NCJ Number
140410
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 271-290
Date Published
1992
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Male young offenders are often heavy drinkers, and many report a relationship between their drinking and offending, as well as other alcohol-related problems.
Abstract
Evidence that behavioral self-help manuals are effective in reducing the drinking of nonoffender populations suggests that young offenders may benefit from this type of intervention. Preliminary research with male young offenders has been less positive, yet available information supports the rational development of behavioral self-help manuals to assist this group. Advantages of using self-help manuals as an intervention for problem drinking in offenders include availability, accessibility, maintenance, and cost. Disadvantages concern client selection, compliance, failure, and inflexibility. Research studies demonstrate the value of self-help manuals in various settings and that outcome analysis, relaxation training, and context analysis can also be incorporated in the manuals to enhance their effectiveness. A proposed self-help manual for young offenders incorporates three sections: decisionmaking, changes in drinking behavior, and the development of nondrinking lifestyles. 70 references