Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals
(First Edition)
©2026, 210 pages
Paperback list price: $49.95
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Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals is designed to bridge the knowledge gap for undergraduate students entering the helping professions. The book articulates the fundamentals of mental health and substance use, introducing diagnosing methods, levels of care, treatment plans, and case management capabilities. Aimed at bachelor's level education, it adopts a conversational tone supplemented with real-life case studies for practical learning.Filling a gap in the market for effective educational resources at the undergraduate level, the book integrates both mental health and substance use disorder content in a single volume. It functions as either a core or supplemental text and equips students with key insights for client interactions. Features include hands-on information for new professionals, original case studies, ethical considerations, and exercises to foster a full understanding of the subject matter.
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders is an exemplary textbook for undergraduate courses in social work, human services, community mental health, and substance use. It well prepares students entering the helping professionals and who are likely to interact with clients with mental health or substance use disorders.
A Statement from the Author in Recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month 2025
"There is an increasing need for bachelor-level professionals to work with individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. This book provides foundational information that bachelor-level professionals can use to help them understand the basic skills and knowledge required to work in these fields. The hope is that with this gained knowledge, more professionals will demonstrate a willingness to work with individuals struggling with mental health and substance use so they can improve and have a positive impact on themselves, their families, their communities, and, ultimately, their world.
When I was a senior in my social work undergraduate program, I had the opportunity to complete my internship in an outpatient clinic helping individuals who had been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Although I had developed generalist skills in developing relationships, engaging with clients, and completing assessments, I felt as though I was missing the foundational knowledge of working with individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Today, as a professor, I am frequently asked to speak in undergraduate courses about the mental health and substance use treatment professions in order to help students wanting to enter these fields gain critical information that is not always provided in their education.
As the mental health and substance use disorder treatment fields have evolved, bachelor-level students are engaging more directly with individuals diagnosed with mental health and substance use disorders. Although bachelor-level students are unable to diagnose and engage in some of the therapeutic interventions required to treat these disorders, they are still providing a wide range of case management services for these individuals.
This book is aimed at filling gaps in undergraduate education by providing bachelor-level professionals with a basic overview of the mental health and substance use disorder treatment fields. It draws on information from experts in these fields, national and international organizations, peer-reviewed articles, and governmental resources aimed at increasing awareness and providing information to those providing support to individuals diagnosed with a mental health or substance use disorder. Special attention was paid throughout the book to emphasize the impact of mental health and substance use disorders on different marginalized groups.
This book consists of 11 chapters covering a wide range of diverse topics. The first chapter provides an overview of mental health and substance use disorders in the United States. This chapter is followed by chapters describing the roles of different professionals working in the mental health and substance use treatment fields, a brief introduction to medications used to treat individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, skills required to work as a case manager, and resources for those working in these fields. The next part of the book presents an overview of assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based interventions related to working with individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. This part is followed by chapters on understanding the complex topics of trauma, special populations, and co-occurring disorders. The last two chapters focus on obtaining long-term recovery and learning to advocate for long-term support, resources, policies, and laws to support individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Each chapter ends with a review of basic terminology and discussion questions that can be used to stimulate conversation in the classroom."
Sarah Hessenauer, LCSW, Ph.D., is a professor in the Social Work department at Mount Mary University. She has worked as a practitioner and administrator in a variety of mental health and addictions agencies. She is coauthor of Social Work with Groups and Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment.
Other Cognella titles by Sarah Hessenauer:Formats and Bulk Order Pricing for Confirmed Adoptions
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"I had the privilege to review Dr. Sarah Hessenauer's textbook entitled Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals, which is being published by Cognella Academic Publishing. I use the term privilege sincerely, as I found the textbook to be an affirming dissemination of practice wisdom shaped by the current knowledge base. Historically, there has been a disconnect between practitioners who work in mental health and those that work in addictions. Each working in isolation—insulating the knowledge and wisdom gleaned from the work. This textbook blends those fields flawlessly and affirms the value of the work in changing the lives of those struggling with dual diagnosis. The visual aesthetic of the work is welcoming, and the tone of the writing denotes approachability. I highly recommend this textbook for adult learners beginning their educational journey as equally as for new practitioners."
Dr. Jennifer Anderson, MSW, LCSW
Editor of the Journal of Social Service Research
Author of Fostering Grace: Understanding Grief, Loss, Death, Dying, and Bereavement
"Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals serves as a timely and practical resource tailored for emerging professionals entering the complex fields of behavioral health. Written with clarity and purpose, the book addresses the realities of working with individuals affected by mental illness and substance use disorders, while grounding its approach in evidence-based practices and real-world applicability. The well-organized chapters bridge the knowledge gap of emerging professionals to practice by introducing essential terminology, assessment tools, treatment modalities, and ethical considerations. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals is an indispensable tool for those at the start of their careers by highlighting the challenges and rewards of the field with honesty and practical insight, empowering professionals to make meaningful and informed contributions to the lives of those they serve."
Katherine Dreschler, DSW, LCSW-SA, SSW, Online Assistant Professor (Lecturer), The University of Utah, College of Social Work
"Dr. Sarah Hessenauer's book Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to the fields of mental health and substance use for bachelor-level students preparing to enter these professions. The textbook explores a wide range of foundational topics, including the historical context of these fields, diverse treatment approaches, and the roles of various professionals involved in care. Particularly noteworthy is Dr. Hessenauer’s attention to special populations and the disparities that exist in access and treatment—an essential perspective for aspiring social workers. I am thrilled to have this resource to use in my courses as either a core or supplemental textbook."
Leslie Jaber-Wilson, DSW, CAPSW, Professor of Social Work, School of Arts and Sciences, UMass Global
"As an instructor in a Human Services Associate Degree program, I find that many students are eager to help those with substance use issues, but haven’t yet earned the credential with which to provide treatment. Dr. Hessenauer’s book is perfect for my students. After laying out a clearly written overview of the history of mental health and substance use disorders, it gives the reader an idea of the many paths one could take in order to provide treatment. The overview of assessment and diagnosis provides case presentations for anxiety, depression, opioid use, and caffeine and tobacco. I especially appreciate the section on stigma and the use of person-first language. The chapter on evidence-based practices is particularly clear and concise. My students will especially appreciate the chapter on the impact of trauma on our mental health, which includes an overview of ACEs. There is a chapter on considerations for specific populations and intersectionality and a section about treating the unhoused. My favorite chapter, Advocating for Individuals with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, reminds us of the critical importance of advocating for funding, legislation, and supports for our clients with mental health and substance use disorders. Police response to mental health crises is addressed. There are learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter to help students organize the material into digestible amounts of content and to provide clear takeaways. Key terms and discussion questions follow each chapter to engage students in strengthening their critical thinking skills. I highly recommend Hessenauer’s text for both the associate's and bachelor’s level Human Services and Social Work courses."
Kristi S. Wood, MSW, CAPSW, Instructor, Madison College Human Services Associate Degree Program, Madison, WI
"Up until now there have been very limited writings that have sought to provide bachelor-level professionals with a basic overview of the mental health and substance use disorder treatment fields. Fortunately, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders by Dr. Sarah Hessenauer fills this gap. The text covers (in an easy-to-comprehend fashion) a wide range of topics, including the history of mental health and substance use, the wide range of practitioners working in these fields, available treatment approaches, and understanding recovery. This text is a much-needed and very valuable resource!"
Chales Zastrow, Ph.D.
Dr. Jennifer Anderson, MSW, LCSW
Editor of the Journal of Social Service Research
Author of Fostering Grace: Understanding Grief, Loss, Death, Dying, and Bereavement
"Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals serves as a timely and practical resource tailored for emerging professionals entering the complex fields of behavioral health. Written with clarity and purpose, the book addresses the realities of working with individuals affected by mental illness and substance use disorders, while grounding its approach in evidence-based practices and real-world applicability. The well-organized chapters bridge the knowledge gap of emerging professionals to practice by introducing essential terminology, assessment tools, treatment modalities, and ethical considerations. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals is an indispensable tool for those at the start of their careers by highlighting the challenges and rewards of the field with honesty and practical insight, empowering professionals to make meaningful and informed contributions to the lives of those they serve."
Katherine Dreschler, DSW, LCSW-SA, SSW, Online Assistant Professor (Lecturer), The University of Utah, College of Social Work
"Dr. Sarah Hessenauer's book Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to the fields of mental health and substance use for bachelor-level students preparing to enter these professions. The textbook explores a wide range of foundational topics, including the historical context of these fields, diverse treatment approaches, and the roles of various professionals involved in care. Particularly noteworthy is Dr. Hessenauer’s attention to special populations and the disparities that exist in access and treatment—an essential perspective for aspiring social workers. I am thrilled to have this resource to use in my courses as either a core or supplemental textbook."
Leslie Jaber-Wilson, DSW, CAPSW, Professor of Social Work, School of Arts and Sciences, UMass Global
"As an instructor in a Human Services Associate Degree program, I find that many students are eager to help those with substance use issues, but haven’t yet earned the credential with which to provide treatment. Dr. Hessenauer’s book is perfect for my students. After laying out a clearly written overview of the history of mental health and substance use disorders, it gives the reader an idea of the many paths one could take in order to provide treatment. The overview of assessment and diagnosis provides case presentations for anxiety, depression, opioid use, and caffeine and tobacco. I especially appreciate the section on stigma and the use of person-first language. The chapter on evidence-based practices is particularly clear and concise. My students will especially appreciate the chapter on the impact of trauma on our mental health, which includes an overview of ACEs. There is a chapter on considerations for specific populations and intersectionality and a section about treating the unhoused. My favorite chapter, Advocating for Individuals with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, reminds us of the critical importance of advocating for funding, legislation, and supports for our clients with mental health and substance use disorders. Police response to mental health crises is addressed. There are learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter to help students organize the material into digestible amounts of content and to provide clear takeaways. Key terms and discussion questions follow each chapter to engage students in strengthening their critical thinking skills. I highly recommend Hessenauer’s text for both the associate's and bachelor’s level Human Services and Social Work courses."
Kristi S. Wood, MSW, CAPSW, Instructor, Madison College Human Services Associate Degree Program, Madison, WI
"Up until now there have been very limited writings that have sought to provide bachelor-level professionals with a basic overview of the mental health and substance use disorder treatment fields. Fortunately, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders by Dr. Sarah Hessenauer fills this gap. The text covers (in an easy-to-comprehend fashion) a wide range of topics, including the history of mental health and substance use, the wide range of practitioners working in these fields, available treatment approaches, and understanding recovery. This text is a much-needed and very valuable resource!"
Chales Zastrow, Ph.D.
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders is the recipient of a 2025 Graphic Design USA American Inhouse Design Award. Learn more about the honor in the Cognella press release.
