Indians have the lowest life expectancy of any group in the US; the general state of Indian health lags 25 years behind the rest of the population. Article discusses problems of health delivery systems, alternative approaches to health care, and some of the most pressing health problems. (DS)

A major concern to anyone involved in the alcoholism field is the basic understanding of alcoholism as a disease that Hispanics have not yet completely accepted. Hispanics have usually labeled the use of alcoholic beverages as being embedded into Hispanic culture and have viewed alcoholism as an individual weakness to be endured in silence. (NQ)

Studies show that 40 percent of youth who begin drinking before age 13 are classified as alcohol dependent at some point in their lives. Explores three theories about adolescents' alcohol use, describes a national intervention program, lists warning signs of early drinking, and offers a policy preventing early drinking. (MLF)

Obtained information on addiction history, intervention and treatment, and family and community patterns from 221 Catholic Sisters in residential treatment for alcoholism. Findings suggest that, although respondents were similar to other women in their vulnerability to addiction, they carried added burdens because of societal expectations of…

Notes campus alcohol abuse presents campus administrators with a myriad of problems and seemingly conflicting goals. Suggests a systemic campus response, informed by applicable statutes and court decisions. Concludes that colleges are confronted by an urgent opportunity in the field of alcohol awareness. (Author/ABL)

Compared 10 compulsive eaters and their spouses with 10 compulsive drinkers and their spouses. Interview data revealed pattern suggesting that couples were often unable to process feelings and resolve conflicts. For subject, couple relationship seemed to affect and perpetuate compulsive behavior. Results point to need to redefine construct of…

Measured understanding and attitudes about alcoholism by comparing adults attending either alcohol education program or Alcoholics Anonymous program. Found that, for persons in close relationship with alcoholic, intervention programs reinforced knowledge about alcoholism and facilitated attitude change. Pre- to post-test results did not depend on…

Offers model to teach counselor trainees about behaviors exhibited by alcohol abusers in need of detoxification. Discusses behaviors displayed by helpers while conducting initial intake interviews with abusers seeking detoxification in a community setting and offers suggestions for how novice practitioners can establish rapport with such clients…

Examined whether families with alcoholic (N=39), recovered alcoholic (N=44), or only nonalcoholic members (N=42) differed on structural variables of cross-generational coalitions and hierarchy reversals. Results showed disproportionate number of reversals in alcoholic families: hierarchical reversals in 23 alcoholic families compared to 6…

Considers addictions and construct of codependence. Offers critical review and synthesis of codependency literature, along with an intergenerational family systems framework for conceptualizing the relationship of the dysfunctional family to the construct of codependence. Presents theoretical basis for systemic clinical work and research in this…

Examined relationship between admission of a drinking problem and intentions to seek treatment for problem drinking among college students (n=422). Found that students' (n=143) admission of alcoholism was significantly related to their intention to change alcohol-related behavior. (Author/NB)

Describes North of Market Older Women's Alcohol Program, outreach program to assist isolated and impoverished alcohol-dependent older women. Discusses service components focused on "building up" clientele and developing support networks rather than traditional approach of first "breaking down" alcoholic's defense barriers. Notes that sobriety was…

Alcoholic men (n=45) admitted for detoxification to treatment program underwent cue reactivity assessment protocol, and 91% received three-month follow-up interviews. Greater salivary reactivity predicted greater frequency of drinking during follow-up. Greater attention to stimulus or to response predicting less drinking. Cue reactivity did not…

Notes that children of alcoholics use common maladaptively successful methods to achieve their survival-oriented fictive goals and carry these behaviors with them into adulthood. Discusses insidious and enduring effects of alcoholism on lifestyle of adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs). Describes developmental legacy of alcoholism as legacy of…

Used retrospective accounts to compare adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs), adults who experienced stressful events in childhood not involving parental alcoholism (A-D+), and adults with no reported dysfunction in family of origin (A-D-) with regard to dysfunctional roles adopted as children. Dysfunctional role adoption was more frequent in ACOA…