Objective: The study tested whether adding up to 18 months of telephone continuing care, either as monitoring and feedback (TM) or longer contacts that included counseling (TMC), to intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) improved outcomes for alcohol-dependent patients. Method: Participants (N = 252) who completed 3 weeks of IOP were randomized to…

Discusses the relationship between the surrender reaction and the grief process resulting from alcohol-related losses. Presents factors that inhibit people addicted to alcohol from resolving their grief issues, and discusses the mourning tasks that must be completed to maintain sobriety and the state of surrender. (LLL)

Reviews literature on both alcoholism and controlled drinking approaches based on a multimodal viewpoint. Provides a combined perspective of humanistic and behavioral principles. Presents the issue of alcohol involvement from a stage phenomena point of view and suggests intervention steps to address life-problem, emotional, and behavioral aspects…

Surveyed alcoholism counselors (N=284) to determine whether the disease concept of alcoholism precludes acceptance and use of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in alcoholism treatment. Results suggest that SFBT may be feasible for alcoholism treatment and that endorsement of the disease concept is compatible with the principles of SFBT. (EMK)

The costs associated with alcohol abuse are staggering. Because of the pervasiveness of alcohol abuse, virtually every psychological practitioner will encounter it. This paper reviews literature about a number of common treatments for abusive drinkers. Specific treatment procedures are evaluated from both research and clinical perspectives.…

Notes extent and nature of problem drinking among older adults and role of mental health counselors. Asserts that nature of alcohol abuse by older persons and variety of problematic drinking behaviors suggest that range of counseling goals may be appropriate. Stresses that a broader range of treatment strategies is needed than has characterized…

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,…

While some children may experience negative consequences as the result of growing up with an alcoholic parent, the majority will never develop any difficulties. This article examines how adolescent children of alcoholics can be supported by using positive, strengths-based approaches which focus on existing skills and abilities, rather than…

This study examined and sought to clarify several major issues related to Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) and the notion that they are at increased risk for developing problems with alcohol. The study involved a questionnaire survey of randomly selected university counseling centers in regard to a variety of ACA issues. A total of 102…

Describes contributions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to drug and alcohol treatment. Discusses potential for AA's steps to encourage growth, and examines their consistency with counseling philosophy. Proposes and contrasts 12 new steps based on counseling theory to stimulate constructive discussion. Advocates more solid boundaries between AA and…

Combining childhood roles and interpersonal theory produces a schematic model that includes all adult children of alcoholics, enhances understanding of the group dynamic, and suggests specific group treatment strategies. (Author)

This transcript of a conference presentation describes a motivational model of alcohol use that shows the interrelationship between the various factors that affect drinking. First, a flow diagram is presented and described that shows how complex biological, psychological, and environmental variables contribute to a person's motivation for…

This paper discusses several models for treating chemical dependency in individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It begins by describing the 12-step model, a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of addiction which is abstinence oriented and based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. This model includes group…

Rational Recovery (RR) and the Addictive Voice Recognition Technique (AVRT) are described. Rational recovery is a young organization which views alcohol and drug dependency differently from the traditional field which sees addiction as a symptom of something, of a disease, of spiritual bankruptcy, of irrational thinking, of unhappiness, of…

We received 38 controlled studies of marital and family therapy (MFT) in alcoholism treatment. We conclude that, when the alcoholic is unwilling to seek help, MFT is effective in helping the family cope better and motivating alcoholics to enter treatment. Specifically, (a) Al-Anon facilitation and referral help family members cope better; (b)…