Description
Book SynopsisOffers an introduction to the action that various drugs have on the brain and behaviour. This book covers drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, LSD and Ecstacy, opiates, CNS stimulants, as well as clinical medications.
Trade Review"...useful resource for a wider range of health and social care staff...takes a constructively critical approach to mainstream assumptions..." (Care and Health, 17th August, 2004)
“…really helps the reader to understand both conditions and treatments…a very informative and useful resource...” (Accident & Emergency Nursing, No.13, 2005)
“The coverage of the behavioural effects of a number of recreational substances is clear and informative, with particularly fine chapters on nicotine and cannabis” (Psychological Medicine, Vol.35 2005)
Table of ContentsAbout the authors ix
Preface xi
Part I Drugs and Their Actions 1
1 Psychoactive drugs: introduction and overview 3
2 The brain, neurons and neurotransmission 9
3 Principles of drug action 25
Part II Non-medical Use of Psychoactive Drugs 39
4 CNS stimulants: amphetamine, cocaine and caffeine 41
5 Nicotine and cigarette smoking 55
6 LSD and Ecstasy/MDMA 71
7 Cannabis 85
8 Heroin and opiates 103
9 CNS depressants: alcohol, barbiturates and benzodiazepines 119
10 Alcoholism and drug dependence 133
Part III Clinical and Medicinal Use of Drugs 151
11 Antipsychotics for schizophrenia 153
12 Antidepressants and mood stabilisers 171
13 Nootropics for Alzheimer’s disease 187
14 Cognitive enhancers 203
Part IV Final Overview 219
15 Current knowledge and future possibilities 221
Glossary 235
Key psychopharmacology and addiction journals 251
Internet sources of information about psychoactive drugs 253
References 257
Index 291
