Over the last decade many hundreds of new psychoactive drugs have emerged onto illicit markets. This flood of new drugs has led to clinicians being unsure of the rapidly emerging changing evidence base and uncertain of the best approaches to assessment and clinical management. This book provides a concise, accessible summary of these emerging drugs. By categorizing the hundreds of new drugs by their predominant psychoactive effect - sedative, stimulant and hallucinogenic - the book helps clinicians to manage a drug they are unfamiliar with by using their experience of other drugs with similar psychoactive properties. Written for clinicians from across the frontline, from A&E staff to drug treatment professionals, the authors draw on numerous clinical examples from their own clinical experiences to illustrate aspects of assessment and management. Club drugs and novel psychoactive substances will continue to challenge clinicians and this handbook provides readers with an invaluable introduction to this complex area.

'This book is an invaluable resource in a fast changing and baffling field of psychiatry. It provides an up-to-date, evidence-based guide by leading experts to all you need to know to provide care for those suffering the mental health consequences of novel psychoactive drugs.'

Adrian James - President, Royal College of Psychiatrists

'A very nice reading; very easy to follow and with a clear focus on the clinical issues, e.g. what the practicing clinician … need to know to interact with the client; to make a diagnosis; and identify a proper treatment and management approach. Although the language and the tones here used are straightforward and direct, the content of the document is precise, really updated, and definitely non-judgmental. I particularly enjoyed reading the clinical vignettes; they illustrate a range of complex issues in a way which is simple enough for even the non experienced clinician/non experienced trainee to be able to understand. There are a few sections, e.g. the one on psychedelic phenethylamines and GHB, which are of particular value. The focus on GHB withdrawal is important and detailed.'

Fabrizio Schifano - Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, University of Hertfordshire