Abstract
Experimentation with drugs that alter mood, thinking, or perception represents a timeless human enterprise. Although largely aimed at the relief of suffering, the utilization of various pharmacological agents also reflects different cultural, religious, and political ideologies. Frequently, implementing effective pharmacological treatments depends more on social issues, economic considerations, and serendipity than on clinical factors. A historical account of the discovery and introduction of psychoactive drugs in the United States highlights these patterns.
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© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York
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Schoonover, S.C., Gelenberg, A.J. (1991). Introduction: The Practice of Pharmacotherapy. In: Gelenberg, A.J., Bassuk, E.L., Schoonover, S.C. (eds) The Practitioner’s Guide to Psychoactive Drugs. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1137-0_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1137-0_1
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