The power-to-the-people, as evidenced by the increase in self-help groups, is a force that the social work profession must reckon with. This article discusses the nature of the challenge and its implications for professional practice. (Author)

Addresses common critiques of Alcoholics Anonymous by offering a way of understanding it as a "normative narrative community" where identity transformation takes place through the use of metaphor and storytelling. Suggests alternative meanings of key metaphors, describes areas of program strength and potential barriers for social…

Discusses a model for social work intervention with a self-help group in a hospital setting, designed to reach out and support new parents of premature infants in a neonatal intensive care nursery. Social workers serve as family advocates, instructors, consultants, and facilitators for volunteer veteran parents groups. (ABB)

Determined the extent to which social workers participate in self-help groups and examined their role in planning, developing, and supporting the groups continued existence. Results indicated that social workers perform important functions in supporting the growth and continued existence of self-help groups. (RC)

Treatment programs promote individual solutions to substance abuse through changing dysfunctional behavior and relying on spiritual beliefs and practices. Root problems are understood to be diseases within the person. However, the social conditions implicated in causing the addiction remain unaddressed. Questions whether social workers can bring…

Describes environmental modification, social work's response to the practical needs of clients, which emphasizes "doing for" clients and thus may encourage their dependence on the practitioner. Suggests that helping clients to develop their own skills to modify their environment can promote independence while meeting clients' tangible needs.…