This article addresses drug users' identity construction, and invites counsellors, psychotherapists, researchers and others who work with drug misusers to notice how cultural and societal discourses can shape drug misusers' stories, and the positions from which helpers listen and respond to them. By representing and analysing parts of two life…

Suggests that pathological denial in alcoholics may be a reaction to stress from past traumatic events, the sequelae of alcoholism, or even the treatment process itself. A case is presented that illustrates this conceptualization, and relevant treatment nuances are discussed. (Author/JAC)

Examined pre- and posttreatment scores on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) for 107 veterans in an alcoholic treatment program. Significant differences between pre- and posttreatment scores suggested that the STAI (Form Y) is appropriate for assessing changes in anxiety with alcoholic patients. (JAC)

Examined contingent methadone take-home privileges for effectiveness in reducing supplemental drug use of methadone maintenance patients. Assigned 53 new intakes to begin receiving take-home privileges after 2 consecutive weeks of drug-free urines or to noncontingent procedure in which take-homes were delivered independently of urine results.…

Describes investigation examining relationship between adolescent drug abuser's motivation to seek treatment and treatment outcome in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Found moderate relationship between motivation and problem reduction. Found that motivation to seek assistance with other life problems correlated positively with problem…

Study determined the change in prevalence of Methylphenidate misuse over the last four years in adolescents (N=240) assessed at an outpatient abuse treatment facility. Results showed a significant increase in Methylphenidate misuse over the last 2.5 years; this increase was greatest in White adolescents. Suggests that treatment with…

This study reports the results of a five-year follow-up survey of private-pay outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH) programs operating in the United States and Canada. A total of 65 of 102 programs identified as meeting certain characteristics responded to the survey and identified themselves as an OBH program that utilizes a clinical treatment…

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…

Context: Little is known about substance use and treatment utilization in rural communities of the United States/Mexico border. Purpose: To compare substance use and need and desire for treatment in rural colonias and urban areas of the border. Methods: Interviews were conducted in 2002-2003 with a random sample of adults living in the lower Rio…

While self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are becoming more integrated into the professional substance abuse treatment network, many professionals are still hesitant to encourage clients to attend self-help groups after treatment. This study examined what factors predict the degree of cooperation between professional agencies and…

This paper presents a brief research synopsis of social speech, noting that the internalization of social speech plays an important role in the self-regulation of the personality. It then examines the phenomenon of relapse in alcohol addiction from the perspective of psycholinguistic research on inner speech, and suggests that maladaptive patterns…

Discusses what makes an aftercare group for adolescent substance abusers function productively and describes the format that seems to work best for young adolescents in an aftercare group. Emphasizes importance of group facilitator skills in areas of leadership, safety, and structure in helping adolescents gain re-identification as abstaining…

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)

Provides a scheme for conceptualizing the various approaches to prevention in relation to the Public Health Services prevention model, the Host/Agent/Environment Triad. Discusses areas of research necessary before prevention approaches can be prioritized. Speculates about the future of prevention and recommends the most promising approaches.…

Self-concepts of men and women in treatment in a therapeutic community were tested using the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS). Particularly striking are the negative self-concepts of females preparing to leave treatment in the areas of acceptance by family, self, and peers. (Author/BL)