Showing papers in "Journal of Social Work Practice in The Addictions in 2001"
TL;DR: The authors explored two dimensions of natural recovery that hold important implications for treatment providers who work with substance dependent clients, including the common strategies used by remitters and the concept of recovery capital as a way to capture the embeddedness of these natural recovery strategies within a unique structural context.
Abstract: The literature on cessation of drug and alcohol dependency without benefit of treatment or participation in self-help groups spans nearly forty years. While this literature is substantial and analyses of the processes of natural recovery well-developed, discussions directed at treatment providers around the value of these analyses for practice has been sparse. Drawing on our study as well as the research of others, this paper explores two dimensions of natural recovery that hold important implications for treatment providers who work with substance dependent clients. These include the common strategies used by remitters and the concept of recovery capital as a way to capture the embeddedness of these natural recovery strategies within a unique structural context of personal attributes and social environments.
96 citations
TL;DR: The history of social workers' involvement in the treatment of addictions in the United States is described in this paper, where social workers are important players not only in program development, administration, and treatment of chemical addictions, but also in "process" addictions such as eating disorders and gambling.
Abstract: This article describes the history of social workers' involvement in the treatment of addictions in the United States. Beginning with Mary Richmond, the “mother of social casework,” social workers have played an increasingly important role in the treatment of individuals with alcohol and other drug problems and of their family members. Today, social workers are important players not only in program development, administration, and treatment of chemical addictions, but also in “process” addictions, such as eating disorders and gambling. Moreover, social workers are increasingly involved in addictions research and policy arenas.
44 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the recovery experience of female members of Alcoholics Anonymous who reported a history of childhood sexual abuse (68%) with those who did not report experiencing sexual abuse, and found a significant relationship between shame and two measures of difficulties in recovery-problems in social adjustment and relapse.
Abstract: This study compares the recovery experience of female members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) who reported a history of childhood sexual abuse (68%) with those who did not report experiencing childhood sexual abuse. A sample of 53 women was obtained from AA. A significant relationship was found between shame and two measures of difficulties in recovery-problems in social adjustment and relapse. Though the hypothesis that experiences of child sexual abuse predicted difficulty in recovery was not supported, these data suggest that shame may be an important variable in both the etiology and treatment of alcoholism in women.
39 citations
TL;DR: The Strengths Perspective as discussed by the authors applies key concepts to Steps 1-3 of the 12-Steps to increase our understanding of addiction and recovery from alcoholism and other drug addiction.
Abstract: In the last two decades, the social work profession began to confront the professional avoidance of alcoholics and other drug addicts, and discussions of spirituality. While acknowledging the importance of 12-Step Programs of Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous, we also acknowledge that spirituality is a major aspect of addiction and recovery from an addiction. The authors present the Strengths Perspective and apply key concepts to Steps 1-3 of the 12-Steps to increase our understanding of addiction and recovery from alcoholism and other drug addiction. The article concludes that social workers must continue to increase their understanding of the recovery and spiritual issues of alcoholics and other drug addicts.
25 citations
TL;DR: It is pointed out that there may be specific risk factors in place for a subgroup of women with children in substance use treatment who are involved in Child Protective Services and those who are not involved (CPS-).
Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the differences between women with children in substance use treatment who are involved in Child Protective Services (CPS+) and those who are not involved (CPS-) Using a sample of all alcohol and other drug (AOD) clients (N = 6,023) receiving substance use treatment over a three-year period (1997-99), the study found that CPS+ women were more likely to be younger, have more children, have been arrested less often, be mandated to receive treatment, to have an unsatisfactory exit status or be transferred to another treatment program at discharge CPS+ women were also more likely to have attended outpatient or day treatment for the AOD treatment This study points out that there may be specific risk factors in place for a subgroup of women with children in AOD treatment
21 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that neurobiological knowledge is essential for a biopsychosocial understanding of substance abuse and addiction, other mental disorders, co-occurring conditions, and human behavior.
Abstract: In the past two decades, advances in neuroscience research have revolutionized the scientific community's understanding of branehavior connections. Social work is now taking note of this trend. Specialists in substance abuse, addiction, and co-occurring diagnoses are beginning to relinquish long-held beliefs in mind-body dualism in favor of a truly integrated biopsychosocial understanding. This article identifies challenges related to social work and argues that neurobiological knowledge is essential for a biopsychosocial understanding of substance abuse and addiction, other mental disorders, co-occurring conditions, and human behavior. It gives examples of drawing on neurobiological knowledge for practice applications. These include educating users, families, and providers about neurobiological aspects of substance abuse (psychoeducation); using neuroscience research on mental illness and addiction to develop integrated approaches for dually diagnosed persons; and considering a range of medicati...
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the concept, etiology and characteristics of sexual addiction are discussed and case material illustrates a multi-modal treatment process with a young gay male who was addicted to anonymous sex.
Abstract: Sexual addiction represents a life-threatening obsession-a pattern of out-of-control sexual behavior with serious physical, emotional, and legal consequences. This paper discusses the concept, etiology and characteristics of sexual addiction. It offers information that will help mental health professionals accurately assess the problem and provide appropriate treatment. Case material illustrates a multi-modal treatment process with a young gay male who was addicted to anonymous sex. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678.
17 citations
TL;DR: Female ad diets were more likely than male ad diets to have a mother who used il licit drugs and treat ment re lated is sues are dis cussed along with the need for specialized, culturally culturally diverse treatment.
Abstract: This pa per de scribes the find ings from a pur pos ive sample of 152 male and fe male Rus sian-speak ing drug ad diets who im migrated to Is rael dur ing the last ten years. Ap prox i mately one-third of the co hort was not Jew ish, in clud ing 47 per cent of the women. Forty-one per cent of the subjects re ported be ing phys i cally abused and 25 per cent of the women, com pared to 5 per cent of the men, re ported be ing sex u ally abused as a child. Al co hoi abuse was found to be dif fer ent among the par ents of male and fe male ad diets: 46% of the women com pared to 31% of the men had fa thers who drank ex ces sively; 14% of the women compared to 5% of the men had moth ers who were heavy drink ers. Also, female ad diets were more likely than male ad diets to have a mother who used il licit drugs. Treat ment re lated is sues are dis cussed along with the need for specialized, culturally sen si tiveser vice pro vision.
17 citations
TL;DR: This article reviewed the literature on substance abuse and women and reported what substance-abusing women on welfare perceive as unmet needs and barriers to their recovery and ability to join the workforce.
Abstract: Substance abuse presents formidable challenges to a welfare reform that has employment as its primary goal. This study reviews the literature on substance abuse and women and reports what substance-abusing women on welfare perceive as unmet needs and barriers to their recovery and ability to join the workforce.
14 citations
TL;DR: This paper provides a research-based model for the causes of chemical dependence and its treatment, and integrates this information with classic Twelve Step treatment programs.
Abstract: Neurobiology and molecular genetics are contributing heavily to a new understanding of the causes of chemical dependence (“addiction”). Willful chemical abuse is a problem that continues to produce significant societal costs including accidents, medical expenses, and family suffering. Pathological chemical dependence, on the other hand, is being recognized as a true medical disease that is also devastating, but in different ways. There is strong evidence in animals and humans that chemical dependence involves a dysregulation of the pleasure pathway (the “medial forebrain bundle”), located in the mesolimbic portion of the brain. Dopamine is one of the medial forebrain bundle's major neurotransmitters. In this paper, we provide a research-based model for the causes of chemical dependence and its treatment, and integrate this information with classic Twelve Step treatment programs.
13 citations
TL;DR: Improved identification and treatment of comorbidity may reduce the revolving door effect among individuals and thereby lower health care costs, as well as improve training of mental health and substance abuse professionals.
Abstract: Literature concerning assessment and treatment of comorbid substance abuse and mental illness is reviewed. Currently, comorbidity is under-diagnosed and dually diagnosed clients are under-served. Those clients, who are so diagnosed, are most often offered dichotomous parallel or serial interventions. However, research suggests that an integrated approach is preferable. Enhanced training of mental health and substance abuse professionals is urgently needed as is further research concerning the efficacy of various treatment modalities. Improved identification and treatment of comorbidity may reduce the revolving door effect among these individuals and thereby lower health care costs.
TL;DR: In this paper, the connection between physical abuse and its impact on cognitive and intra-psychic func- tioning, as well as the physiological impact on brain function and body chemistry is discussed.
Abstract: Adolescents commit more than 50 percent of the nation's crimes, and their use of substances both accompanies and facilitates crimi- nal activities. Juvenile offenders exhibit three prominent features: drug involvement, a history of family violence, and intrinsic neurological and/ or cognitive vulnerabilities. This article documents the connection be- tween physical abuse and its impact on cognitive and intrapsychic func- tioning, as well as the physiological impact on brain function and body chemistry. The implications for the clinical treatment and prevention of juvenile violence and addiction are described. (Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: Website: 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.)
TL;DR: In this article, Harm Reduction and Abstinence Based Recovery: A Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 121-133.
Abstract: (2001). Harm Reduction and Abstinence Based Recovery. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 121-133.
TL;DR: For example, this paper found that most women used similar coping strategies regardless of intensity or philosophy of the treatment program and that there is an association between social support and the utilization of more positive coping strategies.
Abstract: Four-hundred and forty-nine cocaine dependent women from three treatment programs were assessed for level of addiction severity, family difficulty, medical problems, and types of coping strategies at treatment entry. Results indicate that the women utilized more problem-focused coping at treatment entry than emotion-focused. And, findings also revealed that most women used similar coping strategies regardless of intensity or philosophy of the treatment program. ANOVA analysis revealed differences between groups in the use of express emotion and social withdrawal. Findings that reveal an association between social support and the utilization of more positive coping strategies have implications for engaging family members and support network persons in the treatment process. Relationships between social withdrawal and other emotion focused coping strategies have implications for aggressive outreach to engage women in treatment.
TL;DR: The use of Afrocentricity and Reality Therapy are proposed as therapeutic bases for substance abuse treatment with adolescent African American males.
Abstract: The use of substances by adolescent African American males is of particular concern because of the damaging effect that drug abuse has not only on the individual and his family but also on the African American community. The literature is scant regarding treatment services and few therapeutic interventions have been specifically designed to holistically meet the needs of these youth. This article proposes the use of Afrocentricity and Reality Therapy as therapeutic bases for substance abuse treatment with this population.
TL;DR: This article found that social workers with undergraduate degrees (BSWs) have higher rates of employment in AOD than bachelor's degree holders from other disciplines, however, they have a much lower involvement than their counterparts with counseling degrees.
Abstract: Literature suggests a low number of social workers employed in the field of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. This study shows that social workers with undergraduate degrees (BSWs) have higher rates of employment in AOD than bachelor's degree holders from other disciplines. Master's level social workers (MSWs), however, have a much lower involvement than their counterparts with counseling degrees. Six factors are inferred to partially explain MSWs' low involvement in the field: (1) low education requirements; (2) low pay; (3) absence of “social worker” positions; (4) competition among different disciplines; (5) lack of MSW interns; and (6) state certification requirement. Suggestions to increase the employment of social workers in the AOD field are offered.
Abstract: This paper argues that child welfare mothers with addiction problems may require specialized treatment approaches based on their gender The prevalence of women's problems with addiction and the unique ways addictions manifest themselves in women are discussed The literature is then used to guide a discussion on the limitations of traditional treatment approaches that have been designed for men and may be of ill service to child welfare mothers Alternative treatments are reviewed, and suggestions for improving treatment services to child welfare mothers with addiction problems are provided
TL;DR: McAleavey and Fiumara as mentioned in this paper described the differences between women's and men's behavior in eating or dishing dis or ders and treat ing in families, families, and groups.
Abstract: Kristen M. A. McAleavey, PhD, MSW, LCSW, is Ad junct Pro fes sor, Vir ginia Com mon wealth Uni ver sity School of So cial Work and in pri vate prac tice, spe cial iz ing in eat ing dis or ders and women’s is sues. Mary C. Fiumara, MSS, ACSW, CSW, is an eat ing dis or ders spe cial ist at KidsPeace Hos pi tal, Orefield, PA and in pri vate prac tice, spe cial iz ing in eat ing dis or ders and treat ing in di vid u als, fam i lies, and groups.
TL;DR: In this paper, a needs assessment was conducted at a work-furlough program for women in Honolulu in order to better understand their self-identified psychosocial needs and to design and implement appropriate and adequate services.
Abstract: The incarceration rate of women for non-violent drug-related offenses in Hawai'i is now outpacing that of men. While females of Native Hawaiian descent comprise less than 10% of the total State population, the ratio among incarcerated women is a disproportionate 40%. The pathways to drug abuse and related crimes are different for men and women. Discrimination and survival of what is often a lifetime of interpersonal violence are salient contributors to the behaviors leading to the imprisonment of women. There must be full consideration of these issues to reach proper understanding of the complexity of the unmet needs underlying the behaviors leading to arrest, and to resolve them. A needs assessment was conducted at a work-furlough program for women in Honolulu in order to better understand their self-identified psychosocial needs. This paper challenges social workers and policy makers to consider the distinct needs of this population, and to design and implement appropriate and adequate services...
TL;DR: An experimental, strengths-based pro gram for the treat ment of sub stance abus ing offend ers un der crim i nal jus tice su per vi sion in the United States is described.
Abstract: This paper describes an experimental, strengths-based pro gram for the treat ment of sub stance abus ing offend ers un der crim i nal jus tice su per vi sion in the United States Pro ba tion De part ment. The program is based upon new phys i o log i cal ev i dence that links ad die tions to the ex perience of hope, and consistent research that identifiesself-efficacy, futu rity and self-es teem as cru cial el e ments in re cov ery. Rooted in con cepts taken from Jung ian and Maslowian ideas of the Self, the program uses techniques gleaned from Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) and Ericksonian hyp no sis to pro vide a con tin u ing sense of Self and the pos si bil ity of pos i tive, self-ac tu al iz ing fu tures. This ar ti cle ex plores the the o ret i cal back ground of the pro gram, spe cific tools em ployed, pro gram re suits and sugges tions for fur ther research
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TL;DR: The Support and Training for Adoptive Families (STAFF) project was developed as a response to concerns about large numbers of infants with prenatal substance exposure being placed in foster care or for adoption with families who were not prepared for their special needs as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Support and Training for Adoptive Families (STAFF) project was developed as a response to concerns about large numbers of infants with prenatal substance exposure being placed in foster care or for adoption with families who were not prepared for their special needs. This article describes the ongoing STAFF project and how it was designed to meet the identified needs of infants with prenatal substance exposure, their families, and their workers.
TL;DR: This article found that a majority of social workers viewed their agencies as facilitating substance abuse-related work through support from supervisors and administrators, availability of substance abuse training, workers' freedom to choose clients, and opportunities to supervise others on substance abuse related issues.
Abstract: This study interviewed 115 MSWs with substance abuse training working in general social service agencies to determine if they viewed their settings as facilitating or hindering their work with substance-abusing clients. This study builds on the work of Lightfoot and Orford (1986) who found that social workers were more hindered than helped by their agencies' practices regarding substance-abusing clients. Results: A majority of workers viewed their agencies as facilitating substance abuse-related work through support from supervisors and administrators, availability of substance abuse training, workers' freedom to choose clients, and opportunities to supervise others on substance abuse-related issues. Supervisor data corroborated these findings. This is a hopeful sign for the profession contrasting with considerable social work literature documenting the profession's historic ambivalence toward substance-abusing clients.
TL;DR: There were clear gender differ ences with re gard to the se quence and fre quency of al co hol-re lated life events and a woman-spe cific al co hoi ism-screen ing in stru-ment.
Abstract: The pur pose of this study was to test hy poth e ses con cern-ing gen der dif fer ences among men and women di ag nosed with al cohol-re lated prob lems. The in stru ment was ad min is tered to sub j ects from a hos pi tal-based al co hoi ism treat ment pro gram as well as from Al ccr holies Anon y mous (A A) and Women for So bri ety (WFS). Women ex peri enced eight of the hy poth e sized 12 more woman-spe cific items ear lier in their drink ing ca reers than did men. ANOVAs per formed on the frequency of al co hol-re lated life events re vealed sig nif i cant differ ences between women and men on seven items. There were clear gender differ ences with re gard to the se quence and fre quency of al co hol-re lated life ex pe ri ences. On the ba sis of the pre lim i nary find ings, the au thors pro pose to ere ate and test a woman-spe cific al co hoi ism-screen ing in stru-ment.
TL;DR: The ability of drugs and alcohol to influence neuronal growth (neuroplasticity) has unique consequences in children, adults, and seniors and a few suggestions are made for developing new treatment strategies based on the inherent dynamics of the brain during the life cycle.
Abstract: This article discusses the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the brain during five stages of the life cycle: perinatal (pregnancy-2 years), childhood (2-12 years), adolescence (13-21), adulthood (22-50), and senior (50+). Alcohol and psychotropic drugs act through specific chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters have two main functions in the brain: mediate electrical transmission (synaptic activity) and promote growth (trophic activity). The trophic activity results in a neuron increasing its size and the complexity of its branches (dendrites). The ability of drugs and alcohol to influence neuronal growth (neuroplasticity) has unique consequences in children, adults, and seniors. Knowledge of such biological principles as developmental critical period, age-related cortical shrinkage and steroid-induced neuronal growth is presented in the context of alcohol and other drug abuse. A few suggestions are made for developing new treatment strategies based on the inherent ...
TL;DR: Combining effective pharmacological and psychosocial interventions may provide the impetus to integrate alcoholism treatment into the general health care delivery system, thereby helping to increase the accessibility of care and well-being for individuals seeking or needing help with alcohol problems.
Abstract: Both research and clinical experiences suggest that there are separate and overlapping benefits of medications and psychosocial treatments for alcohol problems. Evidence has shown that medication(s) combined with a moderate intensity psychosocial therapy can produce outcomes beyond what each of these approaches can produce alone. Taking medication can be helpful in facilitating longer periods of abstinence that in turn affords practitioners a greater opportunity to enhance patients' individual and social coping resources and to increase their motivation to change. Combining effective pharmacological and psychosocial interventions may provide the impetus to integrate alcoholism treatment into the general health care delivery system, thereby helping to increase the accessibility of care and well-being for individuals seeking or needing help with alcohol problems.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the transtheoretical model of change and the con cept of ex pec tan cies among col lege smokers are used to predict the number of smokers who will start smoking.
Abstract: Efforts on the part of the sci en tific com mu nity have resulted in in creased knowl edge about to bacco ad die tion and im proved treat ment ef fi cacy. De spite these gains, how ever, our un der stand ing of to bacco ad die tion re mains in com plete. Two el e ments that may help il lu-mi nate the knowl edge of this ad die tion pro cess and pro vide im pli ca tions for treat ment are the Transtheoretical Model of Change and the con cept of ex pec tan cies. This project is a be gin ning step in ex plor ing the re la tion ship be tween the transtheoretical model and fac ets of ex pec tan cies among col lege smokers.
TL;DR: Four major hypotheses have been formulated to address the issue of why some people develop compulsive use of particular drugs, and each of these hypotheses is examined in light of research findings from neurobiology.
Abstract: Four major hypotheses have been formulated to address the issue of why some people develop compulsive use of particular drugs. These hypotheses include: (1) Drugs that are abused sensitize the motivational systems of the brain such that the behavioral routines for acquisition of the drug become compulsive, (2) Drugs that are abused stimulate the pleasure centers in the brain, (3) People who abuse drugs are naturally in an aversive state that their drug use enables them to escape, and (4) Drugs of abuse are associated with aversive withdrawal phenomena which can be elicited by conditioned stimuli, therefore people continue to take drugs to avert conditioned withdrawal states. This paper examines each of these hypotheses in light of research findings from neurobiology.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of legal intervention on the lives of substance-using pregnant and parenting women were studied in the Sonoma County, California welfare-to-work program.
Abstract: Deborah Applegate, LCSW, BCD has been in clinical practice for 25 years in public and private settings. She is currently working with addicted mothers in the Sonoma County, California welfare-to-work program. Carolyn Bradley, LCSW, CADC is a student assistance counselor in a New Jersey public school and has a private practice specializing in addiction recovery, with a special focus on women and lesbians. She is a doctoral student at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. Rita Rhodes, PhD, LMSW, is an Associate Professor at the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Rhodes current research is the effects of legal intervention on the lives of substance-using pregnant and parenting women. Her practice experience has included work with women in prisons, psychiatric institutions, and shelters. Christine Flynn Saulnier, PhD, MSW, has spent 25 years working on womens alcohol problems as a practitioner, then as an academic. Her current work includes research on alcohol services for women in western New York and Massachusetts and a study of feminist support and self-help groups for women with alcohol problems. Elizabeth Zelvin, ACSW, CSW, CASAC, is a New York City psychotherapist, has directed alcoholism and substance abuse treatment programs for homeless clients and women, and has written and lectured on addictions, codependency, and womens issues.