Classrooms under the Influence: Addicted Families/Addicted Students.

Addiction, the focus of this book, is a social phenomenon that influences both social and academic issues in the classroom. The book is not simply about students who become addicted to chemical substances or alcohol; it is about the complex effects of addiction on the user and the impact of this addiction on other people in his or her life. Teachers preparing for the classroom are targeted, as well as experienced teachers, other educators, such as administrators and counselors, and professionals who work with young persons in and around schools. Findings of research reports, accompanied by actual stories of addiction, are presented throughout the book. After chapter 1, the remaining chapters follow a template in which a comprehensive overview of addiction as it operates in schools is developed. Chapter 2 gives background information on addiction, addicts, and sources of addiction, while chapter 3 describes how addiction affects classroom instruction. Chapters 4 and 5 describe some of the challenges teachers face and some of the manipulations employed by chemically dependent families. Chapters 6 through 9 offer advice on reactions teachers should avoid, helpful responses to students, classroom plans that help students who live with addicts, and some personal accounts of students and teachers who lived with addiction. Contains 67 references. (RJM)