Describes an alcohol recovery program offered by White Bison, Inc. (Colorado Springs), that integrates the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with traditional Native American ceremonies and medicine wheel teachings symbolizing the life cycle. (LP)

A survey of 72 Mexican American and 196 Anglo community-college students examined attitudes about alcohol use, addiction models, and the relative effectiveness of four types of alcoholism treatment programs. Mexican American students reported less alcohol use and rated all programs as more effective than did Anglos. Among Mexican Americans,…

Compares Hispanic adult children of alcoholics with Hispanic adult children of nonalcoholics on Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms. Finds significantly higher scores in Somatoform Disorders and Psychological Factors Affecting Physical Conditions scales among children of alcoholics. Women displayed higher scores than men on Affective…

Compared homelessness among persons in a metropolitan setting based on whether or not the person had migrated from a rural area. Found that those from rural areas had a lower level of educational achievement, experienced a higher degree of isolation from families, and frequently had come to the urban area seeking jobs. (KS)

Prevalence and specific types of substance abuse were examined in sample of 206 cases of child abuse or neglect brought before juvenile court. In 43 percent of the cases, at least one parent had a documented problem with alcohol or drugs. Results are discussed in terms of prediction and the importance of screening and treatment of parental…

Reviews literature on marital status and well-being. Review finds little support for selection hypothesis which asserts that the relationship between marital status and well-being is spurious because emotional maturity explains both conditions. However, the evidence is consistent with protection/support hypothesis that a marital partner who…

Observed adolescent offspring (n=121) of alcoholic, depressed, and nondistressed fathers during problem-solving discussions with fathers, mothers, and both parents together. Found that nondistressed father-child dyads differed from clinical samples in showing higher rates of congeniality and problem solving, whereas impact of alcohol consumption…

Investigated the degree to which current alcohol abuse and psychopathology in adult children of alcoholics (COAs) are associated with the COAs' reports of family disruption, family coping, and individual child coping when the child lived with the parent. Family disruption and coping strategies were found to influence the subsequent adult…

Sees many adult children of alcoholics identifying themselves in hero role, making it useful tool for uncovering negative behaviors and starting to work toward change. Describes alcoholic home and hero roles of overachiever, controller, and perfectionist. Considers usefulness of individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, and play…

Discusses the problem of alcohol abuse on college campuses and notes a current project of the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse to identify effective programs. Urges institutions to recognize the difficulty of changing the alcohol-reliant culture on most campuses and to examine ways in which the institution actually fosters this…

Describes an instrument that identifies the risk of late-onset (reactive) alcoholism and the presence of unresolved loss-grief issues. Instrument was tested on 96 adults aged 60 and over. Found an interrelationship between unresolved loss-grief issues and depression. Rates the likelihood that these conditions may lead to alcoholism. (EMK)

Examines the incidence of psychopathy among an alcoholic-offender population (N=128) and compares psychopathic and non-psychopathic alcoholics in relation to childhood history, demographics, alcohol dependence, violence, and suicide. Results indicate that 20% of offenders could be classified as psychopaths. These persons were more alcohol…

Relapse prevention, based on the cognitive-behavioral model of relapse, has become an adjunct to the treatment of numerous psychological problems, including (but not limited to) substance abuse, depression, sexual offending, and schizophrenia. This article provides an overview of the efficacy and effectiveness of relapse prevention in the…

Decisions about using addictive substances are influenced by distractions by addiction-related stimuli, of which the user might be unaware. The addiction-Stroop task is a paradigm used to assess this distraction. The empirical evidence for the addiction-Stroop effect is critically reviewed, and meta-analyses of alcohol-related and smoking-related…

The 12 steps of the well-known mutual help group, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), begin with Step One, admitting powerlessness. Although Step One has helped many problem drinkers and other addicts, its spiritual concepts have been criticized. The possibility of reconceptualizing powerlessness as empowering, not only within AA and its offshoot programs,…