Reasonable and moderate drinking is considered acceptable by the major portion of the population. Although women consume less alcohol than men, alcohol has a greater intoxicating effect for women than for men because of the differences in body water content and proportion of fatty tissue. The prevalence rate of drinking is virtually identical for…

Studies show that the percentage of women in the United States who drink, has remained stable over the last several decades. However, patterns in female drinking have changed, indicating a trend toward higher rates of heavy/frequent drinking among young women. Negative attitudes toward female intoxication still prevail and a double standard…

Alcoholism is a widespread but neglected problem in the lesbian community. The myths and realities of lesbian experience are described and suggested treatment strategies that address the special problems and needs of lesbian alcoholics are given. The literature is reviewed and the need to overcome homophobia among social workers and in agencies is…

Alcohol studies, like most psychological studies, have traditionally focused on males. Several psychosocial theories have been used to explain male alcoholism, including dependency, the power drive, and sex role theory. This latter stance may provide a theoretical framework for the etiology of drinking which will apply to both sexes; however,…

Findings indicate that wives attempt to treat husbands' alcoholism at home long before they seek professional help. Wives' strategies reflect their changing beliefs about alcoholism, about their marital relationships, and about their failure to cope. Home treatment strategies of amelioration under stress contribute to the stress as well.…

Examines selected areas of education, training, and needed awareness for caregivers working with the woman alcoholic. The training of alcoholism and drug caregivers is viewed from a multidimensional perspective. Attempts to describe important issues which must be recognized and integrated into existing training efforts. (Author)

In the Northern Plains of the United States, 100% of Indian reservations are affected by alcohol related problems. Approximately 90% of Native American adults are currently alcohol users or abusers or are recovering from alcohol abuse. Alcohol consumption has a devastating effect on the unborn. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is an irreversible birth…

Alcoholic women must receive treatment that considers psychological differences between men and women. The basic difference identified was the kinds of roles taken on by women compared to men's roles. Counselors must integrate women's individual experiences with experimental research to effectively help alcoholic women. (Author/JAC)

Reviews the sparse literature concerning the mental health of American Indian and Alaska Native women. Suggests research into various sources of stress experienced by Native women and related to drug and alcohol abuse. Discusses coping mechanisms and the particular stress factors affecting professional Native women. (SV)

Presents ten articles about substance abuse: its effects, consequences, and strategies for intervention. Describes specific group therapy techniques and presents both a court service designed for assisting juveniles with drug/alcohol offenses, and a school-based substance abuse prevention program. Looks at strategies for counseling special…

Studies indicate men and women do not experience alcoholism in the same way, and female alcoholics are largely overlooked in planning treatment and evaluating its outcome. Neglect is compounded by sexist therapy. A review of the literature documents these points and suggests improvements in the treatment of alcoholic women. (Author)

Contains three articles related to feminism and religion, counseling alcoholic women, and the mother-daughter relationship of women offenders. Discusses theoretical and philosophical aspects in reconciling feminism and religion. Describes counseling techniques in working with alcoholic women. Applies separation-individuation theory to the…

While over 30 percent of the nation's 10 million alcoholics and problem drinkers are women, the severity of female alcoholism is statistically understated. The female inebriate is hidden by society and underserved by current treatment programs. Alcoholism in females has continued to be considered synonymous with male alcoholism. The purpose of…

While alcoholism and problem drinking is not as prevalent among women as men it nonetheless is a serious health concern, deserving greater attention. Investigation results comparing the consumption and problem drinking patterns of women with men finds that lower consumption rates among females cannot be explained by body weight as men drink more…

Analysis of Al-Anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) organizational literature shows women's articulation of and responses to the problems of codependence from the 1950s to the 1980s. Progressive appropriation of feminist ideals, a critique of the family, and a disease-based model of family dysfunction characterize understanding of…