Empirically supported drug treatment for all: Helping a nation get "Clean"

Psyccritiques. 2013;58(45):10.1037/a0034836. doi: 10.1037/a0034836.

Abstract

Reviews the book Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America's Greatest Tragedy by David Sheff. This book provides, in layman's language, an overview of the full range of addiction science including: initiation of substance use, the neuroscience of addiction, prevention, treatment, and drug policy. Sheff has done extensive research for the book, including interviews of both individuals who have been affected by substance use disorders and experts in all aspects of addiction science as well as summaries of up to date empirical literature. The book includes a plan for targeting drug problems in the U.S. at multiple levels including: prevention, treatment, and drug policy. The author describes and encourages the use of empirically supported treatments for substance use disorders. The primary intended audience of the book appears to be individuals who have loved ones with addiction problems. The book is likely less useful for the psychologist who is accustomed to reading primary literature, but it could be a helpful book to which to refer people who may want additional information about substance use disorders and their treatment.