Psychosocial adjustment in children of alcoholics (N = 114) was examined in the year before and at three follow-ups in the 15 months after their alcoholic fathers entered alcoholism treatment, testing the hypothesis that children's adjustment problems will vary over time as a function of their fathers' heavy drinking patterns. Three unique…

Family patterns of dysfunction that often reinforce maladaptive behaviors and cognitions of children growing up in an alcoholic home environment are often difficult to overcome. Adjustment issues associated with being an adult child of an alcoholic (ACOA) are presented along with factors that have been identified as being important in developing…

The authors share results from two longitudinal studies exploring the impact of father's alcohol use on child development. The Michigan Longitudinal Study (MLS) has followed a sample of alcoholic families with 3-5 year old children for 20 years. The Buffalo Longitudinal Study (BLS) has followed a sample of alcoholic and nonalcoholic families…

Discusses current methods, problems, and results of psychological treatment for alcohol abuse, including alcoholism. Addresses external and internal validity problems specific to issues regarding who is treated for alcohol problems, and treatment and patient factors that predict response to alcoholism treatment. Reviews current data on…

Examined women (N=20) who were receiving alcoholism treatment in the skid-row area of Portland, Oregon. Women had histories of problem drinking and extensive treatment for alcoholism. Most had been married and had children. Despite transiency, the majority maintained contact with friends and relatives. Compared these women to New York City's…

Asserts that a primary concern to the alcoholic and to those who try to help him is the behavior that causes alcohol dependency. While not disputing the view that alcoholism may be a disease, argues that full responsibility should be assigned to the alcoholic for his behavior. (NB)

Pre, post, and follow-up evaluative and demographic measures were collected on 38 judges involved in a 4-day alcohol training program at two alcohol treatment centers. Results indicated that judges saw training experience as having significant impact on their roles as judges and their personal lives, but not as leading to changes in their personal…

Tested 86 male chronic alcoholics admitted to treatment. Found that attitude towards dreams as measured by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) item on understanding dreams was unrelated to scores on MMPI scales of psychopathology and to incidence of nightmares. Failed to confirm clinical expectations that positive attitude to dreams…

Examined verbal learning/memory in 60 male alcoholics. Results indicated that the predicted relative impairment of alcoholics with more difficult material did not occur, nor did the groups' learning curves differ, suggesting that rote associative learning either remains intact or recovers satisfactorily with abstinence. (Author/BL)

Seeks to redefine the issues in alcohol prevention. Finds that current concepts do not address all of the problems in preventing alcoholism. Recommends that theories, models, and research studies developed on the holistic health model be encouraged. (ABB)

Summarizes a study of Wisconsin's drunk driving law and evaluates the mandated alcohol assessment for convicted offenders. Findings indicated individuals operating while intoxicated remain young, male, unmarried, with high school educations. A substantial number of these persons were assessed with serious drinking problems. The strongest predictor…

Suggests that pathological denial in alcoholics may be a reaction to stress from past traumatic events, the sequelae of alcoholism, or even the treatment process itself. A case is presented that illustrates this conceptualization, and relevant treatment nuances are discussed. (Author/JAC)

This article describes the ways in which children cope with an alcoholic parent, gives clues to identify these children, and offers ways to help them understand alcoholism and improve their self-concept. Books and other resources are listed. (MT)

Examined the impact of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Ego Strength (Es) level on the relationship between posttreatment alcohol use and MMPI scores in 54 treated alcoholics. Results showed that for the low Es group, the more intensive the alcohol use, the higher the MMPI scores. (JAC)

Surveyed 88 aging agencies serving approximately 11,000 clients to assess their capabilities for serving elderly with alcohol problems. Alcoholism was not viewed as a major problem by agency administrators, but few policies and procedures for dealing with this population were extant. Discussed implications for policy and program development.…