This chapter explores the issues involved in the relationship between lesbianism and alcoholism. It examines the constellation of health and related problems created by alcoholism, and it critically interrogates the societal factors that contribute to the disproportionately high rates of alcoholism among lesbians by exploring the antecedents and…

This study explored the relations between parental problem drinking, adolescent-parent communication, and adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Surveys were administered to a diverse sample of 683 15-17-years-old adolescents in the spring of 2007 and again in the spring of 2008. Results indicated that paternal problem drinking directly predicted…

The purpose of the present study was to learn about the self-perception of women who live with alcohol-addicted partners. It was hoped that avoiding to label the women in advance as codependent would facilitate a better understanding of their lives and self-perceptions. The qualitative naturalist methodology used was based on a feminist framework.…

Comments on extending the parameters of the subject of social thought on alcoholism. Maintains that this subject is a vast intellectual, professional, and societal terrain. Suggests use of appropriate, sophisticated, comprehensive research methodologies with which to understand the issue of alcohol and alcoholism in society. (PVV)

Reviews available statistics regarding drug and alcohol abuse among Blacks and compares these data to those for Whites. Discusses the negative effects of substance abuse on the Black community and argues that the overall poorer health status of Black Americans is due in part to discriminatory conditions. (GC)

Examines attitudes toward excessive alcohol drinking among military dependents residing in Europe. Favorable attitudes toward excessive drinking are relatively common in this population. Socio-psychological dimensions as perception of causes leading to alcohol intake, cognitive level of alcohol, and attitudes toward alcohol education are…

Focuses on issues related to the misuse of alcohol in a community: the nature of alcohol problems, social and personal factors which contribute to causing alcohol problems, and the relationship between early childhood experiences and later alcohol use. (CM)

Suggests that four social processes protect against alcoholism in American Jews: (1) association of alcohol abuse with non-Jews; (2) integration of moderate drinking norms, practices, and symbolism during childhood through religious and secular ritual; (3) restriction of adult relationships to other moderate drinkers; and (4) techniques to avoid…

The research described here focused on personal, life context, and help-related factors to trace the long-term course of treated and untreated alcohol-use disorders. A group of 461 individuals who sought help for alcohol problems was surveyed at baseline and 1, 3, 8, and 16 years later. Compared with individuals who remained untreated, individuals…

A current focus in evaluating suicide risk is the "clinical model" approach, which determines those factors associated with high risk for suicide. The sociological factors identified as estimators of suicide risk included impaired health, job instability, multiple unit residence, no change in living setting, and modest financial resources. (JAC)

Examined college students' (n=276) definitions of social and problem drinking for male and female students in two common drinking situations. Results indicated that definitions of social and problem drinking were strongly influenced by drinking context, and estimates of amount opposite sex problem drinkers drank was greater than that for same sex…

Examines the extent of adolescent drug abuse and alcoholism, psychological factors that lead to drug abuse and drinking, and treatment approaches that have been used with young people. Focuses on drug-abusing family systems and the roles of the school and the community in combatting drug abuse. (Author/GC)

Summarizes research on social determinants (e.g., parental, peer, school, and religious influences) and personal determinants (e.g., self-esteem, rebelliousness, impulse-control, and interpersonal trust) of adolescent use and abuse of alcohol and marijuana. Provides a summary of generalizations to assist practitioners in the process of designing…

Drug use and abuse, alcoholism, and addiction are the results of deeper social, economic, and political problems. Thus, the negative effects of these substances are more severe in the Black community. Civil rights and other political and social organizations must band together to plan strategies for solving these problems. (Author/GC)

Compares assessment results of inpatients with alcoholism who have made a serious suicide attempt and a matched sample of inpatients with alcoholism who have no history of suicide attempts. Discriminant function analysis reveals that depression, social hopelessness, and socially prescribed perfectionism are unique discriminators of suicide groups.…