This text investigates the complex interplay between individual substance use disorders and the broader social, legal, and clinical systems that influence treatment outcomes. Authors C. Aaron McNeece and Diana M. DiNitto, both established scholars in social work and public policy, utilize a systems-theory framework to analyze how family dynamics, community resources, and legislative policies shape the recovery process. By integrating theoretical models with practical case studies, the authors argue that effective intervention requires a holistic understanding of the patient's environment rather than a singular focus on the individual's pathology.

This work is regarded as a foundational academic resource for students and practitioners in the fields of social work and clinical psychology. The integration of a casebook provides a necessary bridge between abstract systems theory and the practical realities of addiction treatment.