Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at
8:10 pm
Alcoholics Anonymous and Nursing; Lessons in Holism and Spiritual Care.
Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide, 2 million-member organization that has assisted countless alcoholics to achieve sobriety through a spiritual program of recovery from alcoholism.
Based on spiritual principles known as the “Twelve Steps†and “Twelve Traditions,†AA has provided a model for other recovery programs such as
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA),
- Gamblers Anonymous (GA), and
- Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA).
- Al-anon
- Adult Children of Alcoholics
Recovery in AA appears to involve a process of self-transcendence.
In recent years, nursing scholars have increasingly explored the concepts of self-transcendence and spirituality as they apply to nursing theory and practice.
This article explores the roots and spiritual dimensions of 12-step recovery programs. It further explores the ways in which theoretical and clinical knowledge about the delivery of spiritual care interventions may be gained from an understanding of AA’s spiritual approach to recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Nursing; Lessons in Holism and Spiritual Care. Eileen M. McGee, J Holist Nurs 2000; 18; 11.
Brief-TSF can assist patients cease alcohol consumption.
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at
6:14 pm
Inhalants
Inhalants are common products found right in the home and are among the most popular and deadly substances kids abuse. Inhalant abuse can result in death from the very first use.
Health Hazards
Health Effects and Risks. Nearly all abused inhalants produce effects similar to anesthetics, which act to slow down the body’s functions. When inhaled in sufficient concentrations, inhalants can cause intoxicating effects that can last only a few minutes or several hours if inhalants are taken repeatedly. Initially, users may feel slightly stimulated; with successive inhalations, they may feel less inhibited and less in control; finally, a user can lose consciousness.
More Information
Signs of Inhalant Abuse
Parents and healthcare workers can be aware of the following signs of an inhalant abuse problem:
- Chemical odors on breath or clothing;
- Paint or other stains on face, hands, or clothes;
- Hidden empty spray paint or solvent containers and chemical-soaked rags or clothing;
- Drunk or disoriented appearance;
- Slurred speech;
- Nausea or loss of appetite;
- Inattentiveness, lack of coordination, irritability, and depression;
- Missing household items.
More at Inhalants
See also;
Saturday, March 7th, 2009 at
12:15 am
World view change in Adult Children of Alcoholics/Al-Anon self-help groups: Reconstructing the alcoholic family.
Examined the processes through which 20 committed members (aged 29-52 yrs) of self-help groups for adult children of alcoholics experience alterations in their perceptions of family of origin.
Results suggest that world view transformation in the family of origin domain involves;
- learning to define the family as pathological,
- assigning responsibility for this pathology to a disease,
- forgiving oneself,
- accepting that one was adversely affected by the family’s problem, and
- ultimately learning to accept one’s parents’ shortcomings.
Humphreys, Keith. World view change in Adult Children of Alcoholics/Al-Anon self-help groups: Reconstructing the alcoholic family. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. Vol 46(2), Apr 1996, 255-263.
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
Drug Information for Teens: Health Tips About the Physical And Mental Effects of Substance Abuse : Including Information about Marijuana, Inhalants, Club Drugs, Stimulants, Hallu (Teen Health Series)
AA & 12-Step Treatment
