Substance Abuse: Information for School Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists, and Counselors by Gary L. Fisher and Thomas C. Harrison offers a comprehensive and accessible guide to understanding and addressing issues related to substance abuse. Written in a clear and practical style, the book provides essential information for students and professionals in counseling, mental health, and allied fields, focusing on the prevention, treatment, and recovery processes for alcohol and other drug use.
The text explores a range of critical topics, including cultural competence, ethics and confidentiality, co-occurring disorders, behavioral addictions, and the impact of substance abuse on children and families. It combines foundational knowledge with clinically relevant insights, making it an invaluable resource for both students and practicing professionals. Each chapter includes clinical application cases and thought-provoking questions to encourage deeper understanding and discussion.
The latest edition introduces a new chapter on “Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Special Populations,” reflecting the growing need to address diverse populations and complex clinical situations. It also includes updated content on cultural competence, as well as guidance on working with special populations, such as the elderly and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Additionally, it offers expanded discussions on risk factors for substance use among culturally and ethnically diverse groups, enhancing its relevance for modern practice.
For those looking for an interactive learning experience, this title can also be paired with MyLab Counseling, an online platform designed to complement the text. MyLab Counseling engages students through video demonstrations, interactive practice exercises, assessments, and feedback, helping them master key concepts and develop real-world skills for substance abuse counseling.
About the Author:
Gary Fisher is the Founder, first Director, and current Professor for the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies at the University of Nevada, Reno. He was the first Director of the Mountain West Addiction Technology Transfer Center and the Western Region Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies.
In addition to numerous scholarly articles, Dr. Fisher is the author of seven books and the senior editor of the Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery. His textbook, Substance Abuse: Information for School Counselors, Social Workers and Therapists, is in its sixth edition. Dr. Fisher’s most recent book, Understanding Why Addicts are Not All Alike: Recognizing the Types and How Their Differences Affect Intervention and Treatment, was published in 2011.
After receiving a master’s degree in 1974, Dr. Fisher began his professional career as a school psychologist in the Seattle area. He received his Ph.D. in Applied Educational Psychology from the University of Washington in 1982 and accepted a teaching position in 1983 at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is also a licensed psychologist in Nevada.
Thomas Harrison is the Co-Founder and first Director of the Downing Counseling Clinic at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is also former Chair of the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, and the former Associate Dean of the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno.
In addition to publishing scholarly articles, Dr. Harrison has also authored 6 books. His textbooks include Substance Abuse: Information for School Counselors, Social Workers, and Therapists (6th edition) and Consultation for Contemporary Helping Professionals.
Dr. Harrison received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1983. Dr. Harrison developed the University of Florida Athletic Department’s Substance Abuse Program and headed that effort for several years. Dr. Harrison is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and, in addition to his professional duties at the University of Nevada, Reno, he has a private practice in the community.
