Two workshops were desired to influence community gatekeepers' knowledge, attitudes and referral practices toward women alcohol abusers. Workshops were successful in increasing participants' knowledge, however, little change in attitudes or behavior was found. Limited success of the workshop may be due to its appeal primarily to gatekeepers…

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…

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 disease that has been shown to affect not only the alcoholic but also the family of the alcoholic. The research on Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) reveals that the effects of parental alcoholism are not something that is eradicated once the child leaves home. This study examined the empirical evidence for characteristics of…

This study examined the relationships between alcohol abuse and spousal violence for 96 women in alcoholism treatment as compared to these comparison groups: 78 women receiving mental health treatment; 98 women receiving services for family violence; 91 women from a random sample of households; and 100 women in a driver education program following…

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…

This study explored the influence of age, verbal intelligence, and education on cognitive ability as measured by the Shipley-Hartford CQ in a large population of male and female state hospital alcoholics. (Author)

Assesses levels of depression presented by 76 male and 29 female alcoholics using Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression. To estimate overall depression from the self-report and clinical instruments, Z scores for both measures were summed. Correlations were calculated between composite scores and alcoholics'…

Examined maternal ratings of family functioning and children's depression, anxiety, and problem behaviors among 53 families. Women (n=26) with alcohol-dependent partners reported significantly more marital and family disruption and higher levels of child problem behaviors. Both fathers' alcohol dependence and family risk factor index accounted for…

Describes the results of administering the World Health Organization's Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) to 400 incarcerated drug-using women. Reports on AUDIT's utility, validity, and reliability. Results demonstrate that AUDIT can be used to identify problem drinkers among incarcerated, drug-using women. (MKA)

Explores the rural alcoholic woman's feelings of self-esteem and her relationship with her family, finding attitudes and behaviors similar to those found in prior research conducted on urban alcoholic women--low self-esteem and low satisfaction in interpersonal relationships. Discusses implications for treatment. (Author/AH)

Alcoholism in females requires a different explanation from alcoholism in males. A set of dimensions for analyzing the problem was specified. A two-track model emerged: depression-dependence, and low femininity. These are seen as developmental, with life events contributing to a value-added propensity to problem drinking, ultimately triggered by a…

Assessed potential differences between female undergraduate children of alcoholics (n=27) and children of nonalcoholics (n=76) in depression and choice of coping strategies. Although significant group differences were detected for level of depression, mean depression scores for both groups fell within the "no depression" range on the…

Among 120 Cherokees and Cheyennes tested with Levenson's multidimensional locus of control scale, Cheyenne male alcoholics scored significantly lower on the internal scale than Cheyenne male nonalcoholics, and Cherokee female alcoholics scored significantly higher on the external scale than Cherokee female nonalcoholics. Contains 16 references.…

Special issues faced by chemically dependent women are reviewed. Self-in-Relation Theory, a model of psychological development for women, is discussed; the approach of Women for Sobriety is presented. When these two approaches are related, an alternative way of understanding and supporting chemically dependent women in recovery is provided. (EMK)