Alcohol abuse prevention education encourages participants to make choices, to set safe drinking standards, and to detect questionable practices before they lead to problems. (MM)

Examined differences in self-concept between alcoholic and non-alcoholic adults on physical self, moral-ethical self, personal self, family self, social self, and self-criticism as measured by the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS). There were significant differences between means obtained by alcoholics and non-alcoholics on all sub-tests of the…

The authors assess and illustrate the problems of incorporating an evaluative component into social programs using a number of examples from the field of alcohol studies. They outline a series of steps that are necessary for a resolution of the problem. (Author)

Most treatment programs for alcoholics and their families fail to show a systematic understanding of the interaction between the alcoholic, his drinking problem, and the family as a whole. Based on a review of the literature, the author presents a systems approach and ways of utilizing it in practice. (Author)

Treatment agencies that ignore needs of children of alcoholics are inadvertently breeding a second generation of alcoholics. This paper reports on an effort to mount an education/prevention effort with children of alcoholics and their mothers. Each session is described in detail and recommendations for programming offered. (Author)

This analysis shows that black teenagers of all classes are more likely to drink at home with the family than are white teenagers. (Author/AM)

Reviews the application of epidemiology to alcoholism. Discusses measurement and diagnostic issues and reviews studies of the prevalence of alcoholism, its risk factors, and the contributions of epidemiology to our knowledge of treatment and prevention. (Author/KS)

Considers neuropsychological changes associated with alcohol abuse and touches on related neuropathological and neuroradiological research. Describes neuropsychological research on recently detoxified alcoholic men, long-term abstainers, and animals. Sources of neuropsychological variability including family history of alcoholism, developmental…

Commends cognitive studies for extending our understanding of alcohol use and abuse. The role of vicarious learning and efficacy and outcome expectations in the development, maintenance, and prevention of drinking, is stressed. Reinterpreted concepts of craving and loss of control as well as models of relapse and prevention treatment strategies,…

Examined religious affiliation and incidence of drinking problems among college students over time, using questionnaire administered to students at 72 colleges throughout the United States in 1982-83 (N=6,115) and again in 1984-85 (N=4,266). Findings suggest little change except for a decrease in driving-related behaviors among Catholics,…

Investigated cause of abusive drinking among the elderly and treatment practices and counseling strategies used by professionals who serve them. Structured interviews with six practitioners who were knowledgeable about alcohol abuse among the elderly revealed consensus that alcoholism is a physiological disorder with attendant psychological and…

Describes an interview, by a counselor educator, of a recovered alcoholic, in which the latter describes his upbringing and the progress of his life. The Publican elaborates on how his interests and skills developed, and on his ultimate career choice and development. Presents the Publican's self-interpretation, one and one-half years later, based…

Evaluated alcohol-dependent inpatients and nonalcoholic controls on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) twice: once under instructions to answer honestly, and once under dissimulation instructions. Showed 80 percent predictability of alcoholism under honest conditions, and significantly more benign profiles in the dissimulation…

Describes study of representative case findings (N=100) in four social work programs which did not have in-house substance abuse treatment for indications whether the social worker had recognized substance abuse as a problem for the client or had made a referral for treatment. Findings suggest many clients were substance abusers, but few were…

Discusses issues complicating the message of alcohol education, including the ambivalent nature of alcohol itself, personal uncertainty about the effects of alcohol, and moral issues. Suggests that the schools may be too involved in alcohol education and risk losing credibility with students. (JAC)