Kay Wachuku

Anthology of Monographs on Addiction Studies Kay Wachuku

Much gain has been made in understanding addiction and its treatment in the last two decade. However, training for addiction treatment team (medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, dentists, pharmacists, school and addiction counselors) remains shallow and in most instances completely wanton. Many universities that train addiction treatment team do not offer courses in addiction. This compilation explores major areas of interest in addiction studies. With thorough investigation Dr. Wachuku highlights the role of genetics in addiction. He also emphasizes that other facets such as environmental and social factors are equally worthy of consideration. He delves into societal enabling and codependency issues from a perspective that other addiction researchers have taken for granted. At the eve of the millennium, pharmacotherapy (the use of medication to treat addiction) became a buzzword in addiction treatment field. The use of medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, bupropion, UH232, to mention but a few, promise new hope in lasting 'cure' for addiction. Dr. Wachuku examines this new trend in addiction treatment and offers strong professional opinion on the role of counseling in pharmacotherapy. Dual diagnosis, substance abuse induced mental health problems or mental health problems exacerbated by substance abuse, is another area of treatment that has received considerable attention in recent years. While working as a consultant in a dual diagnosis clinic, Dr. Wachuku saw opportunity for case study to exam different treatment modalities for dual diagnosis. He traces the origin of dual diagnosis comprehensive treatment in the United States, epitomizes the shortcomings of current treatment in the facility he consulted with, and offers solutions to existing problems. Harm reduction is yet another treatment option that has received a mixed welcome. Dr. Wachuku sheds light on the origin of harm