Showing papers in "Journal of Social Work Practice in The Addictions in 2009"
TL;DR: Recommendations for SA screening and a framework for cross-system collaboration are presented with specific recommendations for the ways in which social workers in both MR and SA service settings can promote positive client outcomes.
Abstract: People with mental retardation (MR) and addiction are an especially vulnerable population, yet evidence-based approaches to substance abuse (SA) treatment for this group are limited. Research suggests that SA-related services for this population are most likely received in nonaddiction settings that are generally focused on provision of mental health services to populations with MR and that might be unequipped for this work. This fact, combined with documented challenges to cross-system collaboration, suggests the potential for discontinuities in care for people with MR and SA. Recommendations for SA screening and a framework for cross-system collaboration are presented with specific recommendations for the ways in which social workers in both MR and SA service settings can promote positive client outcomes.
36 citations
TL;DR: A screening and brief intervention practice model that emphasizes a feasible and practical framework for social workers to screen for potential substance abuse problems in non-substance-abuse practice settings and make appropriate brief interventions is provided.
Abstract: The social costs of substance abuse problems in the United States are staggering. Although social work has a long history of working in the substance abuse field, the profession does not pay similar attention to potential substance abuse problems in non-substance-abuse practice areas despite the high prevalence of substance abuse in these settings. A screening and brief intervention practice model that emphasizes a feasible and practical framework for social workers to screen for potential substance abuse problems in non-substance-abuse practice settings and make appropriate brief interventions is provided. Implications for social work educators, administrators, and practitioners are discussed.
29 citations
TL;DR: Findings suggest that clearly defined procedures and sufficient staffing of qualified substance abuse counselors could lead to better programs.
Abstract: This article presents findings from a process evaluation of a pilot program to address parental substance abuse in the child welfare system. By placing substance abuse counselors in a local child welfare office, the collocation program was designed to facilitate early identification, timely referral to treatment, and improved treatment engagement of substance-abusing parents. Frontline child welfare workers in 6 of the 7 pilot sites endorsed the program as they found that the collocated substance abuse counselors provided additional resources and facilitated case processing. Findings suggest that clearly defined procedures and sufficient staffing of qualified substance abuse counselors could lead to better programs.
28 citations
Abstract: This study explored the relationship between 2 theories of motivation: self-determination theory (SDT) and the transtheoretical model of change (TTM), and sought to determine whether the source of motivation described by SDT would predict TTM's stage of change. SDT was operationalized as the level of internal or external motivation for treatment, and TTM was operationalized as 3 stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, and action. Our data came from the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study published in 2004. A multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that there was a significant relationship between source of motivation and stage of change at intake. Controlling for severity, treatment history, legal status, and primary substance use, persons entering treatment with higher levels of internal motivation were more likely to be in the action stage than the precontemplation stage. Higher levels of internal motivation also predicted a greater likelihood of being in the contemplation rather th...
26 citations
TL;DR: Correlational analyses of practitioner survey data found that the organizational resource of adequate computer equipment and the staff attributes of professional growth, efficacy, and job satisfaction facilitated intention to adopt and implement MI.
Abstract: Based on Simpson's program change model, this study explored personal and organizational barriers and facilitators of transferring a research-based innovation, motivational interviewing (MI), into the practices of county-employed case managers and counselors. A mixed-method perspective was employed whereby practitioner and consumer data were gathered via focus groups, and additional practitioner data were collected by means of a 2-wave panel survey. Practitioner focus group data revealed several perceived organizational barriers related to the resource of time, whereas the consumer focus group data uncovered the potential need for practitioners to adopt a research-based technology such as MI. Correlational analyses of practitioner survey data found that the organizational resource of adequate computer equipment and the staff attributes of professional growth, efficacy, and job satisfaction facilitated intention to adopt and implement MI. Implications for human services administrators and MI trainers are d...
20 citations
TL;DR: Differences between recent MSW graduates who had received and not received advanced standing status regarding their perceived preparedness and perceived knowledge to work with substance abuse issues are examined.
Abstract: The granting of advanced standing status to bachelor of social work (BSW) students, exempting them from foundation study in master of social work (MSW) programs, has been controversial. The authors examined differences between recent MSW graduates who had received (n = 87) and not received (n = 124) advanced standing status regarding their perceived preparedness and perceived knowledge to work with substance abuse issues. No statistically significant differences in mean scores were found. However, mean scores for both groups were moderate to low. Implications for substance abuse education and advanced standing in social work education are discussed.
19 citations
TL;DR: The Brief Individual Readiness for Change Scale (BITCS) as discussed by the authors is a rapid assessment tool for use with addiction program staff practitioners and social workers to identify and ameliorate points of practitioner resistance prior to implementation of these techniques.
Abstract: The Brief Individual Readiness for Change Scale is a rapid assessment tool for use with addiction program staff practitioners and social workers. Technology transfer and research-to-practice readiness are essential to programs and practitioners faced with implementing evidence-based practice techniques and showing positive outcomes. The focus of scale development to date has been global assessment of organizational readiness for change. A crucial, although frequently overlooked, element of technology transfer success is readiness for change of individual practitioners who are relied on to implement the new techniques. The ability to identify and ameliorate points of practitioner resistance prior to implementation of these techniques is a key to avoiding frustration, low staff morale, and poor outcomes. This study attempts to establish initial psychometrics of a brief scale to screen for practitioner's readiness for change. It is based on a sample of 594 addiction practitioners in 2 Southern states.
18 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that dual-problem men in treatment at a publicly funded substance abuse treatment center who self-reported battering and 84 men adjudicated for battering who met eligibility criteria for substance abuse, but no differences in domestic violence would be found between the two groups.
Abstract: Substance abuse and domestic violence tend to co-occur in about half of the men seen in either substance abuse treatment or batterer intervention programs. The existence of so many dual-problem men suggests that screening for co-occurring problems should occur in all settings serving either substance abusers or batterers, but this is not the case. This study sampled 49 men in treatment at a publicly funded substance abuse treatment center who self-reported battering and 84 men adjudicated for battering who met eligibility criteria for substance abuse. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to test hypotheses that dual-problem men in substance abuse treatment would show significantly greater levels of substance abuse behavior than dual-problem men in batterer intervention, but that no differences in domestic violence would be found between the 2 groups. Both hypotheses were supported. Implications for social work practice, including the need for collaboration across fields, universal screening for both...
17 citations
TL;DR: The curriculum of Canada's 35 faculties and schools of social work was examined using the core competencies to determine the extent of addiction education received by undergraduate and graduate social work students.
Abstract: The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, in conjunction with key Canadian stakeholders, has developed a guideline outlining 18 core competencies for those working with clients with addiction issues The curriculum of Canada's 35 faculties and schools of social work were examined using the core competencies to determine the extent of addiction education received by undergraduate and graduate social work students All social work addiction courses were elective offerings, although faculty teaching in this area did express a desire to shift the focus of addiction studies away from elective to core course offerings The majority of competency-based education at the faculties and schools of social work is taught at a generalist level, and graduate schools of social work teach fewer core addiction competencies than undergraduate Although competency-based education is generally viewed positively and adopted at faculties and schools of social work, only one third of addiction courses matched with the 18 core comp
15 citations
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a social work in-reach model for identifying women's substance abuse service needs while in jail and increasing their motivation and abilities to obtain services on reentry to the community is presented.
Abstract: This article presents a social work in-reach model for identifying women's substance abuse service needs while in jail and increasing their motivation and abilities to obtain services on reentry to the community. The authors describe important aspects of the Women and Jails Project and its development that can help inform social work practice in this area. Data are reported on the first 1,091 women participating in the project. Specific issues and practical suggestions for planning, conducting, and evaluating this type of in-reach intervention are examined. Implications for social work practice and future outcomes research are discussed.
TL;DR: Choices as discussed by the authors is a jail-based substance abuse treatment program located in a suburban county jail in the US state of Illinois. But it does not address mental health issues and does not offer any mental health services.
Abstract: Many jail inmates have high rates of substance use and abuse disorders, as well as a range of other social problems. Yet, the majority of jails do not offer substance abuse treatment programs. Few studies detail the development and implementation of these programs that can serve as a guide to social workers and others who seek to start them. To address this void, we describe the development and 7-year implementation of the Choices program, a jail-based substance abuse treatment program located in a suburban county jail. We conclude with recommendations for developing and implementing jail-based substance abuse treatment programs that draw on the experiences of Choices and other jail-based programs reported in the literature.
TL;DR: The definition of relapse was evaluated using a typology derived from an interrater agreement analysis and it was indicated that a multifaceted operationalization was most often used to indicate success.
Abstract: In clinical settings, clients treated for alcohol abuse or dependency often engage with multiple service providers. Nonstandardized definitions for treatment outcome obscure treatment success. Using content analysis and preestablished selection criteria on a set of alcohol treatment outcome studies conducted between 1990 and 2006, we evaluated the definition of relapse using a typology derived from an interrater agreement analysis. The interrater agreement was good and the modal category indicated that a multifaceted operationalization was most often used to indicate success. Key to standardizing treatment success might be inclusion of multiple domains of life function in defining relapse.
TL;DR: The philosophical, programmatic, and policy implications for the implementation of integrated screening and intervention across these service delivery systems are discussed as a more comprehensive approach to helping women IPA survivors who abuse substances.
Abstract: Substance use problems among women survivors of intimate partner abuse (IPA) present unique challenges in screening for the co-occurrence of these 2 issues. The lack of coordinated efforts and integrated services is startling given the prevalence and subsequent risks among those who suffer at the crossroads of these 2 complex and interrelated problems. This article critically examines the issues in screening to identify IPA victimization and substance abuse in selected service delivery systems. The philosophical, programmatic, and policy implications for the implementation of integrated screening and intervention across these service delivery systems are discussed as a more comprehensive approach to helping women IPA survivors who abuse substances.
TL;DR: Over 3 years, 14,162 persons requesting both substance-use-specific and non-substance- use-specific services were screened with the Rapid Alcohol Problem Screen, with a positive score.
Abstract: Brief screening for problem substance use was conducted in a midsize Midwestern city in community-based agencies that provided a range of services. Over 3 years, 14,162 persons requesting both subs...
TL;DR: A rationale for the movement toward EBPs in substance abuse treatment is provided, evidentiary standards for EBPs are compared and the role of the single-state agency for substance abuse services (SSA) in creating a culture that supports the development, adoption, implementation and evaluation of EBPs is discussed.
Abstract: As a matter of policy, public and private purchasers of substance abuse treatment services are requiring the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. Social work practitioners and agency leaders should be familiar with EBPs specific to substance abuse treatment as they regularly serve individuals with substance use disorders. The goals of this article are to (a) provide a rationale for the movement toward EBPs in substance abuse treatment; (b) compare evidentiary standards for EBPs; (c) familiarize leaders of substance abuse treatment agencies with available resources on EBPs; (d) discuss the role of the single-state agency for substance abuse services (SSA) in creating a culture that supports the development, adoption, implementation and evaluation of EBPs; and (e) highlight the variables that influence the implementation of EBPs on an agency level.
TL;DR: Blunt: (a) characterized by directness in manner or speech, or (b) a cigar filled with marijuana that has become a popular mode of ingestion among adolescents and young adults as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Blunt: (a) characterized by directness in manner or speech, or (b) a cigar filled with marijuana that has become a popular mode of ingestion among adolescents and young adults. Despite my experienc...
TL;DR: Results based on focus group interviews with 23 women suggest that the variables of empowerment, holistic services, children in treatment, domestic violence services, cohesion, and staff characteristics have distinct effects on women's experiences in chemical dependency treatment.
Abstract: Research suggests that gender-specific treatment for women with chemical dependency issues might be more effective than dual-gender programs. Several authors have posited that this might be due to the fact that women in treatment have differing sets of presenting problems than men. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate women's experiences in a single-gender, holistically focused chemical dependency treatment program. Results based on focus group interviews with 23 women suggest that the variables of empowerment, holistic services, children in treatment, domestic violence services, cohesion, and staff characteristics have distinct effects on women's experiences in chemical dependency treatment. Questions for further study are offered.
TL;DR: The interlocking relationship between these 2 sectors is described, the intent and process of screening and assessment for substance abuse problems are explained, the steps of a brief intervention are clarified, and obstacles that social workers might face when they implement screening, assessment, and brief intervention programs are explored.
Abstract: Given the pervasiveness of substance abuse, it is not feasible for the community and specialty substance abuse treatment sectors to operate independently of each other. Functional division of labor between these 2 sectors can allow for efficient use of limited state, federal, local, and private resources to address substance abuse issues. Social workers in both sectors can enhance their effectiveness by recognizing their interlocking relationship and by learning how to implement practice changes that will navigate the distance between these 2 separate, but interdependent entities. This article differentiates between the specialty and nonspecialty substance abuse treatment sectors, describes the interlocking relationship between these 2 sectors, explains the intent and process of screening and assessment for substance abuse problems, clarifies the steps of a brief intervention, and explores obstacles that social workers might face when they implement screening, assessment, and brief intervention programs.
TL;DR: In this paper, a cross-sectional survey of administrative support and blue-collar maintenance employees was conducted at a public, urban university in the United States, where data were gathered from self-report mail surveys.
Abstract: Guided by the social ecological perspective, this investigation explored relationships among work environment stressors, individual social vulnerabilities, and their interactions in the prediction of employee problem drinking. This cross-sectional survey of administrative support and blue-collar maintenance employees was conducted at a public, urban university in the United States. Data were gathered from self-report mail surveys. Data analyzed were from a weighted sample of 409 employees classified into 1 of 3 drinking groups: abstainers, nonproblem drinkers, and problem drinkers. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that the interactions of decreased work alienation and having met most friends at work as well as decreased work alienation and participation in nonwork-related social groups both predicted problem drinking. These results indicate the usefulness of examining interactions between work environment stressors and individual social vulnerabilities in studies of employee alcohol probl...
TL;DR: In this article, both classic and contemporary essays and articles on the historical and present-day patterns of and societal reactions to legal and illegal drug use in the United States are discussed.
Abstract: This book features both classic and contemporary essays and articles on the historical and present-day patterns of and societal reactions to legal and illegal drug use in the United States. The col...
TL;DR: This paper conducted a qualitative study of student assistance and prevention counseling in New York State that focuses on three components of these programs: program history and evolution, program operations, and program effects.
Abstract: This article reports on a qualitative study of student assistance and prevention counseling in New York State that focuses on 3 components of these programs: program history and evolution, program operations, and program effects. Data collection methods used in the field study included focus groups, key informant interviews, and site observations; grounded theory and constant comparison were employed for analysis. The study found that all program sites had long-standing prevention programs that evolved over time. The research team was struck by the unique characteristics and approaches used by each of the 14 sites. Not a single program was a replica of another, but individual counseling was found to be a core component of each program. The study concluded that although prevention counseling is well suited to addressing the problem of adolescent substance abuse, there is little research on outcomes.
TL;DR: The authors used structural equation modeling to empirically test structural relationships constituting risk and protective factors, as well as the influence of participation in Corazon de Aztlan (Heart of My People), a culturally competent substance use prevention program developed for Latina/o adolescents.
Abstract: Family interactional theory, primary socialization theory, the social developmental model, and differential acculturation theory inform a conceptual framework explaining Latina/o adolescent substance use. Structural equation modeling is used to empirically test structural relationships constituting risk and protective factors, as well as the influence of participation in Corazon de Aztlan (“Heart of My People”), a culturally competent substance use prevention program developed for Latina/o adolescents. Youth reporting higher conflict with family reported higher peer conflict, which was positively associated with greater youth substance use. Greater family substance use was associated with greater peer substance use, which was associated with greater youth substance use. Youth reported less substance use after participating in Corazon de Aztlan.
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TL;DR: The challenges of collaborating with trained bilingual clinicians along with issues of mental health promotion in rural Latino communities are identified and ways to reduce, and eventually eliminate, minority health inequities are discussed.
Abstract: Much of the research on the causes of minority health disparities has focused on populations in large cities Yet, the growth of the Latino population in rural areas in the United States often results in isolation of these communities, fewer resources, and invisible barriers that lead to health disparities Specifically, substance use is of growing concern in many rural Latino communities To help eliminate health disparities, treatment must be provided by well-trained, qualified, and culturally competent health professionals This article reviews the relevant literature that highlights health disparity issues, and discusses ways to reduce, and eventually eliminate, minority health inequities by building on and strengthening the community partners' ability to collaborate on intervention programs The challenges of collaborating with trained bilingual clinicians along with issues of mental health promotion in rural Latino communities are identified