Rotgers, F., Morganstern, J., & Walters, S. T. (Eds.). (2003). Treating substance abuse: Theory and technique (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press. 374 pages. ISBN: 13 978-1-59385-374-7

Treating Substance Abuse: Theory and Technique provides comprehensive and theoretically diverse perspectives on working with clients seeking recovery from substance abuse.

Skilled and experienced clinicians were enlisted to author each chapter of this book and the result is a thorough, theoretically compelling work. Each chapter focuses on one of six major substance-abuse intervention options available to the helping professional: 1) 12-step program, 2) psychodynamic, 3) marital/family, 4) cognitive-behavioural, 5) contingency management and 6) motivational approaches.

With research consistently demonstrating that no single therapeutic method works with all clients; counsellors, social workers, psychologists and other helping professionals will benefit from the multi-theoretical approach employed by the editors of this book. Such an approach makes this text a valuable tool for assisting practitioners in matching their treatment approach with the presenting needs and theory-of-change endorsed by their client.

‘Treating Substance Abuse: Theory and Technique’ provides sufficient theoretical depth to satisfy the interests of beginning and experienced practitioners alike. The information is presented in a manner that is pertinent and practical, employing case studies, transcripts and examples from everyday practice to illustrate the theory. The reader is left feeling informed of the assumptions, clinical focus, strengths and downfalls of each approach. This is a highly recommended text for both student and professional.