Showing papers in "Journal of Social Work Practice in The Addictions in 2008"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the existence and experiences of stigma in a sample of older adult methadone maintenance clients and found that respondents who reported more stigmas were more likely to identify stigma as a barrier to substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Abstract: Whereas research has addressed the impact of mental illness stigma on treatment-seeking attitudes and behaviors, the effects of other stigmas such as age, race, drug addiction, and poverty have received far less attention. In addition, research has not sufficiently addressed the potential additive effect of stigma on individuals who are experiencing multiple stigmas simultaneously. In an attempt to explore the impact of experiencing multiple stigmas, this qualitative study examined the existence and experiences of stigma in a sample of older adult methadone maintenance clients. Semistructured interviews with 24 older adults in a methadone program were conducted and analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach. Results reveal 8 distinct stigmas experienced by this sample. Additionally, respondents who reported more stigmas were more likely to identify stigma as a barrier to substance abuse and mental health treatment. These findings reinforce the importance of recognizing the ways in whic...
106 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored how practitioners in a housing program for people with histories of psychiatric disabilities, substance use disorders, and homelessness perceived the harm reduction approach and found that practitioners favored the approach's pragmatism and its focus on client engagement, but many were frustrated by its perceived ambiguity regarding long-term outcomes.
Abstract: The social work literature recently has supported greater use of the harm reduction approach in professional practice. Implementing this approach, however, presents its challenges. We explore how practitioners in a housing program for people with histories of psychiatric disabilities, substance use disorders, and homelessness perceived the harm reduction approach. Prior to the opening of this new program, agency staff completed a questionnaire and participated in focus groups designed to explore their perceptions and level of support of the harm reduction approach used in the program. The goal of this evaluation was to understand the challenges of implementing a harm reduction approach in programs serving people with dual diagnosis and the implications this has for program administrators, staff, and clients. We found that practitioners, overall, favored the approach's pragmatism and its focus on client engagement, but many were frustrated by its perceived ambiguity regarding long-term outcomes an...
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of empirical research was conducted on four roles of spiritual variables in alcohol abuse and recovery, and tentative conclusions about the relationship between alcoholism and spirituality were provided.
Abstract: The apparent success of Alcoholics Anonymous and its spiritually based program of recovery in 1935 led early researchers to explore how AA worked and ultimately led to more formalized research on alcoholism and spirituality in the latter part of the 20th century. Using Miller's suggested research framework, a review of empirical research was conducted on four roles of spiritual variables in alcohol abuse and recovery. Tentative conclusions about the relationship between alcoholism and spirituality are provided. Limitations of studies are examined and implications for social work research are discussed.
34 citations
TL;DR: Lori K. Steiker as discussed by the authors is an Associate Professor, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Abstract: Lori K. Holleran Steiker, PhD, is Associate Professor, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austiti. Felipe Gotizález Castro, PhD, is Professor, Psychology Departmetit, Arizona State University. Karol Kumpfer, PhD, is Professor of Health Promotion and Education, The University of Utah, PI and Program Developer of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) in the United States and countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Fiavio Francisco Marsiglia, PhD, is Professor and Director of the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Consortium (SIRC) School of Social Work, Arizona State University. Stephanie Coard, PhD, is Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Laura M. Hopson, PhD, is Assistant Professor, University at Albany School of Social Welfare. Address correspondence to: Lori K. Hollerati Steiker, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX 78712, USA (E-mail: lorikay@mail.utexas.edu).
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the role of religiosity as a predictor of post-treatment abstinence in African-American patients receiving community-based outpatient alcoholism treatment, and found that regular practice of one's religion/faith significantly predicted abstinence.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of religiosity as a predictor of post-treatment abstinence. A sample of 96 African-American clients receiving community-based outpatient alcoholism treatment were interviewed at treatment entry and three months later. Achieving complete abstinence was predicted from client gender and 17 other predictors, including 6 substance-related factors, 7 psychosocial and health variables, and 4 religiosity/spirituality measures. Bivariate analyses showed that abstainers drank less prior to treatment, had more prior formal treatment and AA involvement, practiced their religion more regularly, and scored higher on measures of both spirituality and extrinsic religiosity. In addition, women were more likely to achieve abstinence. Forward entry binary logistic regression revealed that, controlling for client gender and pre-treatment consumption, only regular practice of one's religion/faith significantly predicted abstinence. Recommendations include (1) the need...
21 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used data from ethnographic interviews to describe the development of methamphetamine abuse across users' lives and found that drug initiation emerged from abuse during childhood and parental drug abuse.
Abstract: Clinicians are increasingly confronted with treating the dramatically growing numbers of methamphetamine (MA) abusers. However, scant research documents the internal experience of MA abuse. This study uses data from ethnographic interviews to describe the development of MA abuse across users' lives. Results show drug initiation emerging from abuse during childhood and parental drug abuse. Respondents entered drug-using peer groups that paradoxically offer both protection from and vulnerability to violence and other problems. Consequences of MA abuse include economic instability and concern with only the acquisition and use of MA, instead of MA-related problems. Understandings of “problematic” drug use emerge as respondents stigmatize users who lack basic resources and hurt others for the sake of money or drugs, and parents whose use interferes with parenting. Respondents describe barriers and alternatives to treatment. Results provide insight into the experience of MA abuse. Theoretical considera...
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an integrated model for delivering drug treatment services by improving cross-system collaboration along a seamless continuum of care is proposed. But, the model is limited to the treatment of drug-addicted offenders.
Abstract: For the past 2 decades the U.S. “war on drugs” has contributed to soaring incarceration rates, prison overcrowding, and overly harsh and race-based sentencing. This article calls for reform of drug treatment services for drug-addicted offenders. This article introduces an integrated model for delivering drug treatment services by improving cross-system collaboration along a seamless continuum of care. We offer practical principles and policies for improving drug treatment services across criminal justice and drug treatment agency boundaries. Reforming drug treatment services for offenders may reduce illicit drug use in the United States because the majority of heavy drug users are involved in the criminal justice system.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe an innovative drug prevention pilot in which developing a substance abuse video served as a vehicle for teaching youth healthy attitudes and behaviors, using the camcorder as a central vehicle for learning, community field assignments, and evaluation-based learning.
Abstract: This article describes an innovative drug prevention pilot in which developing a substance abuse video served as a vehicle for teaching youth healthy attitudes and behaviors. Seven 10- to 12-year-old African Americans from a public housing development participated in 10 weekly sessions focusing on video skills and substance abuse. Based on the principles of capacity building and cognitive dissonance theory, the children learned about substance abuse in their community and movie-making, which they used to created an antidrug video. Six activities were identified as critical to the program's success: family involvement, community engagement, adapting drug education content to fit community characteristics, using the camcorder as a central vehicle for learning, community field assignments, and evaluation-based learning.
17 citations
TL;DR: The manner in which adolescents are recruited, key intervention elements, the nature of the counseling style utilized, and clinical challenges are highlighted.
Abstract: Given the prevalence of regular marijuana use among adolescents and the associated risks for adverse consequences to functioning, effective interventions are needed that are tailored to this population. To date, most such counseling approaches have relied on nonvoluntary participation by adolescent marijuana smokers and the outcomes have been only modestly successful. The Teen Marijuana Check-Up is a brief motivational enhancement intervention publicized as a nonpressured and confidential opportunity for the teen marijuana smoker to “take stock” of his or her use. The intervention is designed for in-school implementation and intended to elicit the teen's voluntary participation. This article highlights the manner in which adolescents are recruited, key intervention elements, the nature of the counseling style utilized, and clinical challenges. The outcomes of two trials with this intervention are briefly discussed.
17 citations
TL;DR: A systematic review of AA research literature and an analysis of the past ten years of empirical findings is presented in this paper, with a focus on methods, variables, outcomes, sampling, and theory.
Abstract: Scholars have been struggling with the problem of studying Alcoholics Anonymous scientifically since the 1960s. Several defining elements of AA make randomized clinical trials impossible: there are no membership records; self-selection can account for change; membership boundaries are fluid; ethical considerations prohibit use of control groups; and AA varies considerably from meeting to meeting. Contemporary scholars continue to seek empirical evidence for the effectiveness of AA. This paper describes a systematic review of AA research literature and an analysis of the past ten years of empirical findings. Methods, variables, outcomes, sampling, and theory are addressed with implications for social work practice.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated the association between authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and neglectful parenting, and clinical severity of adolescent substance abuse, and found that authoritative parenting was associated with less parent-reported substance problem severity compared to neglectful parents.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and neglectful parenting, and clinical severity of adolescent substance abuse. Data were examined from 2 substance abuse treatment outcome studies: the Cannabis Youth Treatment (CYT) study and Project Iowa SCY. In both studies, authoritative parenting was associated with less parent-reported substance problem severity compared to neglectful parenting. In CYT, authoritative parenting was also associated with lower conduct disorder severity when compared to authoritarian and neglectful parenting. Findings were not replicated with adolescent-reported outcomes. Lower level of care recommendations are made for authoritatively parented youth when compared to those from authoritarian and neglectful homes. Additional research should rule out shared method variance explanations and investigate whether changes in parenting practices predict substance abuse treatment outcomes.
TL;DR: The characteristics of alcohol consumption by Il-Sei Koreans who were born, raised, and educated in Korea and immigrated to the United States after age 18 are explored.
Abstract: Koreans in the United States can be grouped based on their diverse immigration histories and levels of acculturation: 1st-generation (Il-Sei), 1.5 generation (Il-Jom-O-Sei), 2nd-generation (Yi-Sei), 3rd-generation (Sam-Sei), and so on. Generational differences often account for different norms and behaviors regarding alcohol consumption. Difficulties for 1st-generation Koreans arise when seeking treatment for mental health and alcohol or substance abuse problems because of language barriers and cultural differences. The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of alcohol consumption by Il-Sei Koreans who were born, raised, and educated in Korea and immigrated to the United States after age 18. Immigration stress, Korean drinking norms and traditions, the influence of Confucianism, acculturation, availability of Korean alcohol, and health treatment disparity issues are addressed.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the aging population entering addiction treatment today may no longer be a homogenous group of mostly alcohol-dependent individuals, as well as individuals with illicit drug use, prescription drug abuse and dependence, and co-occurring disorders.
Abstract: This retrospective chart review of 2 cohorts of individuals 55 years and older (n = 116) suggests that the aging population entering addiction treatment today may no longer be a homogenous group of mostly alcohol-dependent individuals. Whereas the 1992 cohort is primarily alcoholic, the 2002 cohort of baby boomers included individuals with illicit drug use, prescription drug abuse and dependence, and co-occurring disorders.
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative research study focused on understanding what people in twelve-step (TS) facilitative treatment report as good (the pros) and bad (the cons) about TS program involvement was conducted.
Abstract: Treatment outcome research has repeatedly demonstrated that involvement in twelve-step (TS) programs (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous) following treatment is associated with improved substance use outcomes. Treatment providers widely encourage TS program attendance during treatment and for aftercare; yet, evidence suggests that minimal and sporadic attendance or complete dropout is the more common occurrence. Providers would benefit from knowledge that would contribute to a greater understanding of factors that influence posttreatment TS program affiliation or dropout to guide treatment strategies. This article reviews the literature on TS affiliation, advances theory and a model to explain affiliation, and reports findings from a qualitative research study focused on understanding what people in TS facilitative treatment report as good (the pros) and not so good (the cons) about TS program involvement. Results suggest that unresolved ambivalence as well as socio-cultural barrie...
TL;DR: This is the first comprehensive epidemiological research initiative to examine the rates of legal and illegal psychoactive substance use exclusively among Arab students in Israel, and the links between rates of use and socio-demographic, interpersonal, cognitive, and personality characteristics.
Abstract: This is the first comprehensive epidemiological research initiative to examine the rates of legal and illegal psychoactive substance use exclusively among Arab students in Israel, and the links between rates of use and socio-demographic, interpersonal, cognitive, and personality characteristics. The sample consisted of 2,603 Arab students in grades 7 to 12. The results revealed relationships between use rates and various characteristics of the participants, with higher rates found among males than among females and lower rates found among those from more cohesive families. The current findings are in line with the literature with several exceptions that are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, a nonclinical sample of women who had achieved at least 6 months of abstinence from compulsive gambling was collected using a 79-item online survey and the analyses indicate that the respondents were primarily middle-aged, well-educated white women with serious gambling problems.
Abstract: Although at least one third of problem gamblers are women, the majority of the scant literature available on treatment and recovery is based on male gamblers. Recent gender comparisons found significant differences between men and women who have sought help for problems associated with their gambling, which raises the possibility of different recovery processes. Using previously collected data, we explored this issue with a nonclinical sample of women (N = 136) who had achieved at least 6 months of abstinence from compulsive gambling. Data were gathered using a 79-item online survey. The analyses indicate that the respondents were primarily middle-aged, well-educated white women with serious gambling problems. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) was by far the most important resource in recovery, with 75% of the women reporting that they attended at least 1 GA meeting. Forty-three percent of the women reported receiving professional help and 10% reported recovering “on their own.”
TL;DR: In this article, factors associated with depression in 78 community-dwelling African American and white women previously convicted of a felony drug crime were studied. Exposure to trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol dependency predicted depression in the sample as a whole, but individual predictors varied significantly by race.
Abstract: Most women in the criminal justice system are drug-involved, and although African American women are disproportionately arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for drug-related offenses, little is known about their mental health. Depression is of particular concern, as it is highly comorbid with substance abuse and strongly associated with stressful life events, including discrimination. We studied factors associated with depression in 78 community-dwelling African American and White women previously convicted of a felony drug offense. Exposure to trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol dependency predicted depression in the sample as a whole, but individual predictors varied significantly by race. Notably, social support decreased risk depression for White women, but increased risk for African American women. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are addressed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the practice of revival as a means of "treating" people with addictions and make suggestions as to how to provide evidence-based practice while recognizing the contributions of revival practice.
Abstract: This article examines the practice of revival as a means of “treating” people with addictions. Revival is practiced widely in Charismatic/Pentecostal circles and many people believe that that their recovery from addictions would not have been possible without it. The practice is reviewed and suggestions are made as to how to provide evidence-based practice while recognizing the contributions of revival practice.
TL;DR: A brief overview of the development of pharmacological approaches in the treatment of problem or pathological gambling can be found in this paper, where the authors conclude that pathological gambling may be a syndrome that includes features of affect instability, impaired cogn...
Abstract: This article provides a brief overview of the development of pharmacological approaches in the treatment of problem or pathological gambling. The rationale for pharmacological approaches during those early stages of this form of intervention was based on attempts to simply block reinforcing affective “thrill” components inherent in gambling or on clinical judgment that drew analogies between the manifestations of repetitive gambling behavior and compulsions. Speculation that pathological gambling may be related to a dimension of impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive disorders prompted trials of medications shown to be efficacious with obsessive-compulsive disorder, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Other classes of medications such as opioid antagonists, mood stabilizers, and other antidepressants, have also shown promise in the treatment of pathological gambling. We conclude that pathological gambling may be a syndrome that includes features of affect instability, impaired cogn...
TL;DR: The authors examined coping-related motives for substance use among 68 men and women with a history of incarceration and found that coping was associated with greater drinking frequency and quantity, along with a broader variety of adverse consequences, alcohol dependence, parental divorce or separation, later onset of childhood neglect, and experiencing conditions perceived as analogous to war.
Abstract: This mixed methods quantitative–qualitative study examined coping-related motives for substance use among 68 men and women with a history of incarceration. Qualitative analyses yielded 3 principal motivational categories: coping, social reinforcement, and enhancement. Discriminant analyses revealed that coping motives were associated with greater drinking frequency and quantity, along with a broader variety of adverse consequences, alcohol dependence, parental divorce or separation, later onset of childhood neglect, and experiencing conditions perceived as analogous to war. Practice implications are discussed, including a comprehensive motivational assessment at the initiation of treatment, and the prevention or mitigation of stressful events during childhood and adult life.
TL;DR: In this article, the Betty Ford Center Children's Program, a program specifically designed for the children of substance abusers, was evaluated at pretest and posttest using a comprehensive psychological battery; a subsample of 50 children participated in a follow-up telephone interview 6 months later.
Abstract: This article reports on a program evaluation of the Betty Ford Center Children's Program, a program specifically designed for the children of substance abusers. Approximately 160 participating children (aged 7–12) were evaluated at pretest and posttest using a comprehensive psychological battery; a subsample of 50 children participated in a follow-up telephone interview 6 months later. Results showed that children of substance abusers benefit from brief, intensive program efforts that serve their special circumstances and highlight the important role social workers and other clinicians have in helping children reevaluate how they are impacted by their parent's addiction.
TL;DR: This article identified the interactions among a group of high school students, their teachers, and a university research team as they evolve from an adult-directed to a student-led collaboration that resulted in the creation of a set of culturally grounded prevention messages that effectively prevented or delayed the onset of adolescent drug use.
Abstract: This article identifies the interactions among a group of high school students, their teachers, and a university research team as they evolve from an adult-directed to a student-led collaboration that resulted in the creation of a set of culturally grounded prevention messages that effectively prevented or delayed the onset of adolescent drug use. Beginning with an overview of the theoretical triad that served as the project's foundation, we describe the processes used to understand the unfolding dynamics within the collaboration and provide a checklist for those who might wish to replicate the collaborative process.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors sought to address client perspectives on the Internet-based Journey Mapping evaluation tool in a drug court program and found that using this tool initiated behavioral change, promoted cognitive change, tracked personal treatment progress, and created a way for their program feedback to be considered by staff.
Abstract: The researchers sought to address client perspectives on the Internet-based Journey Mapping evaluation tool in a drug court program. Ten clients, who used this tool for 3 months, participated in interviews and responded to a short questionnaire. The qualitative data analysis was coded according to the constant comparative method. Clients reported that utilizing Journey Mapping initiated behavioral change, promoted cognitive change, tracked personal treatment progress, and created a way for their program feedback to be considered by staff. Analysis of client data suggested that Journey Mapping enhanced clients' treatment progress, and it not only uncovered program data, but also provided individual clients with their own tangible achievement data.
TL;DR: Abstinence was much higher among Turks and drinking rates were higher among the autochthonous population, however, when comparing regular drinkers, weekend use of alcohol was higher than usual among Turks.
Abstract: In this study, the prevalence of alcohol use and help-seeking behaviors among second-generation Turks in The Netherlands (born in The Netherlands, but having at least 1 Turkish parent) has been assessed by means of postal surveys and compared with the autochthonous Dutch population (individuals with both parents born in The Netherlands). The prevalence of abstaining, excessive alcohol use, binge drinking, and problem drinking among the Turks was 63.3%, 3.7%, 5.4%, and 1.8%, respectively. Abstinence was much higher among Turks and drinking rates were higher among the autochthonous population. However, when comparing regular drinkers, weekend use of alcohol was higher among Turks. Implications for further research and prevention activities are discussed.
TL;DR: Findings from 2 focus groups suggest that monitoring children, shared values about parenting, and screening strangers entering the community helped residents establish a safe environment with healthy principles.
Abstract: This pilot study examines how children and their caretakers who live in public housing experience and manage drug activities that surround them. Consistent with social disorganization/collective efficacy models and defensible space theory, findings from 2 focus groups suggest that monitoring children, shared values about parenting, and screening strangers entering the community helped residents establish a safe environment with healthy principles. Residents insulated their courtyard neighborhood from outside public housing residents, presumably to minimize competition over resources and restrict what they see as negative influences. Social work community practitioners need to tap into the collective efficacy of these vital neighborhoods to help the broader public housing community.
TL;DR: In this article, the concurrent validity of the Alcohol and Other Drug Identification (AODI) scale was evaluated along with the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ), a measure of mental health workers' attitudes toward working with substance abusers.
Abstract: This study measured the concurrent validity of the Alcohol and Other Drug Identification (AODI) scale, a measure of barriers to social workers addressing substance abuse issues with their clients. The scale was administered along with the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ), a measure of mental health workers' attitudes toward working with substance abusers. A total of 197 graduate social work students and field supervisors participated in a Web-based administration of the scales. Principal components analysis indicated that three subscale factors of the AODI remained, with two items deleted. All subscale factors of the AODI negatively correlated with the DDPPQ, indicating evidence for concurrent validity.
TL;DR: Chui and O'Connor as mentioned in this paper report part of the qualitative findings generated from a pilot study to examine problem gambling in the ethnic communities in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia.
Abstract: This article reports part of the qualitative findings generated from a pilot study to examine problem gambling in the ethnic communities in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia (see Chui & O’Connor, 2006). It provides an analysis of the specific perceptions and experiences of two women with gambling problems and of their two case workers. Each interview lasted from 1 to 3 hours; where informants could not speak English a bilingual interpreter assisted in the interview process.© 2008 by The Haworth Press. All rights reserved.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the extent to which peer relations and friendship network helped to explain gender differences in employment and found that casual friendship network measures were positively correlated with self-reported illegal employment for both female and male drug court participants.
Abstract: The research literature has identified gender differences in employment with substance-using women less likely to obtain and maintain employment when compared to men. The purpose of this study was to examine the association among gender, employment, peer relations, and friendship network among a sample of substance-using offenders in 2 drug court programs. This study examined the extent to which peer relations and friendship network helped to explain gender differences in employment. Overall, findings indicated that men reported more days of legal employment than did women during the 6 months before drug court. Furthermore, casual friendship network measures were positively correlated with self-reported illegal employment for both female and male drug court participants, but close friendship network measures were negatively correlated with illegal employment among the women. Findings are discussed for treatment and employment implications for substance-using offenders.