Karch's Pathology of Drug Abuse

Written in the same accessible manner as previous editions, this sixth edition of Karch's Pathology of Drug Abuse is an essential reference that covers the pathology, toxicology, and pharmacology of commonly abused drugs. It focuses on investigating drug-related deaths, practical approaches to detecting drug abuse, and medical complications associated with each of the abused drugs. Chapters examine cocaine and other naturally occurring stimulants, synthetic stimulants, hallucinogens, and narcotics. The Sixth Edition explains how drugs are analyzed today and provides readers with the information they need to interpret toxicology reports, including confounders to consider before cause of death is determined. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between the autopsy and postmortem toxicology. Too many deaths are attributed to drugs whose presence is only an incidental finding. In fact, cause of death cannot be determined, except in cases of massive overdose through isolated postmortem drug measurement—which often bears only a tenuous relationship to the living. This reality, and the challenge it presents in determining causation of death, is covered extensively. Karch’s Pathology of Drug Abuse, Sixth Edition is an essential desk reference and a must-have resource for toxicology, medical, and forensic pathology practitioners in the field of drug abuse pathology.