NCJ Number
188436
Date Published
2000
Length
181 pages
Annotation
This manual discusses substance-abuse treatment issues for both adult survivors of child abuse or neglect and adults in treatment who may be abusing or neglecting their own children.
Abstract
The first three chapters focus on adult survivors of child abuse and neglect. The first of these chapters defines child abuse and neglect, documents rates of child abuse and neglect both in the general population and among those in substance abuse treatment, and reviews the literature on links between childhood abuse and subsequent substance abuse. The second of the three chapters describes screening and assessment tools that can be used to determine whether a client has a history of childhood abuse or neglect; and the third chapter presents guidelines on treating clients with histories of child abuse or neglect and referring them to mental health care treatment when necessary. The fourth chapter discusses the personal issues counselors may encounter (e.g., countertransference) when working with clients with histories of abuse or neglect, and it offers suggestions for addressing them. In the next two chapters, the focus shifts to adults in treatment who may be abusing or neglecting their own children. One of the chapters instructs alcohol and drug counselors in how to identify whether their clients are at risk of or are currently abusing or neglecting their children. It discusses what alcohol and drug counselors can do to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect, including how to work with child protective service agencies. The second of these two chapters provides an overview of the legal issues that counselors must consider as mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect. The manual concludes with an overview of continuing and emerging trends in the field, such as fast-track adoption and welfare reform. Appendixes provide information on the protection of clients' privacy, implications of recent Federal legislation for clients in treatment, obtaining screening and assessment tools, and resources related to childhood trauma among adults. 11 figures and a 73-item bibliography