Substance abuse is a major problem encountered by social workers in all settings. This study investigated the impact of a postmaster's program in the treatment of substance-abusing clients on the domains of "Attitudes and Values," "Knowledge and Skills," and "Behaviors" of its graduates. Overall, 91 percent of…

Discusses the problems of relapse with alcoholics and other drug abusers from three perspectives: client-related variables, common erroneous beliefs and myths held by professionals regarding relapse, and treatment system problems that may contribute to relapse. Offers proposed solutions and describes a relapse prevention model. (Author/ABB)

Developed and tested multi-media nutrition unit for patients enrolled in an alcoholic treatment program. Content of the instruction was based on nutrition education needs which had been identified earlier. T-tests showed a significant increase in total test scores associated with instruction, suggesting that classes were effective for transmitting…

A survey of drug treatment suggested conflict exists about how drug treatment should be conducted. A case was made for paradigms of treatment as a guide for progress in treatment for addicts. A theoretical paradigm which tried to relate family therapy to the relief of self-esteem distress is discussed. (Author/ABL)

Examined the impact of coercion in rehabilitation of drug abusers. A validated interview schedule was utilized for both coerced and non-coerced participants. Data analysis found that coercion facilitates success for certain groups (e.g., older, longer term heroin addicts), and certain criteria (e.g., arrest and abstinence). (Author/JAC)

Describes a drug treatment program designed and implemented for women which takes into account gender differences. Claims by paying attention to the actual life worlds and needs of women, the program effectively modified the service delivery system to accommodate these women and facilitate their treatment. (ABL)

Describes the impact of the Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) program, designed to identify criminal offenders with drug problems and refer them for treatment. Despite an increase in size and changes in client characteristics, the influx of TASC-referred drug abusers did not decrease program effectiveness. (JAC)

In the countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean there has been a dramatic expansion in drug demand reduction (DDR) programmes over the past decade. Often drawing on models originating in the countries providing the funding in North America or Europe, these activities have often been inadequately monitored and rarely evaluated. The absence of…

Event-history analysis was applied to the life history data of 581 male narcotics addicts to specify the concurrent, postintervention, and durational effects of social interventions on relapse to narcotics use. Results indicate the advisability of supporting methadone maintenance with other prevention strategies. (SLD)

The influence of program-related constructs on perceived quality of treatment programs was assessed using a latent variable modeling approach and the responses of key personnel from 294 drug treatment facilities in Los Angeles County (California). A clear philosophy and emphasis and greater frequency of services significantly predicted greater…

Developed and evaluated a home-based contracting program to determine its effect on the compliance rates of 25 discharged alcohol patients to a disulfiram (antabuse) regimen. After three months those subjects who were involved in contracting and recording reached criterion more frequently than those in the minimal treatment group. (JAC)

A statewide treatment outcomes monitoring system included baseline interviews with 387 adolescents and 363 parents representing 37 programs. This study examined adolescent and parent predictors of treatment completion and 6-month outcomes. Only 21.4% of the adolescents reported abstinence for the 6 months following treatment; however, marijuana…

Conducted a social policy experiment in 76 drug treatment organizations in Peru from 1997 to 2000. Programs were assigned to one of three training conditions. Positive effects were found for increased staff empowerment to use training tools and principles, and larger effects were found on the implementation of therapeutic community methods with…

Study investigated whether or not participant needs were being met at a Family Night program for residential and outpatient clients. Responses indicated that increased satisfaction with the program was associated with increased participation, and with perceptions that the presented material related to their respective family problems. Implications…

Describes Alcoholics Anonymous as an effective self-help treatment modality for many alcoholics. Notes that organization would seem to initially necessitate "tolerated unhealthiness" psychologically to help consolidate sobriety, suggesting abstinence first, psychological healthiness second regimen. Suggests that psychotherapists learn to…