NCJ Number
190809
Journal
Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 21-32
Date Published
2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article explores the use of an Afrocentric approach to substance abuse treatment with adolescent African-American males as a possible alternative to current traditional methods of providing services.
Abstract
Okonji and Ososkie (1996) reported that Reality Therapy was the counseling approach that was often preferred by African-Americans. Their finding was supported by Henry (1989) and Ott, Washington and Morris (1990), who observed that this treatment approach had been highly effective in helping the adolescent African-American male understand the immediate consequences of his drug-related actions, not only for himself but also for others in his environment. Reality Therapy posits that the individual can cease engaging in negative behavior only by accepting responsibility for his/her actions. Once this occurs, the person will feel successful and happy. The theory is based on two premises: that the individual denies the real world around him and is therefore unable to fulfill his basic human need of loving and being loved and feeling worthwhile; and when an individual has not been able to fulfill these needs in a healthy manner, he chooses a less beneficial way of doing so. Through Reality Therapy, individuals learn more appropriate ways of having their needs met and become motivated to change by looking honestly at their behavior and how it contributes to the fulfillment of their needs. The following practice principles should be used when applying Reality Therapy with the African-American adolescent male: engagement through positive regard, focusing on current behavior, judging one's behavior, planning alternative behaviors, commitment to work, excuses are unacceptable, avoiding punishment, and persistence by therapists. An Afrocentric approach to substance abuse treatment would incorporate the following elements into a Reality Therapy treatment protocol: a mentoring program, the African-American church, rites of passage programs, black history curriculum, volunteer/service learning activities, and guest speakers. 35 references