Relevant psychopharmacological and central nervous system information is presented, the impact of the family and community upon the abuse of drugs is discussed and descriptions of various drugs (alcohol, CNS depressants, hallucinogens, nicotine and marijuana) are provided. Unique to this volume are topics traditionally excluded from other resources, including etiological and explanatory theories, assumptions involved in different treatment modalities and alcohol and drug use patterns related to age, ethnicity and gender.