Substance use disorders commonly co-occur with mood disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder) and may be due to the direct effects of illicit substances, such as intoxication and withdrawal, or due to effects stemming from chronic use, including substance-induced mood disorders. Self-medication of mood disorders with legal or illicit substances is highly prevalent. Careful assessment of patients is necessary to determine whether a co-occurring disorder is due to substance use or a separate diagnosis that requires independent treatment. Many depressive symptoms may resolve with treatment of the substance use disorder. Independent mood disorders can be treated with behavioral therapy and standard pharmacological therapy. Some mood disorder medications are also effective for substance use disorders. Some substances that have historically been used recreationally are being studied as possible treatments for mood disorders.

This chapter considers ascetic experience. It provides historical background for the ascetic movement in the early centuries of Christianity and highlights the texts that can serve as sources for the examination of this type of experience. It shows that ascetic experience is characterized by processes of withdrawal and repentance, both physical and emotional, which try to eliminate temptation, combat passions, and purify the heart. This is achieved through practices of vigilance and discernment that involve a close monitoring of emotions and patterns of thought and action. Such practices result in a purification and reorientation of the self that move through self-denial and self-control to transformation. Ascetic experience thus emerges as a way of grappling with the deeply experienced shortcomings of the human condition through processes of abnegation and a radical break with “ordinary” life.

When an individual has been consuming opioids for an extended period, a phenomenon known as physical dependence occurs. Because of physical dependence, when the opioids are discontinued abruptly, or the dosage is dropped significantly, the individual experiences withdrawal through the process of detoxification. Historically, people were forced to endure withdrawal symptoms without medical treatment in jail cells, drunk tanks, or compulsory treatment centers. Nowadays, withdrawal management includes education, treatment of withdrawal symptoms, and referrals for further care, which is almost always required for individuals to achieve long-term sobriety. Inpatient and residential treatment are two options for care after detoxification, and various individual factors must be considered when choosing the best type of treatment for that person.

Before the 20th century, most rules of international law were in the form of customary international law. Since then, the increased complexity of international relations and rapid international development have led to a substantial growth in the number and diversity of treaties. Article 38(1)(a) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice (‘ICJ Statute’) recognises treaties as a (material) source of international law by referring to ‘international conventions, whether general or particular, establishing rules expressly recognized by the contesting states’. Treaties now regulate trade, communications, environmental protection, military cooperation and defence, and human rights, to name but a few of the myriad topics. International environmental law, for example, is almost entirely governed by treaties, and international trade, investment and communications ‘are unimaginable without treaties’. The main rules in the law of treaties are contained in the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (‘VCLT’), which governs treaty relations between states and is the focus of this chapter.

International organisations include global organisations such as the United Nations and regional organisations such as the European Union. The chapter examines constituent instruments and their interpretation, membership (which may include non-state entities) and withdrawal, including the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. International organisations have the capacity to enter into treaties but may only conclude agreements in those areas in which they are competent to act. The Vienna Convention of 1986 adapts the rules of the 1969 Convention to apply to international organisations, but it is not yet in force. The chapter examines bodies which play a role in recommending or negotiating treaty texts (including the United Nations, UN Sixth Committee and the International Law Commission) and those which play a role in settling disputes (such as the International Court of Justice) and in monitoring compliance (such as the Human Rights Committee). It looks at special cases, including the OSCE, Commonwealth and European Union.

A common care location for seizure and epilepsy patients is the emergency department and inpatient setting. A thorough history to discern a specific diagnosis and localization guides testing and treatment decisions. These decisions include the need for additional imaging/laboratory testing and whether to start an antiseizure medicine (ASM). Electroencephalograms (EEGs) are often required with time length depending on clinical question. If an epilepsy diagnosis is certain without clear localization, one hour of testing is preferred. If the question (or diagnosis) is status epilepticus, 24-hour EEG is indicated. For patients with known epilepsy, ASM alteration can occur for seizures with appropriate compliance. If there is noncompliance, an ASM increase may not be required. The perioperative period requires ASM continuation, although the administration route may change. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment often necessitate dose adjustment. Specific situations like alcohol withdrawal seizures have accepted paradigms to follow and are discussed. Lastly, patients in epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs) are hospitalized for diagnostic reasons with management needs different than other epilepsy patients.

The Book’s theoretical core, Chapter II focuses on two fundamental concepts: the close corporation, and withdrawal. After explaining the close corporation’s distinctive features, I set out its cardinal problems: conflict between minority and majority shareholders, and the enhanced risk of inter-shareholder exploitation. Over time, leading jurisdictions have converged upon shareholder exit as the ultimate solution to shareholder conflict. This Chapter introduces the concept of ‘withdrawal remedies’ as legal mechanisms enabling voluntary shareholder exit from the corporation coupled with an enforceable monetary claim for the value of the withdrawing shareholder’s membership interest. I show how withdrawal remedies are the only class of solutions that 1) resolve intractable conflict and 2) protect minority shareholders. Reasons why shareholders (minority and majority) might find access to withdrawal desirable – and why they might not – are analysed by applying insights and concepts from behavioural law and economics such as ‘sticky defaults’ to the close corporation withdrawal context.

Serial lust killing shows features of addiction, and some killers describe themselves as addicted. Comparisons of lust killing with such addictions as gambling, drugs and consensual sex reveal similarities. Following Robinson and Berridge, it is suggested that the motivational process involves dopamine and exhibits sensitization of incentive salience with experience of killing. Lust killing shows several common properties with other addictions: seeking to repeat the first ‘high’, escalation, increased wanting over time, gateway activities (soft drugs → hard drugs;rape → killing), ambivalence in engaging, stress increases the tendency to engage in the addictive activity, a sudden high often followed by an aversive condition, craving and a temporary correction of such feelings as hopelessness, lacking control and powerlessness. The urge to kill can suddenly occupy the conscious mind. Lust killers commonly consume alcohol in association with killing. Comparisons reveal some common properties between lust killing and war-time killing.

This chapter focuses on the rules set out in the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT). The chapter begins with the concept of a treaty, before discussing treatymaking, with a particular focus on the conclusion of treaties, their entry into force, and reservations to treaties. The chapter then delves into how treaties operate -- namely, their scope of application and their interpretation. Finally, this chapter looks at the invalidity, suspension, and termination of treaties.

This chapter focuses on the rules set out in the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT). The chapter begins with the concept of a treaty, before discussing treatymaking, with a particular focus on the conclusion of treaties, their entry into force, and reservations to treaties. The chapter then delves into how treaties operate -- namely, their scope of application and their interpretation. Finally, this chapter looks at the invalidity, suspension, and termination of treaties.

Benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and gabapentinoids are commonly prescribed medications with multiple indications that have the potential for misuse and dependence. Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor, resulting in sedative, anxiolytic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant properties. The ‘Z-drugs’ (zopiclone and zolpidem) are non-benzodiazepine hypnotics that also have an agonist effect at the GABA-A receptor. The gabapentinoids (pregabalin and gabapentin) act to decrease central neuronal excitability by binding to α2-δ protein subunits of voltage-activated calcium channels on the neuronal membrane. They were initially marketed as antiepileptic drugs, but are now licensed for use in neuropathic pain and generalised anxiety disorder. This chapter considers each class in turn, exploring the pharmacokinetics, metabolism and potential desired effects that lead to misuse. A practical method for assessing people with potential dependence is described for each substance, as well as strategies to support stabilisation, withdrawal and relapse prevention.