Ready, Set, Go!: Addiction Management for People in Recovery

Publisher Marketing: This book is for people in recovery. We ask and answer basic questions about addiction, relapse, and recovery. We believe addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry, characterized by craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance. Genetics, together with bio-psycho-social-spiritual factors, account for the likelihood a person will develop an addiction or related disorder. Relapse happens: a return to drinking, using, other addictive behavior, or an increase in harm from addiction. Yet, recovery is an idea whose time has come. Recovery is a different, better way of life with purpose and meaning. We suggest addiction management as a way recovering people can maintain change (abstinence or harm reduction), reduce risks for relapse, prevent relapse, develop a recovery lifestyle, confront relapse when necessary, and achieve well-being. Current research, recognized theories, and the lived experiences of hundreds of people in recovery ground and guide book content. The book has three parts and fifteen chapters. A person in recovery introduces each chapter. We show how to develop, implement, and evaluate addiction management plans. Each chapter ends with summary statements and addiction management applications. References and a list of websites complete the book. Family and friends of recovering people will find the material useful. Addiction professionals can use the book to help clients realize recovery and prevent relapse. Are you ready? Get set. Go! Contributor Bio:  Rasmussen, Sandra In addition to serving as a faculty member for Walden s psychology programs, Dr. Rasmussen serves as clinical director of Williamsville Wellness, a residential treatment center for individuals dealing with alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions. Her background reflects teaching excellence, practice expertise, management competence, research production, and scholarship. Her book Addiction Treatment: Theory and Practice won the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) Distinguished Book of the Year Award in 2001. Dr. Rasmussen received the Virginia Public Health Association Recognition Award in 2004 for outstanding leadership, commitment and support to the public health of Virginia. The University of Minnesota recognized Dr. Rasmussen from among 12,000 graduates as one of its 100 Distinguished Nursing Alumni. Dr. Rasmussen is the parish nurse for St. Paul Lutheran Church in central Virginia. She is a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Social Change and the Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. Credentials include R. N., L. M. H. C., C. A. S., C. G. A. S.