Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 at
12:18 am
Psychological Characteristics of Children of Alcoholics
By KENNETH J. SHER, PH.D.
More than 20 years ago, researchers first noted that children of alcoholics (COA’s) appeared to be affected by a variety of problems over the course of their life span.
Such problems include;
fetal alcohol syndrome, which is first manifested in infancy;
emotional problems and hyperactivity in childhood;
emotional problems and conduct problems in adolescence; and
the development of alcoholism in adulthood.
Although much has been learned over the ensuing two decades, a number of controversial research areas remain. In particular, debate stems from the fact that despite a common interest in COA’s, clinically focused literature and research-focused literature have resulted in two distinct bodies of knowledge. This article reviews important research results, with emphasis on findings generated by the alcohol-research community. Attention also is given to examining the empirical validity of concepts that have been advanced by several influential clinicians from the COA field.
ALCOHOL HEALTH & RESEARCH WORLD, VOL. 21, NO. 3, 1997
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 at
12:16 am
Brief-TSF Description
Brief Twelve Step Facilitation (Brief-TSF) is a new synthesis of experience and research covering the last 65 years. Varied forms of TSF have been devised and utilised by a variety of helpers since Twelve Step Fellowships originated by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). These range from simple advice to ‘Go to AA’ through various forms of counseling, mandated attendance and coercion to long-term residential treatment.
Brief-TSF, unlike full TSF, is for use by generalist healthcare workers as an adjunctive intervention to their normal practice. It is brief in that Brief-TSF only requires one dedicated session.
Brief-TSF can be used as;
- a discrete structured assertive intervention,
- in an opportunistic supportive mode or,
- simply as a knowledge base for healthcare workers who wish to respect a clients/patients choice of recovery through a twelve step fellowship.
Brief-TSF is intended to be utilised in ‘mainstream’ healthcare as an earlier intervention to prevent harms such as family breakdown, legal sanctions, medical complications, anti-social behaviour, employment interruption & etc.
Brief-TSF consists of a brief and structured approach to facilitating early recovery from alcoholism. It is intended to be implemented on an individual basis and is based in behavioural, spiritual, and cognitive principles that form the core of 12 step fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It is suitable for those who are alcohol dependent.
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 at
12:16 am
Bulimia Nervosa and Substance Use Disorder Similarities and Differences
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare bulimia nervosa (BN) and substance use disorders (SUD) in cognitive-motivational terms.
The cognitive orientation theory was used as a framework for testing the hypothesis that the commonality between BN and SUD consists of a similar motivational disposition for eating disorders, rather than for addiction, as was previously claimed.
It was expected that BN and SUD patients would differ from controls but not from each other.
The participants were 31 BN, 20 SUD, and 20 healthy controls. They were administered questionnaires for assessing anxiety, depression, addiction and the cognitive orientation for eating disorders.
On most parameters BN and SUD scored higher than controls but did not differ from each other except in norm beliefs.
Treatment of BN should consider the similarity of BN to SUD in the pathological tendency for eating disorders.
Research; Bulimia Nervosa and Substance Use Disorder Similarities and Differences; A. Ram; D. Stein; S. Sofer; S. Kreitler. Eating Disorders, Volume 16, Issue 3 May 2008 , pages 224 – 240
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Recoveries: True Stories by People Who Conquered Addictions and Compulsions :
Alcoholism, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Cigarette Smoking, Cocaine, Nar
by Lindsey Hall
Amazon books; Read more about this title… |
Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at
12:16 am
Protective resources and long-term recovery from alcohol use disorders.
AIMS: This study examined indices of personal and social resources drawn from social learning, behavioral economics, and social control theories as predictors of medium- and long-term alcohol use disorder outcomes.
DESIGN AND MEASURES: Individuals (N = 461) who initiated help-seeking for alcohol-related problems were surveyed at baseline and 1, 3, 8, and 16 years later.
At baseline and each follow-up, participants provided information about their personal and social resources and alcohol-related and psychosocial functioning.
FINDINGS: In general, protective resources associated with;
- social learning (self-efficacy and approach coping),
- behavioral economics (health and financial resources and resources associated with Alcoholics Anonymous), and
- social control theory (bonding with family members, friends, and coworkers)
predicted better alcohol-related and psychosocial outcomes.
A summary index of protective resources associated with all three theories significantly predicted remission.
Protective resources strengthened the positive influence of treatment on short-term remission and partially mediated the association between treatment and remission.
CONCLUSIONS: Application of social learning, behavior economic, and social control theories may help to identify predictors of remission and thus to allocate treatment more efficiently.
Research; Moos RH, Moos BS. Protective resources and long-term recovery from alcohol use disorders. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2007 Jan 5;86(1):46-54.
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Motivational Interviewing, Second Edition: Preparing People for Change
by William R. Miller, Stephen Rollnick
Read more about this title… |
Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at
12:15 am
Self-reported mental illness in a dental school clinic population
The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of mental illness in a university-based dental clinic population. Dentists routinely review the patient’s medical history to identify any physical disease or condition that may impact dental treatment.
Mental illness may also affect dental treatment and patient management.
This study examined the degree to which patients seeking routine dental care report these diagnoses.
Data was gathered from records of 508 consecutive new patients whose treatment plans were submitted for faculty approval.
The patient’s self-reported mental illness was obtained from the patient questionnaire and physical evaluation forms of the dental record.
- One hundred thirty-six patients (27%) reported at least one mental illness.
- Of all diseases and disorders recorded in the medical history, self-reported depression was second only to hypertension in frequency.
- Substance abuse (alcoholism, addiction, medication), anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were also common findings.
This study establishes the need for training of dental students to recognize and manage psychologically compromised patients. The dental curriculum must address these issues.
J Dent Educ. 2003 May;67(5):500-4. Self-reported mental illness in a dental school clinic population. Woods CD.
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