Patient Education and Counseling, 20 (1993) 49-52 Elsevier Scientilic Publishers Ireland Ltd.

49

Off the Shelf

Addictive Disorders Michael F. Fleming and Kristen Lawton Barry Mosby

Addictive Disorders serves as a functional guide for educating and counseling patients in an active practice setting. Michael Fleming and Kristen Lawton Barry deliver answers to questions that every health care professional should know about the care of persons adversely affected by substance abuse. As a faculty fellow in alcohol and other drugs, I have read countless books on the subject but consider this to be one of the best and most useful.

The text is divided into five parts address- ing a clinical overview of alcohol and drug disorders, identification and treatment of primary addictions, treatment of medical problems associated with alcohol and drug disorders, clinical approaches with specific populations and related medical problems. The appendices are a rich accumulation of ex- cellent screening instruments, terminology, street names of drugs and criteria for mental health disorders. Together, the text and ap- pendices represent an entire resource library in one publication.

This up-to-date book is not only uniquely informative, but interesting as well. The authors use of case studies, for example, adds perspective to topic points. Family issues of enabling and codependence are presented in the case of Barbara, a 41-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis and a history of heavy drinking. In the words of her husband, family

Year Book, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, 1992,439 pp.

and friends ‘all are reluctant to deny her the one thing she seems to enjoy in life.’ Suicidal behaviors of despondency, frustration and hopelessness are all demonstrated by the 30- year-old husband who searches for bullets for his gun while drinking and refusing to talk with anyone. These are just two of many in- teresting case studies presented throughout the text.

The outline format selected by Fleming and Barry is atypical for texts, but does facilitate its use after reading. This book would be in- valuable to educators, both in the classroom and in working with patients in the practice setting. It would also be highly useful to counselors who would benefit especially from chapters 2 and 4. Chapter 2 addresses iden- tification and office management of substance abuse and includes excellent material on bar- riers to treatment, recognition of problems, screening and case finding. Chapter A focuses on treatment and offers an overview of treat- ment programs, community support groups, relapse prevention and issues of confrden- tiality.

One of Addictive Disorders most outstand- ing aspects is the quality of its appendices. Other strengths are found in easy access to information, current bibliographies at the end of each chapter and helpful tools for clinical use. The importance and usefulness of this book to physicians, nurses, social workers,

073%3991/93/$06.00 0 1993 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Printed and Published in Ireland

50

psychologists, alcohol and other drug coun- selors and pharmacists cannot be stressed enough.

Julia Nelson Hagemaster, PhD, RN Assistant Professor School of Nursing University of Kansas Kansas City, Kansas

Geriatric Patient Education Resource Manual Aspen Reference Group Kenneth E. Lawrence (Director) and Sara N. Roe (Editor) Aspen Publishers, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, 1991, vol. 1, 376 pp.

The Geriatric Patient Education Resource Manual is an excellent practical resource guide for professionals, patients and non- professional caregivers. It provides patient education information related to the social, physical and mental health of the geriatric population. Holistic approaches for educating patients in caring for common medical prob- lems comprise the largest section of the manual. Common medical problems range from arthritis, cancer, diabetes to common system-specific diseases such as bronchitis and common surgeries such as hip replace- ment and prostatectomy. Subsequent chapters cover drug therapy, nutrition, oral health, psychological and sociological aspects of aging, communication problems associated with aging, and functional living. A final sec- tion provides family/caregiver resource infor- mation.

The outstanding aspects of the publication are its comprehensiveness and usability. Ac- cessible notebook styling makes each section easily located by tabs. The major section covering common diseases is arranged alpha- betically and contains up-to-date, complete information on diseases and relevant con- siderations for management.

Each section integrates a wealth of current information from major organizations such as AARP, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation and the National Institute on Aging. Information

for the health care provider along with patient and caregiver teaching plans written in com- mon, easy to understand language are includ- ed in each section. Concluding each topic area is a listing of resources such as organizations and publications that would provide addition- al information.

Professionals involved in geriatric health care would find this publication particularly useful for teaching the lifestyle adjustments needed due to health changes. Secondarily, patients and their caregivers will benefit from clear, concise, practical health information, which includes examples and suggestions for managing health changes.

Strengths of the book include its excellent arrangement, multiple exhibits, accessibility of information and ready to use format. The notebook styling allows for ease in adding up- dated information. The caregiver’s guide will be especially useful as many elderly are pro- vided care by family members in .the home. These include practical information for diet changes with recipes and lists of foods to use and avoid and pictures describing transfer techniques.

The resource manual would be improved by listing the major research funding agencies for each area discussed. Also a list of current audiotapes and videotapes was provided in some sections, but was not done consistently. These would be important for all topics and