Associations between Relationship Satisfaction and Drinking Urges for Women in Alcohol Behavioral Couples and Individual Therapy

This study examined the association between relationship satisfaction and drinking urges among women who participated in alcohol behavioral individual therapy (ABIT) and Alcohol Behavioral Couples Therapy (ABCT). Relationship satisfaction and drinking urges were not related on a daily level, but urges were related to mean levels of relationship satisfaction, and this association was moderated by treatment condition and time in treatment. Women with higher relationship satisfaction had fewer drinking urges, and women in ABCT with higher relationship satisfaction experienced greater reductions in urges during treatment. These findings suggest that ABCT may target the association between relationship satisfaction and drinking urges.     

The Effects of Parental Alcoholism upon Locus of Control and Intimacy of Recovering Alcoholics

Abstract

This study examines the effects of parental alcoholism on the differentiation of self, locus of control scores among 68 members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in New Jersey 46 of whom were adult children of alcoholics (ACOA). ACOAs with alcoholic mothers had higher chance external locus of control scores than did ACOAs with an alcoholic father. ACOAs with alcoholic mothers had lower spousal intimacy scores than did the ACOA group with both alcoholic parents.     

Forgiveness and Alcohol Problems: A Review of the Literature and a Call for Intervention-Based Research

Despite empirical associations with many health-related outcomes and its fundamental place in Alcoholics Anonymous, the scientific study of forgiveness in addiction and recovery has only recently begun. Evidence derives from naturalistic studies and, when used, a short follow-up interval. It is time to expand the empirical study of the salutary forgiveness–alcohol association to include intervention-based research with sufficient follow-up intervals. Understanding the basic and nuanced effect of forgiveness among people with alcohol and other drug problems, though not a panacea, will inform the development of more refined and efficient treatment strategies for individuals struggling with alcoholism and addiction.     

Readiness to Change Profiles in Two Different Groups of Alcohol/Other Drug Abusers in the United States and Finland

Information on alcohol/other drug abusers' readiness to change is needed for the individual planning of treatment. We investigated the readiness to change profiles of Finnish and North American alcohol/other drug abusers. The Finnish subjects (N = 780) were unselected alcoholics and polydrug users receiving inpatient treatment. The North American subjects (N = 946) were selected outpatient alcoholics treated on Project MATCH. Readiness to change was measured with the URICA (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale). In the cluster analyses the subjects were placed in groups. The findings indicated that the readiness to change profiles of Americans and Finns are similar in form, but there were quantitative differences in grouping. The Finns' profiles were more often of the type resisting change compared to those of the Americans. These differences are most likely due to the fact that the Finnish subjects were unselected inpatients whereas the Americans were selected outpatients. The article considers the significance of the findings in the light of earlier profile studies and the treatment of alcohol/other drug abuse.     

Group-Delivered Brief Intervention versus Standard Care for Mixed Alcohol/Other Drug Problems

Abstract

This study compared a Motivational Interviewing inspired group intervention with standard care in naturalistic alcohol/other drug abuse samples. A community-recruited alcohol/other drug abuse or dependent sample (N = 67) was provided up to four sessions of groupadapted Motivational Interviewing (GAMI). Newly admitted patients (N = 64) in two multimodal treatment settings were also recruited. Quasi-experimental comparison of outcomes from GAMI versus real-world standard care (SC) indicated significant within-group improvement on all main outcomes in both groups. SC was associated with significantly more abstinence days, and better family and social outcomes at six-month posttreatment compared to GAMI. Differences in reductions in alcohol or drug-related dysfunction were not detected. Thus, group-delivered MI intervention was associated with significant improvements in alcohol/other drug use outcomes. However, consideration of group-delivered MI as a replacement for more intensive standard care is, for the moment, uncertain.     

The Role of the Transcendental Meditiation Technique in Promoting Smoking Cessation:

No abstract available for this article.     

Drug Dependent Women in Boot Camp Programs

Female offenders are entering the criminal justice system at a rapidly increasing rate. Women are likely to use alcohol and other drugs during criminal activity. Eight states have females in Boot Camps; data on such programs is limited. This article presents data on one program.     

Spirituality and Religiousness and Alcohol/Other Drug Problems

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.     

Solution Focused Group Treatment with Publicly Funded Alcohol/Other Drug Abuse Clients in Rural Settings

The unique challenges associated with providing substance abuse treatment in rural settings with publicly funded clients are examined. Solution-focused strategies have proven particularly well suited to these settings. Strategies and techniques discussed include a strong focus on client engagement and use of client feedback, focus on “wellness,” use of the “miracle question,” and exception periods.     

Homeless Alcohol/Other Drug Abusers

Publications relating to pregnancy outcome of voluntary volatile solvent abuse were obtained from a computerized literature search and a review of Cumulated Index Medicus for the years 1976 to 1993. A brief preliminary review of reports on involuntary exposure was also done. The studies were reviewed regarding such factors as congenital defects and spontaneous abortions. Shortcomings in the methods of determining a causal association between maternal voluntary solvent exposure and the fetal solvent syndrome (Toluene Embryopathy) raise questions concerning the existence of a discrete syndrome. Suggestions are made for further epidemiologic research to demonstrate a causal association.     

Alcohol Use Among Latino Males

SUMMARY

This paper examines the factors surrounding the use of alcohol among Latino males. Prevention and treatment strategies for the provision of culturally competent treatment services are proposed, based on an analysis of the literature.     

Treating Individuals and Families for Alcohol/Other Drug Problems in an Intensive Outpatient Setting

ABSTRACT

This article presents a family program set in an intensive outpatient setting for treating alcohol/other drug problems. The program stems from concern that families are not provided enough attention and/or services as residential settings have provided in the past. In addition, the collaborative process in developing the program between professionals from two different disciplines will be illuminated.     

Family Systems and Motivational Interviewing: A Systemic-Motivational Model for Treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems

SUMMARY

Despite growing evidence of the impact of substance abuse disorders on families and the effectiveness of family-based treatment approaches for these disorders, family therapy remains an underutilized modality for these conditions. One reason may be the relative paucity of treatment models combining family systems concepts with current advances in substance abuse treatment. This paper describes one such approach, called the Systemic Motivational Model, a treatment model that has as its goal the integration of the empirically-grounded family systems model of alcoholism treatment first developed in the 1980s (the Family Life History model) with the core ideas encompassed in Motivational Enhancement Therapy.     

Group Therapy with Older Alcoholics

Group therapy for elderly alcoholics is discussed using examples from the author's clinical experience in an outpatient alcoholism program for older alcoholics. Included in the discussion are perspectives from literature on group treatment with the elderly and group treatment with alcoholics; very little has been written specifically on elderly alcoholics in groups The paper explores several aspects of group work with older problem drinkers: accessibility of treatment in terms of group location and setting; the various functions that a therapy group serves for older alcoholics; and issues in the role of the group leader.     

Arab Americans in Publicly Financed Alcohol/Other Drug Abuse Treatment

Little is known about Arab Americans, a rapidly growing ethnic group, and their involvement in alcohol/other drug abuse treatment. Using fiscal year 2005 Michigan data for all publicly funded alcohol/other drug abuse treatment, Arab American admissions were compared to admissions for American Indian, Hispanic, African American, and Non-Hispanic/Non-Arabic White. Arab Americans appear to account for a disproportionately small percentage of admissions to publicly funded alcohol/other drug abuse treatment. Admission profiles were generally similar across ethnicities, with the exception that Arab Americans were entering treatment after shorter duration of use. These data can inform development of treatment programs and outreach efforts.     

A Comparison of the Self-Reported Problems of Alcoholics,Drug Dependent Persons,and Multiple Drug Dependent Persons at Admission

Four diagnostic groups of newly admitted patients to Eagleville Hospital's Inpatient Program (A-alcohol dependence only; A + D-primary alcohol dependence, with secondary drug dependence or abuse; D - drug dependence only; D + A-primary drug dependence, with secondary alcohol dependence or abuse) were compared with respect to their self-reported problems on the Substance Abuse Problem Checklist (SAPC). When statistical controls were exercised for sex and age in a threeway ANOVA, the four diagnostic groups evidenced more similarities than differences. Main effect results for diagnosis, independent of age and sex, indicated that multiple substance abusers (MSA's), the A + D and D + A patients, reported significantly more problems on the SAPC than did the single substance abusers (SSA's), the A only and D only patients. This result is believed to be due to the MSA group's greater willingness to report problems early in treatment than the SSA groups.     

Adult Attachment,Emotional Distress,and Interpersonal Problems in Alcohol and Drug Dependency Treatment

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between adult attachment, emotional distress, and interpersonal problems in a sample of alcohol- and other drug-dependent patients. Results indicated that patients with a Preoccupied or Fearful attachment style were overrepresented in this alcohol and other drug-dependent sample. Further, patients with a Preoccupied or Fearful style reported more interpersonal problems and higher levels of anxiety and depression than patients with a Secure or Dismissing style. Clinical implications include assessing attachment styles in alcohol and other drug-dependent patients to identify patients who may need early intervention strategies targeting emotional and interpersonal problems. These strategies may improve alcohol and other drug dependency treatment outcomes as negative affect is a primary relapse trigger and is associated with attrition from treatment.