NCJ Number
202067
Editor(s)
Thomas F. McGovern Ed.D.,
William L. White M.A.
Date Published
2002
Length
258 pages
Annotation
In providing an overview of trends in the treatment of alcohol problems in the United States, this book presents papers that address broader treatment perspectives, the perspectives of those involved in treatment in the field, and personal reflections of authors on treatment issues over the past 20 years.
Abstract
The five papers on broader treatment perspectives focus on some of the major themes that have informed the alcohol abuse treatment field over the past 20 years and beyond. Papers include an examination of the relationship between Alcoholics Anonymous' focus on the spiritual dimensions of recovery and the disease concept of alcoholism; a historical analysis of the major influences in treatment initiatives over the years; the role of spirituality in treatment; the potential of prisons to become alcoholism treatment centers; and a model of treatment that addresses alcoholism and other forms of addiction as chronic illness. Seven papers constitute a "View from the Field" in the second section of the book. One paper presents a sociological analysis of the articles published in "Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly" since its inception. Another paper details the extent of alcohol problems among youthful drinkers, and a third paper calls for a deeper appreciation of women's issues in treatment. One paper advocates changing paradigms and clinical practices in addressing alcohol problems among Native Americans, while another paper offers a national perspective on community responses to alcohol and other drug problems in African-American communities. Other papers in this section consider the participation of African-Americans in Alcoholics Anonymous and the response to alcohol problems in Latino communities. The third section of the book contains five papers that describe treatment for alcohol problems from the perspectives of authors who have been intimately involved in the field for many years. The papers include discussions of the treatment of co-occurring alcohol-drug dependence and mental illness, the rise and fall of alcoholism and drug-dependence treatment at the Mayo Clinic and Timberlawn Hospital from 1975 through 2000, broadening the base of treatment for alcohol problems, and a future perspective on treating alcohol problems.