People with drinking problems are overrepresented in counseling settings. Counselors have been unable to identify accurately the problem drinker, resulting in a decrease in counselor effectiveness. Describes seven variables that help identify problem drinking and two variables that help diagnose alcoholism. Suggestions for conducting the…

Assessed potential differences between female undergraduate children of alcoholics (n=27) and children of nonalcoholics (n=76) in depression and choice of coping strategies. Although significant group differences were detected for level of depression, mean depression scores for both groups fell within the "no depression" range on the…

These comments represent a response to J. R. Culbreth and L. D. Borders (1999) and suggest consideration of other factors when addressing the impact of clinical supervision in the addictions field. This article supports formal graduate academic preparation for substance abuse counselors and clinical supervisors and challenges the use of…

Describes cognitive deficits that are attributable to alcoholism and discusses the prospect for recovery of these impaired skills. Considers the potential treatment role of neuropsychological testing and its implication for alcoholism counselors. (Author/KS)

Discusses the issue of Black men as a population at risk, including these contributing factors: life expectancy, physical health and illness, alcohol abuse, suicide, education, military service, and psychological factors. Presents recommendations for helping service professionals, parents, and Black men themselves. (Author/ABL)

Describes investigation of relationship between parental alcoholism and psychological distress and mediating effects of social support and hardiness among undergraduates. Suggests parental alcoholism is positively related to psychological distress and higher levels of social support and hardiness are associated with lower levels of psychological…

Discusses family patterns of interaction that are thought to contribute to the maintenance of substance abuse. Preliminary research findings suggest that these families are often highly interdependent, that about 50 percent ideally desire some sort of triangulation between parents and offspring, and that about 50 percent have or are working toward…

Investigates the relationships between levels of depression in a sample of adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and non-ACOAs and patterns of parental drinking behaviors, intergenerational family interactions, attachment behaviors, and self-esteem. Drinking behaviors directly influenced family processes and indirectly influenced self-esteem but…

A brief history of Substance Use Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is presented, and the symptoms of substance dependence are presented. Substance dependence is distinguished from substance abuse. Assessment instruments, including laboratory tests and interviews for diagnosing substance use disorders, are…

Describes a campus-based psychoeducational support group for adult children of alcoholics. Outlines group goals; identifies recruitment procedures; and describes and evaluates sessions. Asserts that this successful group format could be easily adapted to other setting and age groups. (Author/ABB)

Explores issues surrounding sexual trauma and chemical dependency. Aims to provide direction for relapse prevention with a relapse-prone population and explores application of traditional milieu substance-abuse treatment for sexual-trauma survivors. Makes recommendations for working with sexual-trauma survivors who are also substance abusers. (RJM)

Describes contributions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to drug and alcohol treatment. Discusses potential for AA's steps to encourage growth, and examines their consistency with counseling philosophy. Proposes and contrasts 12 new steps based on counseling theory to stimulate constructive discussion. Advocates more solid boundaries between AA and…

Provides helping professionals with an overview of treatment issues referred to as spiritual by those recovering from alcohol and drug addictions through 12-step programs. Reviews conflicts between academically trained helping professionals and researchers, and those advocating spiritually oriented treatment programs. Discusses spiritual…

Viewing alcoholism in women from a biopsychosocial perspective reveals a unique set of circumstances and challenges that women alcoholics face when compared with men. Biologically, women react differently to alcohol ingestion than do men. Women reach higher blood alcohol levels and sustain more somatic and cognitive damage than men when consuming…

Volunteer participants (n=77) enrolled in 8 substance abuse treatment facilities were surveyed in order to examine the prevalence and nature of incest contacts among the group. Results indicated that approximately 49 percent of the participants had reported histories of incest. Data are presented under various parameters. Also gives comparisons by…