Review of A history of alcoholism.

Reviews the book, A history of alcoholism by Jean-Charles Sournia (1990). This book was first published in French in 1986, and this English translation was published in 1990. The book consists of 12 chapters divided into 3 parts. The first 3 chapters cover a period of 19 centuries, ending at approximately 1850. Included in these 3 chapters are materials pertaining to alcohol use and drunkenness in antiquity and drinking throughout Europe and in the United States during the 1700s and into the mid-1800s. The second part of the book, composed of 5 chapters, covers the following 100 years. It includes chapters on the Swedish physician Magnus Huss, the evolution of drinking patterns in several European countries (with a particular focus on France), alcohol and medicine, and the development and activities of temperance societies. The third and final part includes 4 chapters and covers the years since 1950, a period that has witnessed many advances in research on alcohol effects, risk markers, treatment, and prevention. The strongest section of the book is the first part, which provides an overview on the history of alcoholism. This section also provides a variety of interesting notions about alcohol use from the Ancient Greek world, in which wine played an important role. The book starts out strong and provides an interesting and readable perspective on the history of drunkenness and alcoholism. The last third of the book loses steam, direction, and focus, though. However, for the reader interested in a historical overview, the first two thirds of this volume are enjoyable and recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Moderation as a goal or outcome of treatment for alcohol problems: A dialogue.

Reviews the book, Moderation as a goal or outcome of treatment for alcohol problems: A dialogue edited by Mark B. Sobell and Linda C. Sobell (1987). The papers were originally published as a separate volume of Drugs and Society in 1986. In addition to the six original papers that deal with moderate drinking as both a treatment goal and a treatment outcome, the volume includes a Preface, a Foreword, and a concluding chapter that provide needed perspective on these important, if not contentious, issues. This is a lively and interesting collection of essays, which will amuse the curious, confuse the dogmatists, and confound the critics. Consider advocates of moderation goals admitting the validity of the disease concept, representatives of the total abstinence camp suggesting why moderation outcomes may indeed be valid, cognitive behavioral therapists arguing cogently for abstinence-oriented treatment (which they do more often than moderation treatments anyway), clinical psychologists arguing that their profession must accept abstinence as a treatment goal before they can expect to have an impact on the health care delivery system, and behavioral theorists openly espousing cognitive mediators and motivational constructs while arguing that their approach relies only on "observable" data. These and even more ideological incongruities are in store for the patient and attentive reader. The most disappointing impression that emerges from a cumulative reading of this volume is that behavioral psychology has not lived up to its promises and promise. Although these chapters make an excellent case for the potential contributions of behavior theory to both traditional and innovative treatment approaches, they suffer from the lack of a coherent concept of alcoholism to rival the dominant disease concept. Nowhere in these papers is there a credible theory of alcoholism, nor are there any clear attempts to interpret the dependence syndrome concept, which has become a dominant organizing principle in diagnosis and treatment in terms of its origins in psychological learning theory. Furthermore, little recognition is given to other relevant variables that need to be taken into account in treating problem drinkers with moderation goals, such as possible genetic vulnerabilities and the importance of psychiatric disorder. To end on a positive note, the reader will find that the goal of moderation is apparent in this volume in more ways than its title would imply. Gone is the stridency and contentiousness that have invited the intemperate critics of behaviorism to ignore its message. It is unfortunate that a real dialogue could not have been conducted with more of the advocates of abstinence-oriented treatment invited to present their arguments. Judging from the contents of this book, the commonalities would have been sufficient to begin a vitally needed rapprochement between the social, behavioral, biological, and political constituencies in this field. Nevertheless, Mark and Linda Sobell are to be complemented for initiating the dialogue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychological theories of drinking and alcoholism.

Reviews the book, Psychological theories of drinking and alcoholism edited by Howard T. Blane and Kenneth E. Leonard (1987). This volume presents different psychological elements in alcoholism and theories underlining a variety of sources of the motivation to drink. The volume is thus a sign of the maturing of psychology's view of alcoholism and of the creation of real bodies of data and a firm foundation for understanding alcoholism from a psychological perspective. The editors, Blane and Leonard, arrange nine bodies of psychological theory and research about drinking and alcoholism into two sections: Traditional Approaches and Recent Theoretical Models. The chapters do not deal with equivalent kinds of theories; the theories differ not only in their scope but in their level of analysis. Nonetheless, given the differences in the material and the amount to be reviewed, the volume accomplishes very well what it sets out to do. The presentations are inclusive and generally well written. They organize largely distinct areas of psychological knowledge into accessible chapters. The contributors give attention not only to theory and data but also to clinical applications of the theories. In nearly all cases, the chapters serve as perhaps the best available surveys of the topics, making this an invaluable teaching tool and reference book. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Statistics of Alcohol Use and Alcoholism in Canada.

Reviews the book, Statistics of Alcohol Use and Alcoholism in Canada. 1871-1956: First Report by R. E. Popham & W. Schmidt (1970). This volume is the first in what is proposed as an annual census of alcoholism undertaken by the Alcoholism Research Foundation of Ontario. The report includes cataloguing of alcohol statistics by (a) size and characteristics of the drinking population, (b) apparent consumption of alcoholic beverages, (c) convictions for offences involving alcohol, (d) statistics relating to the prevalence of alcoholism and (e) census population estimates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of From denial to recovery: Counseling problem drinkers, alcoholics, and their families.

Reviews the book, From denial to recovery: Counseling problem drinkers, alcoholics, and their families by Lawrence Metzger (see record 1987-98723-000). This book admirably complies with the author's stated reason for writing it: "A compelling reason for writing this book is to aid care givers who may have avoided or been baffled by alcoholic clients in the past. Their lack of training and expertise in dealing with this problem has meant that alcoholics and their family members...have been neglected to the point where the problem simply becomes self-perpetuating and expands generationally." To this end, this book can serve as an excellent introduction to the field of alcoholism treatment for practitioners trained in the behavioral sciences. Unlike many works in the alcoholism literature, this book is properly annotated and, to a large degree, research based. As such, it will appeal to practitioners with a scientific background. The author proceeds to give an excellent overview of the current state of the art in alcoholism treatment. None of the particular criticisms noted should detract from these general observations. Overall, the major strength of this work is its explication of the details of alcoholism treatment in a format which will be palatable to students of the behavioral sciences. It would be an excellent addition to courses on addictions treatment. The most specific strengths of this work are in the diagnostic formulation for differentiating levels of alcohol abuse and the explication of a very thorough alcoholism diagnostic interview. In my view, if the reader can remember that (a) alcoholism is not caused by bad genes, (b) patients who have blackouts must abstain from alcohol, and (c) the self-help movements are the primary treatment modalities for addictions, then this work will be an excellent addition to any library on alcoholism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Alcohol and substance abuse in adolescence.

Reviews the book, Alcohol and substance abuse in adolescence edited by J. S. Brock, D. J. Lettieri, D. W. Brook, and Barry Stimmell (1985). The introductory "editorial" in this volume sets three goals which sound more like a handbook: elucidate the reasons why youth turn to drugs, how to manage those afflicted and how to educate for prevention. The papers focus largely on the first, and leave the latter two for the readers to infer. Most of the usual themes of adolescent drug use are covered: the influence of peer groups, the influence (or lack thereof) of parents, psychological development of identity and individuation. Drug use is discussed in relation to social influences, personality dynamics and adolescent development and maturation. However, the authors seem to equate any adolescent drug use (particularly marijuana) with excessive involvement. Surely it is important to examine the variations in why and how various drugs are used by that age group. It remains for others to explore the boundaries between drug use and abuse, to identify high risk patterns and to develop strategies to promote normal, healthy maturation of adolescents in a drug-drenched society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Epilepsy: A handbook for the mental health professional.

Reviews the book, Epilepsy: A handbook for the mental health professional edited by Harry Sands (1982). The editor has gathered 10 contributors, each with a wealth of experience in the area of psychological issues in epilepsy. The book is designed to provide necessary information about epilepsy to "the core mental health discipline: psychology, psychiatry, social work, and psychiatric nursing, and to other collaborating disciplines such as rehabilitation and counseling." It certainly achieves this goal and has the potential of becoming a major reference source as well as textbook in the field. The book could be used as a handbook and reference book for specific problems with epileptics. However, its real strength is its potential use as a unified and comprehensive textbook on a broad range of rehabilitation psychology issues with the epileptic. As a text, it would be appropriate for a senior undergraduate-level or graduate-level course within the broad area of medical psychology. Many of the psychological principles and intervention strategies are applicable to other disabilities. Thus, if educators wish, they can use these chapters as a core model to be augmented by other references to other disabilities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of When AA doesn't work for you: Rational steps to quitting alcohol.

Reviews the book, When AA doesn't work for you: Rational steps to quitting alcohol by Albert Ellis and Emmett Velten (1992). Ellis and Velten have written a practical self-help guide for the problem drinker who wants to stop drinking. It will be of particular interest to the individual who rejects Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and is looking for an alternative approach to recovery. In this application of the principles of Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) to substance abuse problems, the authors provide a compendium of techniques that will be appreciated by clinicians and laypersons alike. The central idea presented here is that the primary cause of problem drinking lies in the individual's belief system; specifically, the authors state that addictions and other emotional disturbances occur when "you take your preferences and desires for healthy goals (such as success, approval, comfort, and pleasure) and you turn them into strong, rigid, shoulds, oughts, musts, and commands (p. 6)." Most professionals in the addictions field would probably argue for a more complex view of the etiology of alcoholism which includes consideration of biological, social, and a variety of psychological factors. However, it is possible to recognize this book's practical utility while disagreeing with some of the authors' theoretical assertions. This book is likely to be most palatable to those who share the authors' theoretical orientation and who accept the Ellisonian principle of "omnipotence of thought." Professionals with psychodynamic backgrounds will probably find the strong devaluation of the role of insight, lack of attention to unconscious processes, and minimization of the contribution of early childhood experiences to present-day difficulties objectionable. Strong advocates of Alcoholics Anonymous are also likely to have serious disagreements with the approach presented here. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Theory and problems of adolescent development.

Reviews "Theory and problems of adolescent development," by David P. Ausubel (see record 1955-00581-000). Unlike most other books in this area, this book offers a systematic presentation of psychological knowledge woven around a dynamic point of view. It is a scholarly book written in language that makes for easy and interesting reading. The author opens his book with an organized set of arguments designed to convince his readers that there is justification for a book on the "Psychology of Adolescent Development." His major premise states that "adolescence is treated as a separate developmental period not because it covers a decade but because it spans an interval in which distinctive changes occur in a biosocial status of the human organism. The author has marshaled his psychological knowledge and psychiatric experience into a well-organized book. Dr. Ausubel quotes freely from other authors and from his own writings and research. There are extensive references contained in the bibliography at the end of each chapter. Although the author states that "this book is primarily intended as an advanced textbook in adolescent psychology for graduate students in psychology and education," it would appear that this book is written with sufficient clarity and nontechnical language to be used in any college course dealing with adolescent behavior. It would be especially desirable in clinically-oriented courses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Animal models for psychiatry.

Reviews the book, Animal models for psychiatry by J. D. Keehn (1986). The topic of this book is timely, for the use of nonhuman laboratory animals in behavioural research has become a controversial issue. As an expert on ethical issues in psychological research, Keehn is an appropriate person to examine and summarize the role of nonhuman species in the study of abnormal behaviour. In the first section of the book, Keehn attempts to evaluate the ethics of behavioural experimentation with nonhuman subjects and to summarize several principles of humane experimental procedures. In the second part of the book he catalogues various clinical syndromes in nonhumans and describes various experimental paradigms that he believes are appropriate for the study of "psychiatric" disorders. As a defence of animal research and a summary of animal syndromes, the book is successful. As a summary of animal models and a guide for the researcher, both novice and experienced, I found the book disappointing on two scores. First, the book is not held together by any theoretical glue but rather seems more of a catalogue of examples of psychopathology in nonhumans. My second disappointment comes from the author's uneven emphasis on different disorders. Overall, I enjoyed the book and feel it is a useful volume. It provides an extensive summary of examples of psychopathology in nonhumans and illustrates the usefulness of behavioural studies as models of neurotic conditions in particular. Further, it argues forcefully for the importance of behavioural research in the study of mental disorders and could serve as a good place for undergraduates to read about the issues involved in animal research. The book falls short, however, as a "must have" volume for those active researchers or clinicians. Unfortunately, it offers us little insight into the nature of psychopathologic behaviour in either human or nonhuman subjects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Comprehensive handbook of psychotherapy integration.

Reviews the book, Comprehensive handbook of psychotherapy integration by George Stricker and Jerold R. Gold (see record 1993-97695-000). In the Preface to this text, the editors express their expectation that "this volume will serve as an up-to-date and exhaustive overview of the status of ongoing scholarly and clinical work in the integration of the major schools of psychotherapy" (p. ix). Such introductory comments are commonly found in the "handbook" genre, yet such expectations are seldom met to the satisfaction of many reviewers. Nevertheless, with an open mind I plunged into this 560-page, doubled-columned, 37-chapter volume. I will admit that I was somewhat devilishly compelled to find some topic mat I could consider less than exhaustively reviewed. Well, did I find the volume exhaustive? The answer is yes! This is a marvelous volume. It should be mandatory reading for students in advanced counseling and psychotherapy courses. Initially, one would think its value is as a reference text, and indeed, all practicing psychotherapists should have a copy of this volume on their shelves. But, this volume provides such a useful series of pragmatic chapters, I believe that advanced students would prosper as well. True integration occurs on both the theoretical and practical levels. This is the first book that I have seen that provides the reader with exhaustive perspectives on both. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism (second edition).

Reviews the book, The diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism (second edition) edited by Jack H. Mendelson and Nancy K. Mello (1985). This text is designed to be an authoritative handbook for practitioners in the field of alcohol abuse or a comprehensive textbook for graduate students. The target audience is physicians, nurses, psychologists, alcoholism counselors, social workers, and others involved in assessing and treating alcohol abuse. One way in which this text differs from many on the market is in its reliance on methodologically sound research as the basis for the recommendations and conclusions in most of the chapters, including objective discussions of controversial issues where the research data challenge commonly accepted assumptions in the alcohol field. The second edition of this volume provides valuable updating and expansion of the information presented in the widely used first edition. Overall, the second edition of this volume remains a leader in the field and will be valuable as a handbook for the clinician or textbook for the graduate seminar. The strengths of this volume are in the chapters that rely on a thorough knowledge of methodologically sound research, presented in a way that will be acceptable to clinical practitioners. Paraprofessionals may find this hard to read but advanced professionals will find the text useful. This edition remains superior to any other single resource which I can think of in the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Compte rendu d'Les femmes et l'alcool en Amérique du nord et au Québec.

Reviews the book, Les femmes et l'alcool en Amérique du nord et au Québec by Nadeau Louise, Céline Mercier, and Lise Bourgeois (1984). This monograph consists of eight chapters which cover the subject of alcoholism among women and is the result of a subsidy of research by the ministry for the Social Affairs of Quebec. This study is one of a kind in that it primarily discusses women and their dependence towards alcohol. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The psychology of today's woman: New psychoanalytic visions.

Reviews the book, The psychology of today's woman: New psychoanalytic visions, edited by Toni Bernay and Dorothy W. Cantor (see record 1989-98207-000). The contributors introduce this work with their concern about the applicability of analytic theory to the changing realities of today's women, questioning the idea that women's behavior is either "sick" or "well." The book, divided into four sections, reexamines and reframes conventional conceptions under four headings: Traditional Visions of Femininity Reassessed; New Visions of Femininity; Today's Women; and Therapeutic Relationships. There are some important populations of women omitted or treated only in passing in this collection of essays, for example, cross-cultural therapy, treatment of abuse and incest victims, alcoholism, eating and sexual disorders, a feminist approach to the treatment of depression, and lesbianism. Nevertheless, there are many innovative approaches to a variety of problems and this book, oriented for practitioners as well as students and researchers, provides fresh models for psychoanalytically oriented therapy for women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The science of color.

Reviews the book "The science of color" by the Committee on Colorimetry of the Optical Society of America (see record 1953-07592-000). This is called "the definitive book on color for scientists, artists, manufacturers and students." The discussion is introduced by a historical account of the use of color by prehistoric man and in ancient civilizations. This is followed by accounts of the philosophy of color, the anatomy and physiology of color vision, and the psychology of color. The last three chapters are concerned with the psychophysics of color and colorimetry. Essentially, this book is a basic treatise on color and color vision dealing with the physical, physiological, and psychological aspects of the problem. Overall, the reviewer notes that the authors have produced a relatively readable book on a highly technical subject. Most people interested in color, either casually or professionally, will enjoy and profit by reading parts or all of this treatise. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Group psychotherapy with addicted populations.

Reviews the book, Group psychotherapy with addicted populations by Philip J. Flores (1988). Dr. Flores has written a handbook which provides a well-documented overview on abstinence-oriented group psychotherapy for chemically (i.e., alcohol and drug) dependent populations. Practitioners, teachers, and students in a variety of disciplines will appreciate this volume's integration of diverse perspectives and also its detailed index. Overall, the reviewer feels that the book has merit. The reviewer found it well written with an admirable combination of conversational and scholarly styles and excellent use of case illustrations. There is information in this volume of value to the novice as well as the experienced group therapist. This book, however, has some flaws and notable omissions. First, the words "addicted populations" in the title may mislead some, who may not realize that the focus is primarily on alcohol and secondarily on illicit drugs, while other habitual or compulsive behaviors (cigarette smoking, eating disorders, etc.) are not mentioned at all. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The organization of behavior: A neuropsychological theory.

Reviews the book, The organization of behavior: A neuropsychological theory by Donald O. Hebb (2002). Although scientists and philosophers had long speculated about the involvement of biological factors in psychological phenomena, it was not until the 20th century and the publication of The organization of behavior in 1949 that Physiological Psychology emerged as an active field of scientific research. The book also served as a launching pad for revolutionary developments in a wide range of other fields. What can be said to have emerged from the publication of this volume in 1949? Hebb had produced the first comprehensive theory about how brain activity might produce various complex psychological phenomena. The field of biopsychology did emerge and the widely held view that psychological functioning was too complex to have its roots in chemistry and physiology of the brain was discredited. His theorizing did stimulate transdisciplinary research. A significant number of biological scientists began to ask questions about the brain that were relevant to the understanding of psychological processes such as learning and memory. It also resulted in a change in the philosophic outlook of behavioural scientists. Models of thinking began to be built out of neurocircuits as scholars adopted a monistic position about mind and brain. Undergraduates and graduate students should be very grateful to Richard Brown and Peter Milner for their efforts in re-publishing this seminal book. The arguments outlined in the book remain just as compelling and transparent as they were 40 years ago. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Intercultural counselling and assessment: Global perspectives.

Reviews the book, Intercultural Counselling and Assessment: Global Perspectives edited by Ronald J. Samuda and Aaron Wolfgang (1985). Intercultural Counselling and Assessment is an edited volume of papers presented to an invited Symposium on Intercultural Counselling held at Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario, 1983. The intention of the publication, as stated by the editors, was to fill the gap in guidelines and methods in intercultural counselling by providing source material that is both theoretical and practical. The book is geared to professionals in the field of education, psychology, and social work, with the goal of engendering "greater sensitivity and a more professional approach to the task of coping with an increasingly varied and mixed population of students in schools" (p. xvii). The strength of the book lies in its comprehensive coverage. The philosophy of counselling conveyed in the book reflects the orientation of multiculturalism in Canadian immigration policy. Six chapters address the issues and answers in counselling specific ethnic and cultural groups, including Chinese immigrants, South Asian immigrants, West Indian immigrants, European immigrants, Native Canadians, and foreign students. Another six chapters provide the background and guidelines for counselling minorities in specific environments, such as in employment, correctional service, disability service, and education. It is a comprehensive volume and has highlighted the important issues that counsellors should become familiar with in an intercultural society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)