Concepts of Chemical Dependency

As I read this textbook, I wondered if anyone proof-read it at all. I also wondered if professional reviewers evaluated the concepts for accuracy.I agree with others, who have noted a lack of professionalism; the author asserts his own opinions throughout as though they were fact.I also agree with those who found the footnotes to be pointless and annoying.I was concerned by errors in basic information. For example, from my previous learning of operant conditioning, it appears that the author does not understand positive and negative reinforcement. He makes the mistake of referring to negative reinforcement in the following way (pp. 376-377): "Behaviors that result in a (c) decrease in pleasure or (d) increase in discomfort are said to be a negative reinforcer for that response." This is something that anyone who has taken a basic psychology class should know is an error.It bothers me that this textbook has me second-guessing what it teaches, but it is currently selling for nearly $200. Schools need to stop selecting it as required reading.

The index in this "text" book SUCKS! You can't find anything. The book is generally disorganized, and it is hard to find definitions. The definitions themselves seem to be circular in reasoning and spread over several sentences, up to a paragraph. NO GOOD. DO NOT BUY! New 10th edition out, but I would not spend the money on it either.

Ordered for my college class. It’s a digital download but I should have ordered the book. Kinda hard to read on a kindle but better then waiting forever for delivery.

This book is full of typos, sentence fragments, and run-on sentences. I can hardly believe it is a "teacher's copy"; it would drive any intelligent person crazy.The material covered is unclear and does not sufficiently explain the material.

very nice

Absolutely falling apart so that was unfortunate since I need it the rest of the semester. I really hope I’m not fined at the end for the condition I received it in.

The book itself was fairly good but the index was less than stellar. As a graduate student working on a second Master's-this one in Substance Abuse- it's fair to say I've used a lot of textbooks. Too many topics covered in the text were not listed in the index, making quick retrieval of information impossible.

Let me begin by saying, I am so glad that I did not actually purchase this book (I rented). If I had invested any more of my hard earned money on this travesty, I would be so angry. I needed this book for a class in my Human Services Addictions Specialization program. I have to believe the professor that chose this book did not take any time to actually check it out....he was leaving the program and would not be returning to teach the class anyway, so he did not care. This book is so poorly written that I can't imagine why anyone would even publish it. It makes me question the importance of providing a high level of educational material for college students versus profits...the Almighty Dollar. It is filled with errors of all types, repetitive words and phrases and deplorable grammar. The writing approach is so illogical, reading word for word is pointless, not to mention...painful. Much of the information is random, fairly meaningless and the way in which it is presented brings its accuracy and relevance into question. The power points provided as support material for the book are the worst example of professionalism that I have ever seen! I am not saying these things as a personal attack on anyone....all I know is what I have seen and experienced with this book. Someone should be ashamed and more importantly, someone should be held accountable for offering such a poor excuse as material for higher learning.

Very pleased. Text arrived in ample time and the process was on point. Thank you