From a pioneer in the field of cocaine addiction and treatment comes this new guide that explores one of today's most disturbing social developments: an established "underclass" of young adults and teenagers who are chronically addicted to alcohol and drugs. Dr. C. C. Nuckols shows how this problem not only means disaster for addicts and their families, but for all of society. Massive addiction problems are generating a generation of high school dropouts with no vocational skills, an alarming increase in suicide and violent crime, and a growing populace of physically, emotionally, and mentally deficient citizens. Based on Nuckols' extensive clinical experience, "Children in Pain" defines and examines the roots of the teenage and young adult addiction crisis and describes in detail ways of dealing with it. Readers learn how high-risk childhood environments and disruptive family relationships lead to adolescent drug and alcohol abuse, how ensuing addictions exacerbate problems outside of the home, and, finally, what measures can be taken to treat the myriad of personality disorders that result. Nuckols also discusses the impact of new drugs such as "crack" and "ice" and the often perilous task of trying to work with members of a dysfunctional home.

Table of Contents:
The kids - what they're like; the problems they present clinicians; how they got that way - aversive environments; the new drugs and their effects; psycho/social immaturities; what to do about the drug use; about the aversive environments; about the immaturities; summary, conclusion and future directions.