First Session Substance Abusers

In denial about their self-destructive behavior-and skilled at hiding it-substance abusers often survive a first psychotherapeutic session virtually undetected. In fact, it has been estimated that those suffering from substance abuse go undiagnosed 80 percent of the time during the initial clinical interview. As a result, instead of creating an alliance with their patients that permits acknowledgment and empathy for the underlying addiction, clinicians are all too often manipulated into recommending initial treatment that is misguided or inappropriate-unknowingly assisting patients in the continuation of their denial.

Now there is an antidote. The First Session with Substance Abusers offers clinicians an innovative plan for conducting an initial session that has proven successful in unearthing substance abuse problems with even the most resistant and manipulative clients. Using the methods outlined in this book, mental health professionals can assess and evaluate the depth and duration of the substance abuse problem and motivate the client to seek the most appropriate approach for treatment-all within the first session.

Written in straightforward language and with a healthy dose of humor, this much-needed resource is filled with the information, illustrative examples, and directions clinicians need to choose the most effective modality of treatment. The authors also reveal how to deal with issues of transference and countertransference, cope with inevitable crises, establish mutual goals, and make the necessary referrals crucial for the ongoing support of recovery.

Authored by a father-and-daughter team of clinical psychologists, The First Session with Substance Abusers brings together Nicholas Cummings' more than forty years' experience working with substance abusers and Janet Cummings' expertise in molecular biology, genetics, and psychopharmacology. Together they have developed a classification of drug abuse that combines the physiological with the psychological and can be applied to a wide variety of individuals and populations, including clients who are men or women, adult or teenager, employed or unemployed, homeless or in prison. With this, clinicians have the advantage of knowing what kind of substance abuse is most likely to occur in an individual or within a particular population. Psychologists, mental health clinicians, and physicians who follow the recommendations in this practical, down-to-earth book can dramatically increase their success recognizing substance abuse in clients who may otherwise go undiagnosed and untreated.

An innovative approach to tearing down the wall of denial

It is during the critical first session with substance abusers that clinicians have the first, and all too often the last, opportunity to break through the wall of denial and create an atmosphere of trust that is so crucial to changing behavior. Written by a father-daughter team of clinical psychologists, The First Session with Substance Abusers outlines a proven plan for conducting an initial session that can uncover substance abuse problems with clients no matter how resistant or manipulative they may be. Applying the methods outlined in this book, psychologists and health professionals can use the first session to assess and evaluate the depth and duration of the substance abuse problem and motivate the client to begin the most appropriate form of treatment.

"Therapists may have failed to detect underlying addictions because they had no compelling model for assessment and treatment. Cummings and Cummings illuminate this previously murky area and provide an easy-to-follow beacon for clinicians of all persuasions. My highest recommendation." —Jeffrey K. Zeig, director, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation

"Full of insights and pearls of clinical wisdom. The Cummings' experience spans over five decades-they have seen trends come and go, and as a result they have rather solid information as to what truly works. Also, since a substantial number of clients seen in psychotherapy settings have substance abuse problems unknown to the therapist, the effective and modern clinician cannot afford not to have this book nearby." —J. Lawrence Thomas, neuropsychologist, New York University Medical Center, and author of Do You Have Attention Deficit Disorder?

"The First Session with Substance Abusers is a book built on the authors' combined 50 years of rich clinical experience. The father-daughter team of Drs. Nick and Janet Cummings have written a book full of practical suggestions, anecdotes, stories, and sage perceptions. For all of those working in the field of substance abuse treatment, this book provides a clear point of view and specific ideas about ways to carry out the challenging task of treating substance abuse." —Simon H. Budman, president, Innovative Training Systems, Inc., and assistant professor, Harvard Medical School Ch

"Drs. Cummings skillfully describe the biopsychosocial ramifications of substance abuse. Anyone who treats substance abusers but is not fully familiar with the facts that this book so eloquently documents is bound to bypass significant assessment-treatment processes-to the detriment of their patients and themselves." —Arnold A. Lazarus, distinguished professor emeritus of psychology, Rutgers University

The book contains no figures.

It is during the critical first session with substance abusers that clinicians have the first, and all too often the last, opportunity to break through the wall of denial and create an atmosphere of trust that is so crucial to changing behavior. Written by a father-daughter team of clinical psychologists, The First Session with Substance Abusers outlines a proven plan for conducting an initial session that can uncover substance abuse problems with clients no matter how resistant or manipulative they may be. Applying the methods outlined in this book, psychologists and health professionals can use the first session to assess and evaluate the depth and duration of the substance abuse problem and motivate the client to begin the most appropriate form of treatment.

Booknews

Offers clinicians an innovative plan for conducting an initial session that can unearth substance abuse problems in resistant and manipulative clients. Written in straightforward language with humor, this resource gives information and examples to help clinicians choose the most effective treatment modality, deal with crises, establish mutual goals, and make necessary referrals. Nicholas Cummings is president of the Foundation for Behavioral Health and teaches at the University of Nevada-Reno. Janet Cummings is president of The Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings Foundation and is in private practice as a psychotherapist. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

NICHOLAS A. CUMMINGS is the president of the Foundation for Behavioral Health and Distinguished Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is the former president of the American Psychological Association, founder of California School of Professional Psychology, and founding CEO of American Biodyne. JANET L. CUMMINGS is president of The Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings Foundation and in the indepAndent practice of psychotherapy in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was formerly a staff psychologist at American Biodyne.Series EditorJeanne Heaton, author of Building Basic Therapeutic Skills, is a psychologist at Ohio University's Counseling and Psychology Services and is in private practice in Athens, Ohio.