This book helps clinicians understand how to assess for and recognize addictive behaviors and their consequences. The focus is on the types of client's psychotherapists are most likely to see, that is, client's who come into treatment asking for help with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, or marital problems. Addictive behaviors are defined broadly to include substance-based addictions and those that arise from excessive behaviors, also know as process addictions.

This book is intended for professional in the mental health fields who, whether they currently know it or not, work with persons who have or may develop addictions. This book will help them identify a client’s addictive use of a mood-altering substance or behavior and its impact on the process and outcome of psychotherapy. Attention is paid to the reasons why addictions often go unrecognized in psychotherapy. This book is an excellent resource for learning about structured as well as interview-based methods of addiction assessment. The assessment process is presented in a manner that can be seamlessly integrated into the ongoing dialogue between patient and treatment provider.

Educational Objectives

• Be better prepared to conduct assessments of substance use
• Have an increased ability to motivate patients to change
• Be more skilled at detecting hidden addictions
• Have a greater repertoire for working toward mutually agreed-on goals of abstinence or harm reduction
• Have a better understanding of process addictions

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The book is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.