TY - BOOK AU - Stark,Margaret AU - Payne-James,Jason AU - Scott-Ham,Michael TI - Symptoms and signs of substance misuse SN - 9781444181746 (paperback : alk. paper) AV - RC564 .S74 2015 U1 - 616.86 23 PY - 2015///] CY - Boca Raton PB - CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group KW - Substance-Related Disorders KW - diagnosis KW - Handbooks KW - Prescription Drug Misuse KW - therapy N1 - Includes bibliographical references and index N2 - "INTRODUCTION Misuse of both illicit and licit drugs is widespread on a global and massive scale. The term substance misuse is a general term to describe the misuse of drugs. All drugs (those legally obtained or prescribed and those illegally supplied) including alcohol and tobacco have the potential for being misused. Individuals may use drugs occasionally (so-called 'recreational' use), for example at weekends, or may become addicted to, and dependent upon, certain drugs. Drugs can affect all aspects of life including home, relationships, school, college, university, employment, sporting and personal life. The effects of drugs on individuals or institutions are frequently highlighted in news stories, often coated with a veneer of excitement, daring or glamour. This can be very misleading. Unfortunately, whether drug use is recreational, or results in dependence or addiction, each drug will have physical or psychological effects, or a combination of both. Some of these effects may appear positive - e.g. a temporary feeling of well-being and some individuals may be lucky enough to use drugs without any adverse consequences. However for many drug users, adverse consequences are frequently seen, and such effects may be prolonged or fatal, may affect the ability to maintain or seek employment, to travel, and may result in a criminal record. The undesirable and unwanted effects differ from drug to drug. Individuals may describe physical or psychological effects that they feel or experience - these are 'symptoms', or others may see or observe physical effects - these are 'signs'"-- ER -