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…

Presents second part of two-part series reviewing the published literature of smokeless tobacco in the United States. Explores smokeless tobacco as a pharmacologically addicting substance, discusses educational interventions designed to prevent use or help users quit, and outlines areas of future research. (Author)

Examined psychological correlates of sexual abuse in adolescent girls (N=597) at substance abuse inpatient facilities. Found high prevalence of sexual abuse victimization with over one-third acknowledging history of sexual abuse. Suggests sexual abuse victims show slightly different and often more serious psychopathology with suicidal ideation,…

Discusses how music, occupational, and recreation therapies can contribute to comprehensive treatment programs for chemical dependency. Sees prime contribution of activity therapy as lying in nature of experiential education, applying insight gained in counseling sessions and discussion groups to practical real-life situations. (Author/NB)

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…

Harm reduction, a new model in the field of drug education, recognizes that people have always and always will use drugs. The new strategy attempts to minimize the potential hazards associated with drug use rather than the use itself. The rationale is presented as well as an example of needs assessment. (Author/JPS)

Surveyed 141 substance abusers who had 11 or more months of continuous abstinence and who first sought treatment in adolescence. Getting high for the first time at a younger age and polydrug use were significantly correlated with more relapses and less overall sobriety. There were five times more adoptees represented in the sample than would be…

Illustrates the relationship between art therapy, spirituality, and recovery supported by the philosophy of Alcoholic Anonymous, and offers a model in which art therapy can be used in treatment programs to facilitate spiritual recovery from addiction. Discusses personal experiences related to the use of art therapy for assisting in addiction…

Evaluated 6-week jail substance abuse treatment program. Compared to no-treatment controls (n=422), program participants (n=535) remained significantly longer in community until rearrest, experienced fewer arrests, and served less jail time during the first year following their release. Participants made significant improvements in coping…

Describes nature and usefulness of process evaluation techniques, stressing their importance in understanding why and how drug treatment programs succeed and fail. Specific aspects of process evaluation discussed include topics for conducting such analyses, diverse data sources which should be accessed in thorough process evaluation, and decision…

Reviews the literature and describes the nature and feasibility of brief interventions in the treatment of alcohol use disorders. Attention is given to the promising results of outcome studies, and recommendations are provided for the implementation of brief interventions with a heterogeneous clientele. (Contains 39 references.) (GCP)

Discussess the use of psychodrama as a therapeutic technique involving reenactments of situations that have emotional significance to participants. Through drama participants obtain a deeper understanding of who they are, where they have been, their internal drives, and their behavior patterns. Discusses a spontaneous dramatic script that was…

Case studies illustrate how a restorative approach to substance abuse can bring about the recognition of profound community injustices and how confronting injustices can help tackle substance abuse. Outlines the research and development needed to test the hypothesis that criminalization of the harm caused by substance abuse (e.g., burglary) may be…

Wraps up a theme issue that explores the common ground between the restorative justice and community justice movements and examines their effect on substance-abusing youth and the communities in which they reside. Suggests that restorative justice programs may help adolescent treatment providers in their adoption of practices to promote change and…

This monograph is based on the papers from a technical review. These papers are included: (1) Psychotherapy and Counseling Research in Drug Abuse Treatment: Questions, Problems, and Solutions (Lisa Onken, Jack Blaine); (2) Psychotherapy and Counseling for Methadone-Maintained Opiate Addicts: Results of Research Studies (George Woody, A. T.…