When this series was conceived, a book on substance abuse, including alcohol and alcoholism, was to be of the highest priority. This priority was a reflection of my view that the subject is often inadequately or insufficient ly taught in many training programs. Few clinicians have had comprehen sive didactic education in this area, despite the frequency with which these problems are encountered in practice. All too often these encounters are in situations in which accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment are of critical im portance. We wanted a book that would be concise and easily readable but also comprehensive in its presentation of the basic principles underlying clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management. It was of particular im portance that the book also serve as an easy reference guide in emergency situations. Marc Schuckit, a man with impeccable credentials as a scholar and an experienced clinician in this field, produced just such a book with his critically acclaimed first edition. That volume rapidly became a resource of great significance for psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and physicians in general. It has been adopted as a text in medical schools and residency train ing, as well as for courses in psychology, emergency medicine, social work, and nursing. The entire volume has been revised and updated to reflect changes in knowledge and clinical practice since the publication of the first edition and in order to keep the comprehensive references current. There is a new chapter on phencyclidine and another on caffeine and nicotine.

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1: An Overview.- 1.1. Introduction.- 1.2. Some Definitions.- 1.3. General Comments about Drug Mechanisms.- 1.4. One Approach to Drug Classification.- 1.5. Alternate Classification Schemes.- 1.6. A Classification of Drug Problems.- 1.7. A General Introduction to Emergency and Crisis Treatment.- 1.8. Onward.- References.- 2: The CNS Depressants.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2 Emergency Problems.- References.- 3: Alcoholism: An Introduction.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Pharmacology of Alcohol.- 3.3 Epidemiology of Drinking and Alcoholism.- 3.4 Natural History of Alcoholism.- 3.5 Etiology.- References.- 4: Alcoholism: Acute Treatment.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Emergency Situations.- References.- 5: Stimulants.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Emergency Problems.- References.- 6: Opiates and Other Analgesics.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Emergency Problems.- 6.3. Rehabilitation.- References.- 7: Cannabinols.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Emergency Problems.- References.- 8: The Hallucinogens and Related Drugs.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Emergency Problems for LSD-Type Drugs.- 8.3 Related Drugs.- References.- 9: Phencyclidine (PCP).- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Emergency Situations for PCP.- References.- 10: Glues, Solvents, and Aerosols.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Emergency Problems.- References.- 11: Over-the-Counter (O/C) and Some Prescription Drugs.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Antihistamine Drugs (Sedatives/Hypnotics).- 11.3 Cold and Allergy Products.- 11.4 Bromides.- 11.5 O/C Analgesics.- 11.6 Laxative Abuse.- 11.7 Stimulants.- 11.8 Weight Control Products.- 11.9 Abuse of Some Prescription Drugs.- 11.10 General Conclusions.- References.- 12: The Xanthines (Caffeine) and Nicotine.- 12.1 General Comments.- 12.2 Xanthines (Caffeine).- 12.3 Nicotine.- References.- 13: Multidrug Misuse.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Emergency Room Situations.- References.- 14: Emergency Problems: A Rapid Overview.- 14.1 Introduction.- 14.2 Panic Reactions.- 14.3 Flashbacks.- 14.4 Toxic Reactions.- 14.5. Psychosis.- 14.6. Organic Brain Syndrome.- 14.7. Drug Withdrawal States.- References.- 15: Rehabilitation.- 15.1. Introduction.- 15.2. A Special Case: Alcoholism.- 15.3. A Special Case: Opiates.- 15.4. A Special Case: Hallucinogens, Stimulants, Depressants, and Multidrug Misuse.- References.