Thesis (D. Min.)--Harding Graduate School of Religion, 1983. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-58).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves102-116). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNR11574

The law enforcement literature has recently begun to focus attention on the problem of alcohol use among police officers. However, to date the problem has been viewed within the framework of the "disease" model of alcohol addiction and the focus has been on the treatment of individual officers whose job performance has been seriously affected by heavy drinking. Anecdotal evidence, on the other hand, indicates that the heavy and consistent use of alcohol is a widespread and accepted phenomenon among large sections of the police force. There is a substantial body of theory which relates socialization processes and job stress problems to the development of homogeneous attitudes and beliefs. These attitudes and beliefs may, in turn, serve to support the heavy use of alcohol by police officers. The objective of the proposed study was to assess the extent of alcohol use among local police and to determine the perceptions held by this target population concerning the reasons for the existence of the problem. Particular emphasis was placed on the concept of job stress. This study is seen as a first step toward a comprehensive understanding of alcohol abuse by police. Questionnaire results confirmed heavy and consistent use of alcohol. The prime reason cited was as a relaxant. Having to deal with the suffering of others and being the target of abuse from citizens were the most often given sources of stress, and drinking with a colleague was seen as a "safe" way to unwind and an important way of staying in touch with colleagues. Results were discussed in terms of current conceptions in the alcohol literature. The recommendation of the report was in support of federal funding for a needed alcohol management programme. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

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This thesis explores aspects of the experience of alcohol and drug problems which are unique to women, and specifically factors relating to the problematising of such experiences, and help-seeking. Drawing on feminist methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with 23 women, self-identified as problem alcohol and/or drug users, seventeen of whom were in residential treatment at the time of the study. Ten senior alcohol and drug agency staff were also interviewed. The five main topic areas addressed in the thesis are as follows: chaos; control; problem recognition; professional responses; and treatment - the benefits and costs for women. The context in which each aspect of alcohol and drug use is explored is one in which the dimension of gender takes centre stage. This thesis thus explores new dimensions of what may be seen as old problems. It engages with debates which have emerged from previous research on women, alcohol, and drugs, in part synthesising previous debates (for example, on the concept of control). The thesis also extends earlier analyses by exploring the dynamics of heterosexual relationships in which alcohol and drug use plays a major role (problem recognition), and develops additional depth in existing knowledge on previously under-researched areas (i.e. benefits and costs of treatment). The conclusion of the thesis explores differences which have emerged between women in the five topic areas under scrutiny. It is suggested that a feminist analysis of alcohol and drug use, which has tended in recent years to become marginalised in terms of influence on social policy, is vital to an understanding of both the antecedents and consequences of substance use for women.

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