"[.] Sussman and Ames, in Drug Abuse: Concepts, Prevention, and Cessation, intend to provide their readers a better understanding of the parameters of drug abuse. [.], the authors present one general systems model that illustrates a process that can lead to and maintain problematic drug use. [.] Overall this is an excellent text on substance abuse and a very useful, accurate, and up-to-date addition to the literature. The depth of coverage of topics is notable. Issues raised are salient, well researched, and well documented.

[.] The impressive resumes of both Sussman and Ames reflect significant achievements in teaching, research, and practice in the arena of substance abuse. They have drawn on this experience to produce a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students in the fields of clinical and health psychology, public health, preventive medicine, nursing, sociology, social work, and others working in chemical dependence programs. [.] The useful charts and diagrams, for example, that of the hypothetical model illustrating the relationship of depression to substance abuse in Chapter 5, are helpful, and the interspersing of photographs is a nice addition. In sum, any deficits are overshadowed by the authors' provision of a thorough, integrative perspective of drug abuse and its prevention and cessation for different contexts and populations." --John S. Wodarski, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol.

53, Release 46, Article 7.