The extent to which the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) measures aspects of personality and cognitive impairment was explored in 81 male alcoholics receiving treatment for alcoholism. Results suggest GEFT may be more a measure of cognitive impairment than personality. Alternative explanations are explored. (Author/RL)

Reports on responses from 61 accredited baccalaureate programs of social work surveyed concerning inclusion of courses and instructional materials on alcoholism/chemical dependency in curricula, use made of 12-step programs and recovering people, and whether spirituality aspects were addressed. Concludes that content on alcoholism and chemical…

Substance abusing adolescents (n=30) with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and substance abusing non-ADHD (n=30) adolescents were compared in terms of treatment outcomes. Although treatment outcomes did not vary significantly, a difference was observed in actual length of stay. Those with a behavior diagnosis stayed an average of 36…

Assessed 30 adolescent clients' perceptions of the limits of confidentiality, as well as their privacy demands during counseling. Participants' viewed vignettes of confidentiality issues and recorded their preferences and expectations of counselor actions. Results suggest that adolescents generally want higher levels of confidentiality than they…

This article addresses the rationale for linking addiction treatment programs and parenting education interventions in substance-abusing families. Specific components of a parenting program for women in recovery are detailed, including parenting classes and support groups, mother-child play groups, and family literacy activities. Program…

Describes the Diversion and Drug Treatment program, known as "Drug Court," in Miami (Florida) in which nonviolent drug offenders have prosecution of their cases deferred while they participate in a court-ordered drug-rehabilitation program. Those who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed. Whereas typical recidivism…

Describes the boot-camp prison program, its goals, and its drug-treatment and drug-education activities, and its development and change. The article presents the results of a multisite study from eight states that examined the variations in the shock-incarceration concept and its effect. (GLR)

Describes Project Choices, a residential treatment program for drug-abusing adjudicated adolescents that employs the adventure-based counseling model to instill change. Describes Project Choices goals as being the reduction of conduct-disordered behavior associated with delinquency and drug use. Presents program evaluation results which suggest…

The severity and diversity of problems for which drug-using clients (N=182) seek treatment is investigated during assessment and follow-up using cluster analysis. Five clusters in eight life-functioning domains were identified at each point. The constellations and severity of problems reported indicate changes over time in service needs. (EMK)

Describes a culturally congruent intervention in which Afrocentric concepts are applied in single-session counseling for African American drug users. Called the Engagement Project, the intervention attempts to engage clients in a psychosocial process conducive to recovery. The client, counselor, and a former drug user (peer) see a video and…

Describes a game that illuminates the dangers of chronic drug use. Provides facts, quotes, and episodic consequences that can adversely affect each player's mental and physical health, social support, and financial/legal situation. Discusses the game's conceptual underpinnings, development, and empirical findings. Lists potential applications in…

Discusses the identification of critical elements that will induce and maintain behavior change in drug education. Demonstrates how the Theory of Reasoned Action can be used to identify these elements. Data were gathered from a sample of heroin injectors and the cognitive structures underlying drug use were investigated. Discusses findings with…

Discusses Vietnam-era folk musician John Prine's song "Sam Stone" as an example of heroin-related musical lyricism. Notes the potential use of this and other songs as a teaching method in drug education programs. Notes that many researchers believe heroin addiction is a disease of biological irregularity encoded in the genes fueled by abuse of the…

Discusses what to do when substance-abuse-prevention efforts for adolescents fail, examining differences between normal experimentation and substance abuse, how to spot a problem, where to turn for help, how to get adolescents into treatment, treatment options, and aftercare for continuing support. One sidebar explains that no drugs are harmless;…

Describes the development, implementation, and replication of a group-based parenting program for families affected by substance abuse, called the Nurturing Program for Families in Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery in Massachusetts. Highlights early evaluation results showing that the program improves parenting and enhances parents'…