Showing papers in "Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly in 2006"
TL;DR: Examining stress and quality of life as a function of time in recovery, and using structural equation modeling to test the hypothesis that social supports, spirituality, religiousness, life meaning, and 12-step affiliation buffer stress toward enhanced life satisfaction, supported the study hypothesis.
Abstract: Many recovering substance users report quitting drugs because they wanted a better life. The road of recovery is the path to a better life but a challenging and stressful path for most. There has been little research among recovering persons in spite of the numbers involved, and most research has focused on substance use outcomes. This study examines stress and quality of life as a function of time in recovery, and uses structural equation modeling to test the hypothesis that social supports, spirituality, religiousness, life meaning, and 12-step affiliation buffer stress toward enhanced life satisfaction. Recovering persons (N = 353) recruited in New York City were mostly inner-city ethnic minority members whose primary substance had been crack or heroin. Longer recovery time was significantly associated with lower stress and with higher quality of life. Findings supported the study hypothesis; the 'buffer' constructs accounted for 22% of the variance in life satisfaction. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.
284 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that religiousness is significantly related to all three offenses studied when other study factors are simultaneously considered, whereas church attendance has a modest relationship to drug use and peer associations are considered.
Abstract: SUMMARY The purpose of the study was to determine if religiousness, instead of church attendance, was related to alcohol consumption, other drug use, and delinquency after considering socio-demographic, familial and peer factors. Many researchers argue that religion only inhibits relative minor, or ascetic, offenses, such as underage consumption of alcohol. They also argue that religion ceases to be related to offenses when more important influences like peer associations are considered. This study consisted of a stratified random sample of 3,551 adolescents, grades seven through nine, from 66 public high schools in a southern state. The findings indicate that religiousness is significantly related to all three offenses studied when other study factors are simultaneously considered, whereas church attendance has a modest relationship to drug use. The treatment implications of these findings are discussed.
47 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an evidence-based psychoeducational group to promote forgiveness, derived from the emotion-replacement model of forgiveness is described and adapted to the treatment of alcohol dependence and abuse within a family context.
Abstract: SUMMARY We describe one theoretical perspective on injustice, unforgiveness, justice, and forgiveness (i.e., an emotional-replacement model) and describe an intervention to promote forgiveness, which is applied to alcohol dependence and abuse. We identify major transgressions within families who deal with alcohol-related problems. We note risk factors related to the development of unforgiving emotions and describe ways that people typically cope with the stress of unforgiveness. Finally, an evidence-based psychoeducational group to promote forgiveness, derived from the emotion-replacement model of forgiveness is described and adapted to the treatment of alcohol dependence and abuse within a family context. Whereas unforgiveness seems frequent within families dealing with alcohol dependence, empirical research on unforgiveness and forgiveness within those families is sparse.
37 citations
TL;DR: The use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to increase twelve-step (TS) program attendance has been studied in a variety of settings as discussed by the authors, including the addiction counseling field.
Abstract: Recent twelve-step (TS) program research has suggested a dose threshold consisting of minimum weekly TS meeting attendance that is necessary to derive substantial benefit Unfortunately, other research has observed the vast majority of patients do not attend meetings or attend sporadically in the period following treatment As another example of research advancing our understanding of recovery processes, numerous studies have refined adaptations of Motivational Interviewing (MI) into a change theory with proven practice methods This paper reviews related literature and provides rationale for the use of a brief motivational intervention to increase TS program attendance The paper concludes by addressing two possible problems to implementing such an intervention: (1) Resistance within the culture of the addiction counseling field and (2) a lack of objective and normative TS program feedback data We respond to this latter gap in the literature by advancing possible specimen feedback data
22 citations
TL;DR: This article examined how women "work" the twelve steps of AA from a gendered perspective and found that women working AA's Twelve Steps become empowered and change for the better in spite of the male-dominated culture and language of the Twelve Steps and regardless of the difficulty they may have encountered in completing these steps.
Abstract: This paper examines how women “work” the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) from a gendered perspective. Feminist critics of AA have challenged the language of AA's Twelve Steps, the spiritual nature of the steps, and the male-dominated culture of the Twelve-Step program. This paper offers insight into how women in AA approach, interpret, and utilize the Twelve Steps to recover from alcoholism. Through survey and narrative data, findings suggests that women working AA's Twelve Steps become empowered and change for the better in spite of the male-dominated culture and language of the Twelve Steps and regardless of the difficulty they may have encountered in completing these steps. In particular, the first three stepsthe “surrender steps”-encourage women to let go of their alcoholic obsession and begin a spiritual path of recovery. Steps Four through Nine require women to “clean house” and get rid of old self-destructive ways so that they may develop a new and stronger sense of self. Finally...
20 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors integrate the current research on spirituality with a cross-cultural perspective that broadens the concept of spirituality, making it more applicable to the types of clients who enter treatment.
Abstract: Although many authors have called for researchers and providers to take seriously the issue of spirituality, the vast majority of theoretical and empirical work has emerged from a narrow focus on the spirituality of the Twelve-Step approach. Similarly, many authors have called for greater attention to cultural factors related to alcohol and other drug treatment, but with little clarity about how to create culturally competent programs and staff. This paper integrates the current research on spirituality with a cross-cultural perspective that broadens the concept of spirituality, making it more applicable to the types of clients who enter treatment.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the relationship between caregiver attachment and spiritual well-being to alcohol and other drug abuse among homeless veterans, and found that the relationship amplifies the inverse relationship of caregiver attachments and spiritual wellbeing to alcohol abuse.
Abstract: SUMMARY This study of 310 women and 315 men is one of the first investigations of a theoretical model of alcohol and other drug abuse among homeless veterans. The sample consists of inpatients in a Domiciliary program at Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Using structural equation modeling, it is observed that forgiveness amplifies the inverse relationships of caregiver attachment and spiritual well-being to alcohol and other drug abuse. In contrast, forgiveness reduces the relationships of abuse, distress, and depression to alcohol and other drug abuse. The treatment implications for homeless veterans are discussed. Spiritual issues and forgiveness are long-neglected topics in treatment programs for substance abusers.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlighted the contributions of authors, such as James, Tiebout, Kurtz, Whitfield, Brown, Miller, Morgan and White to an understanding of those concepts.
Abstract: SUMMARY Spirituality and religiousness are multidimensional concepts in their philosophical, theological and healthcare connotations. Both concepts have been discussed extensively in the literature describing the origins, diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems. Recovery communities, especially Alcoholics Anonymous, have been studied in terms of their ongoing conversations about spirituality and religiousness in the process of recovery. The contributions of authors, such as James, Tiebout, Kurtz, Whitfield, Brown, Miller, Morgan and White to an understanding of those concepts are highlighted.
15 citations
TL;DR: Two theories are offered that help to explain why the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous is such an effective intervention for recovering alcoholics, and directions for future research on AA are provided.
Abstract: Abstract The present paper offers two theories that help to explain why the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is such an effective intervention for recovering alcoholics, and provides directions for future research on AA. It is argued that Schlossberg's (1984) transition theory and Rando's (1995) theory of grief and mourning are applicable to the AA program because, as will be discussed, the concepts in each theory run parallel to the concepts and steps of the AA program. Specifically, we propose: (1) participation in AA helps individuals cope with the difficult transition from active alcoholism to recovery and (2) participation in AA facilitates individual's working through the loss and grief issues associated with recovery from alcoholism. Implications for clinical work with alcoholics as well as directions for future research on AA are provided.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined ties between religious variables and mental health in a high-risk population: lower-income chemically dependent pregnant or parenting women participating in a residential treatment program.
Abstract: SUMMARY The current study examined ties between religious variables and mental health in a high-risk population: lower-income chemically dependent pregnant or parenting women participating in a residential treatment program. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between various facets of religiousness and mental health symptoms, including depression and post-traumatic stress. Negative religious coping was associated with greater PTSD symptoms, greater depressive symptoms, and greater syndromal depression after controlling for background demographic and addiction variables. Other aspects of religiousness, including positive coping and involvement with organized religion, were not associated with mental health outcomes. These results suggest that negative aspects of religiousness, particularly religious struggle, merit greater attention from clinicians and investigators.
14 citations
TL;DR: This article provided a model for understanding the relationship between alcohol abusers' traits and situations, at-risk behaviors which include alcohol abuse, and family functioning, and the most promising family-oriented treatments were described with an emphasis on the empirical support for these treatments.
Abstract: SUMMARY Alcohol problems have pervasive effects on family functioning, with negative effects on the marriage relationship and children. In addition, family members and family relationships have a powerful positive or negative effect on treatment. This article provides a model for understanding the relationship between alcohol abusers' traits and situations, at-risk behaviors which include alcohol abuse, and family functioning. The most promising family-oriented treatments are then described with an emphasis on the empirical support for these treatments.
TL;DR: Improvements in family relationships, friendships, work satisfaction, and spiritual well-being were positively related to length of time homeless veterans remained in the community without readmission.
Abstract: SUMMARY This study examined a random sample of 600 homeless male veterans, aged 46 to 65, who served in the military during the Vietnam War. The purpose of the study was to identify predictors of readmission to an inpatient treatment program for alcohol and drug abuse in a 2-year follow-up. Among the strongest predictors were comorbidity, suicidal thoughts, memory loss, and childhood sexual and physical abuse. Improvements in family relationships, friendships, work satisfaction, and spiritual well-being were positively related to length of time homeless veterans remained in the community without readmission. Discussion of these findings for service provisions was presented.
TL;DR: In this paper, a study was conducted to assess parental alcoholism as a predictor of substance-using behaviors of Hispanic and Anglo college students as compared with other potential predictors including age, gender, ethnicity, and membership in Greek societies.
Abstract: This research was undertaken to assess parental alcoholism as a predictor of the substance-using behaviors of 418 Hispanic and Anglo college students as compared with other potential predictors including age, gender, ethnicity, and membership in Greek societies. Multiple regression tests were conducted with parental alcoholism, participant age, gender, ethnicity, Greek society membership, and the two-way interaction of ethnicity and parental alcoholism as predictors, and total alcohol use, binge drinking, marijuana and cocaine use as criterion variables. Parental alcoholism was not significantly linked to any substance use outcome. Ethnicity significantly predicted abusive drinking, with Anglos reporting more frequent and greater use than Hispanics. Participant age predicted marijuana and cocaine use, with older respondents being more likely to report such use. The high rates of substance use in this population may have lessened the usefulness of parental alcoholism status as a predictor of stude...
TL;DR: This article explored the prevalence of, and the qualitative differences in, addiction recovery across the developmental life cycle, including the influence of age of recovery initiation on differences in recovery pathways, styles of recovery, developmental stages and recovery stability.
Abstract: SUMMARY There is a growing body of literature on addiction recovery, but the effects of age of recovery initiation on the prospects and patterns of addiction recovery remain relatively unexplored. The purpose of this article is to explore the prevalence of, and the qualitative differences in, addiction recovery across the developmental life cycle. The review will include the influence of age of recovery initiation on differences in recovery pathways, styles of recovery, developmental stages and recovery stability.
TL;DR: The authors provided an overview of Protestant perspectives on alcohol use and abuse and discussed the dissimilar views of alcohol consumption among Protestant denominations, while there is a consensus that abuse of alcohol is morally wrong and spiritually debilitating, some denominations have theological positions that any alcohol use is harmful spiritually and psychologically.
Abstract: SUMMARY This article provides an overview of Protestant perspectives on alcohol use and abuse. It discusses the dissimilar views of alcohol consumption among Protestant denominations. While there is a consensus that abuse of alcohol is morally wrong and spiritually debilitating, some denominations have theological positions that any alcohol use is harmful spiritually and psychologically. Some treatment implications of these positions are discussed.
TL;DR: This article provides the psychotherapist with both a practical knowledge about AA as well as an understanding of the tools to maintain the sobriety the patient has acquired in AA.
TL;DR: Anthetic Inner Critic work is presented, a new approach to relapse prevention that has been shown to be clinically effective because it teaches skills that the recovering individual can use the rest of his or her life.
Abstract: Relapse prevention is a primary concern in the alcohol and drug treatment fields, and a variety of relapse prevention approaches are currently in use. Cognitive-behavioral and lifestyle change approaches are among the most commonly used, offering strategies the recovering individual may employ. This paper presents Anthetic Inner Critic work, a new approach to relapse prevention that has been shown to be clinically effective because it teaches skills that the recovering individual can use the rest of his or her life.
TL;DR: Carroll et al. as mentioned in this paper responded to article criticique by Jerome F. X. Carroll, and published a response to article critique by Carroll in Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly: Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 149-152.
Abstract: (2006). Response to Article Critique by Jerome F. X. Carroll. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly: Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 149-152.
TL;DR: A critique of Eliason, Amodia, and Cano's article Spirituality and Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment can be found in this article, where Eliason et al.
Abstract: (2006). Critique of Eliason, Amodia, and Cano's Article Spirituality and Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly: Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 143-148.