M.A. (Social Work) / PROBLEM STATEMENT Although there is no lack of literature and research findings regarding alcoholism, very little research has been done about social workers rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics. This study focused on certain aspects about social workers dealing with alcoholics in order to provide a clearer picture about :- • their motivation for rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics despite the apparent poor prognosis and high relapse statistics of alcoholics; • their level of general contentment and social functioning; and • their personality traits/characteristics. Only social workers in possession of an appropriate qualification, and who have been working with alcoholics for at least two (2) years, took part in the study. The results of this study can be used for future screening and training of social workers rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics. Comparative or exploratory studies on concepts such as the job satisfaction and effectiveness of these social workers, can also be undertaken. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to investigate the level of general contentment, social functioning and personality traits of social workers rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics, by using the following measurement scales :- * the Hudson scale for the measurement of general contentment; * the Heimler scale for the measurement of social functioning; * the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire for the assessment of personality traits. With this goal in mind the following objectives were set for the study :- * the exploring of concepts from the literature; * the administration of the selected measurement scales to the sampling group; * the analyzing of data with the intent to gain insight and knowledge about these social workers. RESEARCH DESIGN Exploratory research by means of quantitative methods of data wereundertaken in this study. Structured measurement scales were used to measure the level of general contentment, social functioning an personality traits of social workers rendering therapeutic services to alcoholics. An availability sampling or sometimes called accidental sampling method was used where twenty five (25) social workers, who were willing to participate in the study, were included.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Alcohol is the substance that people throughout the world abuse most often. South Africa has one of the highest alcohol use level with more than 30% of the population struggling with alcohol-related problems (Telesure, 2010; Nevid et al., 2008: 297; Pisa et al., 2010:4). Statistics showed that approximately 17,5 million South Africans are affected by alcohol, but many more South Africans’ lives are completely disrupted through constant, direct daily contact with the individual abusing alcohol like a parent or life partner (Telesure, 2010). Due to this, alcohol dependency is classified as a family illness in the medical circles and by society. Alcohol dependency can tear families apart and disrupt family dynamics and –processes including rules, rituals, routines, communication, social life, finances, homeostasis and family roles (Stepping Stones, 2013). Alcohol dependency has a great impact on the functioning and existence of a family and to restore the damage alcohol dependency creates in a family, the family should play an important role in the rehabilitation process of the alcohol dependent. This study, therefore, had the goal to determine the role of a social worker in a rehabilitation centre for alcohol dependents from an ecological perspective. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research was used in this study. Furthermore, an exploratory and descriptive research design was used during the research because the available literature showed a lack of information concerning the role of the social worker in a rehabilitation centre for alcohol dependents. A purposeful sample, namely probability sampling, was used to identify participants. The researcher could, therefore, choose participants who qualified for inclusion. The data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire during 23 individual interviews. An overview of the participants’ beliefs and opinions concerning the subject of the study was gained. The questionnaire consisted of open- and closed questions and was based on information obtained from the literature study. Data from the semi-structured questionnaire was processed and analysed and the results of this empirical study were used as basis for the conclusion and recommendations made in this study. The main findings showed that there is a need for family counselling during a rehabilitation programme for alcohol dependents since there is a definite lack of involvement of the family during the rehabilitation process for alcohol dependents. Further findings showed that rehabilitation programmes mainly provide individual counselling to alcohol dependents and minimal focus and attention is given to the family and after care services. The most important recommendation of this study is that social workers should use the ecological perspective when providing services to alcohol dependents. This perspective can ensure that the necessary services are delivered to effectively address alcohol dependents during a rehabilitation process. Recommendations also showed that social workers should involve the family more during a rehabilitation programme since the support of a family plays an important role during the rehabilitation process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wêreldwyd is alkohol die middel wat deur die meeste misbruik word en Suid-Afrika het een van die hoogste alkohol inname syfers, met meer as 30% van die bevolking wat sukkel met alkohol-verwante probleme (Telesure, 2010; Nevid et al., 2008: 297; Pisa et al., 2010:4). Statistiek dui daarop dat sowat 17,5 miljoen Suid-Afrikaners deur die inname van alkohol geaffekteer word, maar baie meer Suid-Afrikaners se lewens word egter totaal ontwrig weens konstante, direkte daaglikse kontak met die individu wat alkohol misbruik soos byvoorbeeld ’n ouer of lewensmaat (Telesure, 2010). Weens hierdie spesifieke rede word alkohol-afhanklikheid in mediese kringe en in die samelewing as ’n gesinsiekte geklassifiseer. Alkohol-afhanklikheid kan gesinne uitmekaar skeur en veroorsaak dat die gesinsdinamika en –prosesse, soos byvoorbeeld die reëls, rituele, roetines, kommunikasie, sosiale lewe, finansies, homeostase en gesinsrolle, totaal ontwrig word (Stepping Stones, 2013). Alkohol-afhanklikheid het sodoende ’n geweldige impak op die funksionering en voortbestaan van ’n gesin, en om die skade wat alkohol-afhanklikheid in ’n gesin veroorsaak te herstel, behoort die gesin ’n belangrike rol te speel in die rehabilitasieproses van die alkohol-afhanklike. Hierdie studie het daarom ten doel gehad om die rol van ’n maatskaplike werker in ’n rehabilitaisiesentrum vir alkohol-afhanklikes vanuit ’n ekologiese perspektief te bepaal. ’n Kombinasie van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenaderings is in hierdie studie benut. Verder is daar tydens hierdie ondersoek ’n verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsonderwerp gebruik, aangesien die beskikbare literatuur ’n gebrek aan inligting rakende die rol van ’n maatskaplike werker in ’n rehabilitasiesentrum vir alkohol-afhanklikes toon. Daar is gebruik gemaak van ’n doelbewuste steekproefmetode, naamlik die nie-waarskynlikheidsteekproef, om deelnemers te identifiseer. Die navorser kon dus die deelnemers kies wat aan die kriteria vir insluiting voldoen. Die data is ingevorder deur die gebruik van ’n semi-gestruktureerde vraelys, tydens 23 individuele onderhoude. ’n Geheelbeeld van die deelnemers se oortuigings en menings aangaande die onderwerp van die studie is verkry. Die samestelling van die vraelys bestaan uit oop- en geslote vrae en berus op inligting wat uit die literatuurstudie verkry is. Data van die semi-gestruktureerde vraelyste is verwerk en geanaliseer en die resultate van die empiriese ondersoek is as basis gebruik vir die gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings wat in hierdie studie gemaak is. Die hoofbevindinge dui op ’n behoefte aan gesinsberading tydens ’n rehabilitasieprogram vir alkohol-afhanklikes aangesien daar ’n definitiewe gebrek aan die betrokkenheid van die gesin tydens ’n rehabilitasieprogram vir alkohol-afhanklikes is. Verdere bevindinge dui daarop dat rehabilitasieprogramme grootliks op individuele berading aan die alkohol-afhanklike fokus en minimale aandag word aan die gesin en nasorgdienste gegee. Die belangrikste aanbeveling van hierdie studie is dat maatskaplike werkers die ekologiese perspektief moet gebruik tydens dienste wat aan alkohol-afhanklikes gelewer word. Hierdie perspektief kan verseker dat die nodige dienste gelewer word om alkohol-afhanklikheid tydens ’n rehabilitasieprogram effektief aan te spreek. Aanbevelings dui ook daarop dat maatskaplike werkers die gesin tydens ’n rehabiltiasieprogram meer moet betrek aangesien die ondersteuning van die gesin ’n belangrike rol speel tydens die rehabilitasieproses.

M.A. (Social Work) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. (Social Work) / The treatment of alcoholism is/provided for by many institutions. Social work is one of the disciplines directly involved and responsible for the treatment of alcoholics. One of a number of problems inherent to service delivering to alcoholics is the problem of premature termination of treatment. In this study the occurrence of premature termination at the West Rand Clinic of the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence is determined and the effect of premature termination of the treatment programme on the alcoholic is explored. To this end, patient files for the period January 1984 to December 1984 are examined. Four groups were identified on the basis of time spend in the treatment programme and stratified samples were drawn from these groups. A telephone schedule, based on relevant literature and the researcher's professional experience, was compiled and interviews were conducted to explore the effect of premature termination on the alcoholic. The findings of the study are summarized in the following conclusions : - The premature termination rate at the West Rand Clinic is congruent with findings of similar research. - Patients who terminated treatment prematurely reported lower levels of well~being than patients-who completed treatment.

This study investigates the relationship between spirituality and recovery for alcohol abusers. The data was gathered by administering a survey questionnaire that explored background information, alcohol use and recovery, and spirituality.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An exploratory study was conducted to determine the nature and extent of the emotions and emotional experiences of alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. The study was also conducted to explore the theoretical field of music therapy and determine how music can be utilized to social group work with alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. The exploratory study was also conducted to determine how many knowledge social workers have about music therapy, and to what extent they believe it can practically be used in social group work with alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. The researchers' interest in group work and the importance of the use of creative aids during group work is the motivation for this study. The aim of the study is thus to establish guidelines for the use of music in social group work in order to provide effective intervention for alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. The most general personality traits, emotions, defence mechanisms, communication and motivational problems of alcoholics and chemically dependent adults, have been enclosed in the literature study. The corresponding principles, goals and intervention processes of group work and music therapy was also highlighted. Focus was especially placed on the corresponding functions of group work and music namely the handling of defence mechanisms, the exploration and expression of emotions, the improvement of communication, the development of a positive self-esteem, socialisation and the facilitation of personal motivation. The value of group work and music in the addressing of alcoholics' and chemically dependent adults' problems and needs, has been investigated because of the specific corresponding functions of group work and music. The umversum IS social workers at institutions that make use of group work interventions in their treatment programmes for alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods was used, namely structured interviews as well as structured questionnaires. The results of this study generally confirmed the findings of the literature study. The recommendations can be divided into three areas namely recommendations concerning policy, programmes and training of social workers, recommendations concerning the corresponding functions of group work and music, and recommendations concerning future research. The importance of further research in the testing of the value of music in group work for specific client groups was especially recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Verkennende studie is in hierdie ondersoek geïmplimenteer ten einde die aard en omvang van volwasse dwelmafhanklikes se emosies en emosionele belewenisse te beskryf, 'n teoretiese verkenning van musiekterapie te doen en dit in verband te bring met maatskaplike groepwerk, en te bepaal in watter mate musiek tydens groepwerk met volwasse dwelmafhanklikes toegepas kan word. Die verkennende studie is ook geïmplimenteer om te bepaal in watter mate maatskaplike werkers kennis oor bogenoemde vorm van intervensie het en in watter mate hulle van mening is dat die benutting van musiek in groepwerkprogramme vir dwelmafhanklikes in inrigtings uitvoerbaar is. Die motivering vir hierdie studie het na vore gekom weens die navorser se belangstelling in kreatiwiteit in die uitvoer van maatskaplike groepwerk. Die doel van hierdie studie is dus om riglyne daar te stel vir die benutting van musiek in maatskaplike groepwerk ten einde effektiewe intervensie aan dwelmafhanklikes in inrigtingsverband te lewer. Die literatuurstudie het die algemene persoonlikheidstrekke, emosies, verdedigingsmeganismes, kommunikatiewe en motiveringsprobleme van dwelmafhanklikes ingesluit. Die gemeenskaplike beginsels, doelstellings en intervensieproses van groepwerk en musiekterapie is ook in die literatuurstudie uitgelig. Daar is veral gefokus op die gemeenskaplike funksies van groepwerk en musiek naamlik die hantering van verdedigingsmeganismes, die eksplorering en uitdrukking van emosies, die bevordering van kommunikasie, die ontwikkeling van 'n positiewe selfbeeld, sosialisering en die fasilitering van persoonlike motivering. Weens die spesifieke gemeenskaplike funksies van groepwerk en musiek, is daar besluit om die waarde van groepwerk en musiek in die aanspreek van dwelmafhanklikes se probleme, te ondersoek. Die universum is maatskaplike werkers by inrigtings wat intervensie aan dwelmafhanklikes deur middel van groepwerk, bied. Die ondersoek is deur 'n kombinasie van gestruktureerde onderhoude sowel as gestruktureerde vraelyste, gerig. Kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe inligting is dus ingesamel. Die resultate van hierdie ondersoek het tot 'n groot mate die bevindinge van die literatuurstudie bevestig naamlik dat dwelmafhanklikes met sekere persoonlikheidseienskappe, emosies, verdedigingsmeganismes en kommunikatiewe probleme presenteer; dat groepwerk 'n gewenste metode om bogenoemde behoeftes en probleme aan te spreek en te hanteer, is; en dat die benutting van musiek in groepsituasies waardevol in die fasilitering van die uitdrukking van emosies, die afbreek van verdedigingsmeganismes en die fasilitering van onder andere ontspanning, kan wees. Die aanbevelings het op drie areas gefokus naamlik algemene aanbevelings rakende inrigtingsbeleid, programme en skoling van maatskaplike werkers, aanbevelings ten opsigte van die gemeenskaplike funksies van groepwerk en musiek, en aanbevelings ten opsigte van verdere navorsing. Daar word aanbeveel dat die benuttingswaarde van musiek in groepwerk met 'n spesifieke kliëntegroep, getoets moet word.

The following thesis describes the experiences of a non-Native, female, social worker as a participant-observer among First Nations people. The setting was that of an Intensive Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program for male Aboriginal ex-offenders, held over a period of four months in 1993. The environment was a secluded camp site, situated to the North-East of Montreal. The material describes, in narrative form, the interactions between non-Native and Mohawk workers, and between non-Native worker and Native clients of various cultural backgrounds. Also considered are general issues which affect First Nations peoples, such as alcohol and drug abuse, grief and loss, sexual abuse and the resurgence of traditional Native spiritual practices. Implications of the work reflect on effective cross-cultural communication, and the importance of facilitating appropriate healing processes for First Nations peoples.

Statistics corroborate the substantial and deleterious impact of substance abuse to both client and client systems. Social workers are regularly exposed to clients who are directly or indirectly affected by substance abuse. A random survey of social workers working with Anglophone and Allophone populations on the island of Montreal was conducted to evaluate the workers perceived ability to recognize and respond to the needs of this client group. Links were drawn to the various ways in which social workers developed their knowledge about addiction and to the worker's formal social work education. The study demonstrates the inadequacy of the formal social work program to address the problem of substance abuse. The implications for schools of social work and the need to develop core curriculum as well as specializations in substance abuse are presented.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An exploratory study was conducted to determine the nature and extent of the emotions and emotional experiences of alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. The study was also conducted to explore the theoretical field of music therapy and determine how music can be utilized to social group work with alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. The exploratory study was also conducted to determine how many knowledge social workers have about music therapy, and to what extent they believe it can practically be used in social group work with alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. The researchers' interest in group work and the importance of the use of creative aids during group work is the motivation for this study. The aim of the study is thus to establish guidelines for the use of music in social group work in order to provide effective intervention for alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. The most general personality traits, emotions, defence mechanisms, communication and motivational problems of alcoholics and chemically dependent adults, have been enclosed in the literature study. The corresponding principles, goals and intervention processes of group work and music therapy was also highlighted. Focus was especially placed on the corresponding functions of group work and music namely the handling of defence mechanisms, the exploration and expression of emotions, the improvement of communication, the development of a positive self-esteem, socialisation and the facilitation of personal motivation. The value of group work and music in the addressing of alcoholics' and chemically dependent adults' problems and needs, has been investigated because of the specific corresponding functions of group work and music. The umversum IS social workers at institutions that make use of group work interventions in their treatment programmes for alcoholics and chemically dependent adults. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods was used, namely structured interviews as well as structured questionnaires. The results of this study generally confirmed the findings of the literature study. The recommendations can be divided into three areas namely recommendations concerning policy, programmes and training of social workers, recommendations concerning the corresponding functions of group work and music, and recommendations concerning future research. The importance of further research in the testing of the value of music in group work for specific client groups was especially recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Verkennende studie is in hierdie ondersoek geïmplimenteer ten einde die aard en omvang van volwasse dwelmafhanklikes se emosies en emosionele belewenisse te beskryf, 'n teoretiese verkenning van musiekterapie te doen en dit in verband te bring met maatskaplike groepwerk, en te bepaal in watter mate musiek tydens groepwerk met volwasse dwelmafhanklikes toegepas kan word. Die verkennende studie is ook geïmplimenteer om te bepaal in watter mate maatskaplike werkers kennis oor bogenoemde vorm van intervensie het en in watter mate hulle van mening is dat die benutting van musiek in groepwerkprogramme vir dwelmafhanklikes in inrigtings uitvoerbaar is. Die motivering vir hierdie studie het na vore gekom weens die navorser se belangstelling in kreatiwiteit in die uitvoer van maatskaplike groepwerk. Die doel van hierdie studie is dus om riglyne daar te stel vir die benutting van musiek in maatskaplike groepwerk ten einde effektiewe intervensie aan dwelmafhanklikes in inrigtingsverband te lewer. Die literatuurstudie het die algemene persoonlikheidstrekke, emosies, verdedigingsmeganismes, kommunikatiewe en motiveringsprobleme van dwelmafhanklikes ingesluit. Die gemeenskaplike beginsels, doelstellings en intervensieproses van groepwerk en musiekterapie is ook in die literatuurstudie uitgelig. Daar is veral gefokus op die gemeenskaplike funksies van groepwerk en musiek naamlik die hantering van verdedigingsmeganismes, die eksplorering en uitdrukking van emosies, die bevordering van kommunikasie, die ontwikkeling van 'n positiewe selfbeeld, sosialisering en die fasilitering van persoonlike motivering. Weens die spesifieke gemeenskaplike funksies van groepwerk en musiek, is daar besluit om die waarde van groepwerk en musiek in die aanspreek van dwelmafhanklikes se probleme, te ondersoek. Die universum is maatskaplike werkers by inrigtings wat intervensie aan dwelmafhanklikes deur middel van groepwerk, bied. Die ondersoek is deur 'n kombinasie van gestruktureerde onderhoude sowel as gestruktureerde vraelyste, gerig. Kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe inligting is dus ingesamel. Die resultate van hierdie ondersoek het tot 'n groot mate die bevindinge van die literatuurstudie bevestig naamlik dat dwelmafhanklikes met sekere persoonlikheidseienskappe, emosies, verdedigingsmeganismes en kommunikatiewe probleme presenteer; dat groepwerk 'n gewenste metode om bogenoemde behoeftes en probleme aan te spreek en te hanteer, is; en dat die benutting van musiek in groepsituasies waardevol in die fasilitering van die uitdrukking van emosies, die afbreek van verdedigingsmeganismes en die fasilitering van onder andere ontspanning, kan wees. Die aanbevelings het op drie areas gefokus naamlik algemene aanbevelings rakende inrigtingsbeleid, programme en skoling van maatskaplike werkers, aanbevelings ten opsigte van die gemeenskaplike funksies van groepwerk en musiek, en aanbevelings ten opsigte van verdere navorsing. Daar word aanbeveel dat die benuttingswaarde van musiek in groepwerk met 'n spesifieke kliëntegroep, getoets moet word.

The study was conducted to see if there is as much or more of a difference in outcome of treatment for addiction in faith-based treatment than secular-based treatment. The research was conducted using a sample of thirty-seven respondents from various sites in Southern California who volunteered to fill out the questionnaire. Data was collected using a self-administrated survey questionnaire.