Notes that, to deal with problems of substance-exposed infants, California must develop and adopt concerted interagency policy outlining uniform criteria for local health care workers, social service agencies, and educators; consistent guidelines governing interagency exchange of information; and increased prevention and early intervention…

Considers prevalence and problems of infants exposed to drugs in utero, citing drug abuse as primary cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Notes current data indicating that occurrence of substance-exposed infants has been increasing over past few years, with corresponding rise in number of such children entering schools. Provides overview of…

Calls divided undervalued treatment approaches of alcoholism/substance abuse a major anomaly in the American health care system. Presents American Psychological Association policy statement on alcoholism and other drug abuse adopted in February 1992. Includes discussion of overall policy and policies pertaining to prevention; assessment,…

Contends that isolated training programs, role confusion, and adherence to differing philosophies of the etiology and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems contribute to different philosophies of treatment and disparate priorities. Notes that any attempt to reform health care system must include attending to quality of training and…

Surveyed presidents of 35 major universities and deans of 1,100 colleges of education concerning educational offerings on alcohol and drug use and abuse. Results suggest despite major infusions of governmental funds many colleges and universities do not provide substance use and abuse education for their students and particularly prospective…

Traces evolution of codependency construct. Examines codependency from perspective of researchers who have found little empirical support for constellation of characteristics used to define term and from perspective of feminist analysis. Analyzes assumptions about health and relationships embedded in concept of codependency and contends that…

Examines history of substance abuse treatment for women; identifies barriers to treatment access; and explores socioeconomic, clinical, and systemic issues in the treatment of alcohol- and drug-dependent women. Gives special attention to the effects of substance abuse on women's relationships as daughters, partners, and parents and to its role in…

Examined physical health of 72 users of homeless shelters, comparing shelter users with mental illness or substance abuse problems with those without these problems. Found that alcohol abusers were significantly more likely to have low blood pressure, symptoms of liver disease, and tuberculosis treatment history. Found no health differences for…

Offers three clinical guidelines designed to deliver quality chemical dependency care that is cost effective: use least restrictive level of care most likely to initiate abstinence; assess likelihood of treatment failure at level of care chosen and risks to client if treatment fails; and identify treatment failure quickly and move client to more…

Substance-abuse problems among older adults, involving alcohol, medications, and illegal drugs may arise from such stress factors as unstructured time, relationships with friends, loss, side effects of medications, and irrational beliefs. (SK)

Describes the prevalence of sexual abuse among adolescents (N=938) admitted to residential therapeutic communities for treatment of substance abuse and related disorders. Results indicate that approximately one-third of the sample reported histories of sexual abuse. Prevalence rates were significantly higher for girls than for boys. History of…

Analyzes which risk factors in the family, school, and peer domains have an effect on the use of different types of drugs and on frequencies of drug use. Results of a study with adolescents (N=467) show that parental monitoring, time spent with friends, and peer deviance were the most important risk factors. (Author/MKA)

Reviews the literature on the treatment of Native Americans who abuse alcohol or have dependence disorders and provides an interpretation of the research on this topic. The most common treatment modalities are described and critiqued. Recommendations are made regarding revising standard treatments to make them more culturally appropriate for this…

This study reveals that alcohol misuse among Korean American adolescents is influenced by the social variables found to affect use among other ethnic groups. This study supports the contention that there are similarities in the social milieu of alcohol use among adolescents in the United States. However, psychological forces provide additional…

The relationship between parental alcohol dependence (with and without comorbid psychopathology) and adolescent psychopathology was examined in a sample of 665 13-17 year-old adolescents and their parents. Results indicated that adolescents who had parents diagnosed with alcohol dependence only did not significantly differ from adolescents who had…