Methamphetamine

Growing in popularity more than any other illegal drug, methamphetamine has been shown to produce a paranoid psychotic state, which may recur months or years after use. The first to cover virtually every aspect of amphetamine/methamphetamine use and abuse, this book reviews the history, pharmacology, pathology, and physiology of methamphetamine as well as its use in criminal forensic cases. It addresses Daubert considerations as well as victim/witness credibility, competency to confess and to stand trial, criminal responsibility, extreme emotion as mitigation to murder, and dangerousness. It also details statutes and case law to represent perspectives of both the prosecution and the defense.

Clinicians from many disciplines rely on this definitive reference for its consistent, topical format of case studies and paradigms in crisis resolution. This edition includes chapters on violence in society, infertility, substance abuse, and coverage of Acute Stress Disorder, a new DSM-IV category. Expanded coverage is included on hot topics such as the earthquake in Los Angeles, the Oklahoma City bombing, crisis hotlines, and the latest crisis intervention modalities. A new epilogue outlines the author's vision of the future of crisis intervention. Crisis Intervention Paradigms included at the ends of chapters can be filled out by the reader based on the case study. The completed paradigms can be found in the appendix. New appendixes cover relevant legal & ethical terms, DSM-IV criteria for PTSD and ASD, infertility resources, and the completed paradigms. * A comprehensive, current, and readable look at crisis intervention for nursing students, students in related disciplines, as well as professionals and volunteers throughout the field of health care. * Forty-six paradigms demonstrate the methodology and steps in crisis intervention. * Examines the differences between crisis intervention and other psychotherapeutic approaches to stress the similarities and differences. * Concentrates on the problem-solving process, introduces the reader to basic terminology used in this method of treatment, and explains the intervention paradigm, providing an important tool to the reader. * Examines the legal and ethical issues in psychotherapy, such as sexual harassment and malpractice to prepare the reader for these sensitive situations. * Explores the relatively new area of posttraumatic stress disorder, covering its causes, diagnoses, and treatments, to provide a well-rounded picture. * Focuses on situational crises and the stressful events that can cause them, with case studies from the author's files and theoretical material to illustrate the techniques used by therapists in crisis resolution. * Looks at the changes and crises that occur during developmental and social transitions to prepare the reader for these common crises. * Delves into the concerns of persons with AIDS/HIV, and includes the most current understanding of the disease and all its ramifications. * Examines the burn-out syndrome that is prevalent in today's high-stress environments.

"A fascinating study of how criminal enterprise can infect the very heart of modern capitalism. Here is the backstage world of political influence and organized crime in the world's second largest economy... by far the most detailed and even-handed study of this important and neglected subject."--John W. Dower, author of "Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II

Reviews of original edition:

"A superb study of Japan's underworld that is both entertaining and revealing. The authors miss none of the color and curious detail of the yakuza style, but at the same time go far beyond surface observations."--"Far Eastern Economic Review

"The book is laden with fascinating information, some of it heretofore unavailable in English."--"Washington Post "

"Blend the Mafia with the Masons. Let them simmer a while, then fold in the Ku Klux Klan and you'll have the yakuza. . . . Important and timely. . . "Yakuza "will serve for years as the source document on Japanese organized crime."--"San Jose Mercury,News "

"State-of-the-art investigative reporting. . . must reading for those who consider themselves already highly conversant with yakuza activities. . . disturbing."--"Journal of Asian Studies