The purpose of this study is to investigate how gender perceptions appear in judgments on compulsory care of persons with ongoing substance abuse (LVM) in Sweden, to develop an understanding for how these perceptions may influence the way that the court relates to judging men and woman. By analysing 20 court cases, of which 10 are on women and 10 are on men, we have been able to examine which gender perceptions appear in these court cases. Earlier research has shown that gender perceptions appear in the general field of social work and specifically in the field of substance abuse treatment. Earlier research also mentions that the gender perspective is quite absent in research regarding social work. The study shows that there are gender perceptions that appear in judgements on compulsory care and that certain descriptions are connected to each gender. I.e. the study shows that woman often is described as vulnerable, passive, and more likely to be seen as mentally ill, while men tend to be described as aggressive, active and their mental health are more likely to be ignored. In this study, we also discuss how these perceptions may affect the outcome of the judgements.

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o uso de cocaína, crack e múltiplas drogas e os aspectos biológicos, psicológicos, sociais e qualidade de vida de usuários. Trata-se de um estudo do tipo transversal, de abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido no CAPSad de Ribeirão Preto, SP, por meio de uma amostra clínica composta por 140 clientes do serviço, sendo 54 (38,6%) usuários de crack, 45 (32,1%) de múltiplas drogas e 41 (29,3%) de cocaína. Instrumento: Informações sociodemográficas, Severity Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD), Escala de Severidade da Dependência de Drogas (SDS), World Health Organization Quality of Life - versão abreviada (WHOQOL-bref), e o Addiction Severity Índex (ASI6). Para análise de dados, empregou-se oTeste Exato de Fisher a fim de avaliar a associação entre as variáveis; para a correlação, utilizou-se o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e de Spearman; nas comparações, foi empregada a Análise de Variância (ANOVA) e, para avaliar a influência dos dados sociodemográficos e a qualidade de vida, utilizou-se o modelo de análise de regressão linear múltipla. A amostra caracterizou-se predominantemente por indivíduos do sexo masculino, religião católica, baixo nível de escolaridade e ocupação em atividades informais. Apenas a faixa etária, a raça e o estado civil diferenciaram-se entre os grupos avaliados. No entanto, somente o estado civil influenciou a percepção da qualidade de vida entre usuários de drogas. Níveis severos tanto da síndrome de dependência do álcool quanto de droga foram evidentes entre os grupos avaliados. Os grupos de cocaína e de crack não se diferenciaram entre si, porém se diferenciaram do grupo de usuários de múltiplas drogas na maioria das avaliações, evidenciando maiores escores nas escalas avaliadas (SADD, SDS e ASI6). No que se refere às correlações entre as áreas do ASI6 e do WHOQOL-bref, estas foram negativas, fracas e significativas na maioria de seus domínios, sinalizando que a gravidade dos problemas relacionados ao uso de substâncias psicoativas interfere na percepção da qualidade de vida. Desse modo, aumentando os problemas gerados pelo consumo de álcool (ASI6), maiores são também os prejuízos avaliados pelos domínios físico, psicológico, social e ambiente (WHOQOL-bref). O mesmo ocorreu com a área psiquiátrica (ASI6), que apresentou maior nível de gravidade quando relacionada aos domínios físico e social (WHOQOL-bref). As áreas médica e legal (ASI6) correlacionaram-se com os domínios físico e psicológico (WHOQOL-bref). Finalmente, a área suporte social e familiar (ASI6) correlacionou-se negativamente com os domínios social e ambiente (WHOQOL-bref).Vale mencionar que os resultados podem auxiliar no atendimento dos usuários de drogas por trazerem valiosas contribuições no que se refere à influência do uso dessas substâncias nos aspectos biológicos, psicológicos, sociais e, principalmente, na percepção da qualidade de vida. Assim, podem nortear a implementação de estratégias importantes no tratamento em dependência química. / The aim in this study was to assess the use of cocaine, crack and multiple drugs and the biological, psychological, social aspects and users\' quality of life. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was undertaken at the CAPSad in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, involving a clinical sample of 140 clients at that service, 54 (38.6%) of whom used crack, 45 (32.1%) multiple drugs and 41 (29.3%) cocaine. Instrument: Sociodemographic information, Severity Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD), Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), World Health Organization Quality of Life - short version (WHOQOL-bref), and the Addiction Severity Index (ASI6). For data analysis, Fisher\'s Exact Test was employed to assess the association among the variables; for the correlation, Pearson and Spearman\'s correlation coefficients were used; in the comparison, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied and, to assess the influence of the sociodemographic data and quality of life, the multiple linear regression analysis model was used. The sample predominantly included male individuals, Catholic religion, low education level and occupation in informal activities. Only age range, racial origin and marital status differed among the groups under assessment. Nevertheless, only marital status influenced the perceived quality of life among drugs users. Severe levels of the alcohol and drug dependence syndromes were evident in the evaluated groups. No mutual differences were found between the cocaine and crack groups, but these differed from the multiple drug user group in most evaluations, showing higher scores on the scales (SADD, SDS and ASI6). As regards the correlations between the areas of the ASI-6 and the WHOQOL-bref, these were negative, weak and significant in most domains, signaling that the severity of the drug use problems interferes in the perceived quality of life. Thus, increasing the problems caused by alcohol consumption (ASI6), greater harm is also found in the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains (WHOQOL-bref). The same was true for the psychiatric area (ASI6), which showed greater severity when related to the physical and social domains (WHOQOL-bref). The medical and legal areas (ASI6) were correlated with the physical and psychological domains (WHOQOL-bref). Finally, the social and family support area (ASI6) was negatively correlated with the social and environmental domains (WHOQOL-bref). It should be mentioned that the results can help to attend to drug users because they offer valuable contributions regarding the influence of the consumption of these substances on the biological, psychological, social aspects and mainly on the perceived quality of life. Hence, they can guide the implementation of important strategies for chemical addiction treatment.

O uso de drogas na adolescência é uma questão debatida nas diferentes esferas da sociedade devido aos prejuízos que ocasionados precocemente. No tratamento especializado, essa questão torna-se ainda mais complexa e desafiadora frente aos fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos do adolescente. O estudo tem como objetivo conhecer a trajetória dos adolescentes em um tratamento para uso de drogas, desde a primeira experimentação às percepções sobre o tratamento. Baseando-se na pesquisa qualitativa, buscou-se a compreensão dos atos e comportamentos dos sujeitos ao priorizar o ponto de vista dos mesmos. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de um roteiro semiestruturado de entrevista. Os adolescentes sujeitos do estudo pertenciam ou já haviam abandonado o Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e Drogas II em Ribeirão Preto-SP. Analisaram-se os dados por meio da categorização temática do conteúdo. Quatorze adolescentes foram sujeitos do estudo, sendo oito participantes do tratamento e seis que o haviam abandonado, predominante do sexo masculino com idade entre 14 e 19 anos. A maioria apresentou-se abaixo do ano escolar adequado às suas idades. A maconha foi a droga mais utilizada. Os adolescentes que abandonaram o tratamento fizeram maior experimentação de outras drogas em relação aos que estavam em tratamento. A rede de relações composta por outros usuários de drogas mostrou-se muito influente ao uso da droga, à experimentação, como fator que aumentava vontade/ intensidade do uso e como motivo para o abandono do tratamento. Outro aspecto citado foi a má utilização do tempo livre e as atividades de lazer que favoreceram a aproximação com as drogas. A droga esteve relacionada como um escape dos conflitos e próprios sentimentos. Quanto ao tratamento especializado, muitos adolescentes o iniciaram por encaminhamentos, seja judicial ou pela família. Dentre os fatores favoráveis a permanência ao tratamento esteve a rede de relações sem usuários de drogas, a participação familiar, a \"força de vontade\" e a relação com equipe profissional do tratamento. Os fatores que predispuseram ao abandono do tratamento foram a acessibilidade à droga, a inadequação dos tratamentos, a rede de amigos, a ausência de apoio familiar e o não querer parar o uso de drogas. Os adolescentes sugeriram que um tratamento atrativo e efetivo deve dispor de uma equipe profissional adequada para trabalhar com esse público, propor atividades que despertem o interesse e os motivem, e estar atento às demandas destes sujeitos às noites e finais de semana, quando o uso mais intenso de drogas ocorre. Conclui-se que os achados deste estudo podem contribuir na elaboração de propostas de intervenções terapêuticas direcionadas a adolescentes usuários de drogas, favorecendo sua adesão ao tratamento. / The use of drugs during adolescence is a question that has been discussed in the different spheres of society, due to the harms they cause precociously in the users\' lives. In the specialized treatment this question becomes still more complex and challenging in the face of the intrinsic and external factors of the adolescent. The aim of the present study is to know the life course of the adolescent during a anti-drug treatment, from the first experimentation to the perceptions on the treatment. Based on qualitative research we seek for understanding of the acts and behavior of the individuals by giving priority to their point of view. The gathering of data was performed by means of a semi-structured guideline of interviews. The adolescent participants of the study belonged to or had already abandoned the Center for Psycho-Social Care for Alcohol and Drugs II in Ribeirão Preto- SP. The data were analyzed through thematic categorization of content. Fourteen adolescents - predominantly male with an age between 14 and 19 years - were interviewed, eight of them are participating in the treatment and six had abandoned it. The major part had a school education below the appropriate level for their age. Marihuana was the most used drug. The adolescent who abandoned treatment had more experimentation of other drugs in comparison to those who were under treatment. The network of relationships composed of other drug users appeared to be very influent for the use of the drug, for the experimentation, as a factor which increased the desire/ intensity of use and as a reason for abandoning the treatment. Another aspect mentioned was the bad usage of free time and the recreational activities which favor the contact with drugs. The drug was related to an escape from conflicts and own feelings. With regard to the specialized treatment, many adolescents started it on referral by judicial authority or by the family. Among the favorable factors of maintaining the treatment were the network of relationships without drug users, the family participation, the \"power of will\" as well as the relationship with the professional treatment team. The factors which predispose the abandonment of treatment were accessibility to the drugs, the inadequacy of treatment, the network of friends, the absence of familiar support and the reluctance to abandon the use of drugs. Finally, the adolescents suggested that an attractive and efficient treatment should dispose of a professional team appropriate for working with the adolescents. The activities proposed by the treatment should arouse their interest and motivate them, and the treatment must be attentive to the needs of these individuals at night and during weekends when the use of drugs occurs more intensively. The study concluded that the findings made are able to contribute to the elaboration of suggestions for therapeutic interventions addressed to adolescent drug users, thus favoring their adhesion to the treatment.

This dissertation examines Puerto Rican therapeutic communities – resource-poor mutual-aid collectives that have flourished over the past five decades, despite being heavily criticized by human rights groups for using unwaged labor as a method to treat addiction. The persistence of these communities, which are spreading rapidly across Latin America, is widely ascribed in international media to state neglect. I conducted a year of ethnographic research in Puerto Rico to understand why labor therapies thrive, and what these approaches are intended to achieve among those who practice them. Challenging the argument that labor therapies are the simple result of the state failing to provide alternatives, my research shows that during the last half century therapeutic communities have been successively recruited to serve a variety of distinct and sometimes competing interests. My examination of the multiple, contested, and sometimes-converging projects that inhere within this therapeutic regime shows that these organizations have variously served as entrepreneurial projects of informal enterprise, existential projects of redemption, state projects of containment, and shunt-valves for relieving burdens of dependency from straining kinship systems. Their endurance, therefore, not only reflects their capacity to patch the cracks of multiple faltering systems (including employment, corrections, family), but it also reflects their protean vulnerability to appropriation: that is, the ease with which they are co-opted by other actors for alternative utilities. Based on eight months of intensive participant observation in one therapeutic community, La Casita, where I explored the cultural logics and meanings of labor therapies, I argue that “drug treatment” here is not centrally geared towards “treating addiction.” Instead, La Casita’s therapeutic practices of labor therapy, time-discipline, prayer, and internal work are more instructively read as social technologies through which men who are excluded from the labor market and estranged from kinship ties seek to cultivate an alternative masculinity that restores their sense of worth. The “socially useful” masculinity under construction here, based on a performance of work, responsibility, and duty, offers unemployed men an alternative way to claim the dignity and social membership of work.

Despite the fact that a lot of information exist in the literature regarding factors leading to drug abuse, consequences of drug abuse for adolescents; little exists that focuses on family support for adolescents after rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to explore family support for adolescents after rehabilitation for drug abuse. The study was based on semi-structured interview based qualitative research. Findings during interviews was that the families have no clear understanding or are not skilled as to how to continue supporting the adolescents after they are discharged from the rehabilitation centre. What was also interesting according to the participants was that even in the rehabilitation centres families are not made part of or involved during the rehabilitation process. There is a need to make the rehabilitation centres aware that families need to be involved during the rehabilitation process of the adolescent so that it becomes easy for the families to continue supporting the adolescents after they have completed the rehabilitation process. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o uso de cocaína, crack e múltiplas drogas e os aspectos biológicos, psicológicos, sociais e qualidade de vida de usuários. Trata-se de um estudo do tipo transversal, de abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido no CAPSad de Ribeirão Preto, SP, por meio de uma amostra clínica composta por 140 clientes do serviço, sendo 54 (38,6%) usuários de crack, 45 (32,1%) de múltiplas drogas e 41 (29,3%) de cocaína. Instrumento: Informações sociodemográficas, Severity Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD), Escala de Severidade da Dependência de Drogas (SDS), World Health Organization Quality of Life - versão abreviada (WHOQOL-bref), e o Addiction Severity Índex (ASI6). Para análise de dados, empregou-se oTeste Exato de Fisher a fim de avaliar a associação entre as variáveis; para a correlação, utilizou-se o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e de Spearman; nas comparações, foi empregada a Análise de Variância (ANOVA) e, para avaliar a influência dos dados sociodemográficos e a qualidade de vida, utilizou-se o modelo de análise de regressão linear múltipla. A amostra caracterizou-se predominantemente por indivíduos do sexo masculino, religião católica, baixo nível de escolaridade e ocupação em atividades informais. Apenas a faixa etária, a raça e o estado civil diferenciaram-se entre os grupos avaliados. No entanto, somente o estado civil influenciou a percepção da qualidade de vida entre usuários de drogas. Níveis severos tanto da síndrome de dependência do álcool quanto de droga foram evidentes entre os grupos avaliados. Os grupos de cocaína e de crack não se diferenciaram entre si, porém se diferenciaram do grupo de usuários de múltiplas drogas na maioria das avaliações, evidenciando maiores escores nas escalas avaliadas (SADD, SDS e ASI6). No que se refere às correlações entre as áreas do ASI6 e do WHOQOL-bref, estas foram negativas, fracas e significativas na maioria de seus domínios, sinalizando que a gravidade dos problemas relacionados ao uso de substâncias psicoativas interfere na percepção da qualidade de vida. Desse modo, aumentando os problemas gerados pelo consumo de álcool (ASI6), maiores são também os prejuízos avaliados pelos domínios físico, psicológico, social e ambiente (WHOQOL-bref). O mesmo ocorreu com a área psiquiátrica (ASI6), que apresentou maior nível de gravidade quando relacionada aos domínios físico e social (WHOQOL-bref). As áreas médica e legal (ASI6) correlacionaram-se com os domínios físico e psicológico (WHOQOL-bref). Finalmente, a área suporte social e familiar (ASI6) correlacionou-se negativamente com os domínios social e ambiente (WHOQOL-bref).Vale mencionar que os resultados podem auxiliar no atendimento dos usuários de drogas por trazerem valiosas contribuições no que se refere à influência do uso dessas substâncias nos aspectos biológicos, psicológicos, sociais e, principalmente, na percepção da qualidade de vida. Assim, podem nortear a implementação de estratégias importantes no tratamento em dependência química. / The aim in this study was to assess the use of cocaine, crack and multiple drugs and the biological, psychological, social aspects and users\' quality of life. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was undertaken at the CAPSad in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, involving a clinical sample of 140 clients at that service, 54 (38.6%) of whom used crack, 45 (32.1%) multiple drugs and 41 (29.3%) cocaine. Instrument: Sociodemographic information, Severity Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD), Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), World Health Organization Quality of Life - short version (WHOQOL-bref), and the Addiction Severity Index (ASI6). For data analysis, Fisher\'s Exact Test was employed to assess the association among the variables; for the correlation, Pearson and Spearman\'s correlation coefficients were used; in the comparison, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied and, to assess the influence of the sociodemographic data and quality of life, the multiple linear regression analysis model was used. The sample predominantly included male individuals, Catholic religion, low education level and occupation in informal activities. Only age range, racial origin and marital status differed among the groups under assessment. Nevertheless, only marital status influenced the perceived quality of life among drugs users. Severe levels of the alcohol and drug dependence syndromes were evident in the evaluated groups. No mutual differences were found between the cocaine and crack groups, but these differed from the multiple drug user group in most evaluations, showing higher scores on the scales (SADD, SDS and ASI6). As regards the correlations between the areas of the ASI-6 and the WHOQOL-bref, these were negative, weak and significant in most domains, signaling that the severity of the drug use problems interferes in the perceived quality of life. Thus, increasing the problems caused by alcohol consumption (ASI6), greater harm is also found in the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains (WHOQOL-bref). The same was true for the psychiatric area (ASI6), which showed greater severity when related to the physical and social domains (WHOQOL-bref). The medical and legal areas (ASI6) were correlated with the physical and psychological domains (WHOQOL-bref). Finally, the social and family support area (ASI6) was negatively correlated with the social and environmental domains (WHOQOL-bref). It should be mentioned that the results can help to attend to drug users because they offer valuable contributions regarding the influence of the consumption of these substances on the biological, psychological, social aspects and mainly on the perceived quality of life. Hence, they can guide the implementation of important strategies for chemical addiction treatment.

O uso de drogas na adolescência é uma questão debatida nas diferentes esferas da sociedade devido aos prejuízos que ocasionados precocemente. No tratamento especializado, essa questão torna-se ainda mais complexa e desafiadora frente aos fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos do adolescente. O estudo tem como objetivo conhecer a trajetória dos adolescentes em um tratamento para uso de drogas, desde a primeira experimentação às percepções sobre o tratamento. Baseando-se na pesquisa qualitativa, buscou-se a compreensão dos atos e comportamentos dos sujeitos ao priorizar o ponto de vista dos mesmos. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de um roteiro semiestruturado de entrevista. Os adolescentes sujeitos do estudo pertenciam ou já haviam abandonado o Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e Drogas II em Ribeirão Preto-SP. Analisaram-se os dados por meio da categorização temática do conteúdo. Quatorze adolescentes foram sujeitos do estudo, sendo oito participantes do tratamento e seis que o haviam abandonado, predominante do sexo masculino com idade entre 14 e 19 anos. A maioria apresentou-se abaixo do ano escolar adequado às suas idades. A maconha foi a droga mais utilizada. Os adolescentes que abandonaram o tratamento fizeram maior experimentação de outras drogas em relação aos que estavam em tratamento. A rede de relações composta por outros usuários de drogas mostrou-se muito influente ao uso da droga, à experimentação, como fator que aumentava vontade/ intensidade do uso e como motivo para o abandono do tratamento. Outro aspecto citado foi a má utilização do tempo livre e as atividades de lazer que favoreceram a aproximação com as drogas. A droga esteve relacionada como um escape dos conflitos e próprios sentimentos. Quanto ao tratamento especializado, muitos adolescentes o iniciaram por encaminhamentos, seja judicial ou pela família. Dentre os fatores favoráveis a permanência ao tratamento esteve a rede de relações sem usuários de drogas, a participação familiar, a \"força de vontade\" e a relação com equipe profissional do tratamento. Os fatores que predispuseram ao abandono do tratamento foram a acessibilidade à droga, a inadequação dos tratamentos, a rede de amigos, a ausência de apoio familiar e o não querer parar o uso de drogas. Os adolescentes sugeriram que um tratamento atrativo e efetivo deve dispor de uma equipe profissional adequada para trabalhar com esse público, propor atividades que despertem o interesse e os motivem, e estar atento às demandas destes sujeitos às noites e finais de semana, quando o uso mais intenso de drogas ocorre. Conclui-se que os achados deste estudo podem contribuir na elaboração de propostas de intervenções terapêuticas direcionadas a adolescentes usuários de drogas, favorecendo sua adesão ao tratamento. / The use of drugs during adolescence is a question that has been discussed in the different spheres of society, due to the harms they cause precociously in the users\' lives. In the specialized treatment this question becomes still more complex and challenging in the face of the intrinsic and external factors of the adolescent. The aim of the present study is to know the life course of the adolescent during a anti-drug treatment, from the first experimentation to the perceptions on the treatment. Based on qualitative research we seek for understanding of the acts and behavior of the individuals by giving priority to their point of view. The gathering of data was performed by means of a semi-structured guideline of interviews. The adolescent participants of the study belonged to or had already abandoned the Center for Psycho-Social Care for Alcohol and Drugs II in Ribeirão Preto- SP. The data were analyzed through thematic categorization of content. Fourteen adolescents - predominantly male with an age between 14 and 19 years - were interviewed, eight of them are participating in the treatment and six had abandoned it. The major part had a school education below the appropriate level for their age. Marihuana was the most used drug. The adolescent who abandoned treatment had more experimentation of other drugs in comparison to those who were under treatment. The network of relationships composed of other drug users appeared to be very influent for the use of the drug, for the experimentation, as a factor which increased the desire/ intensity of use and as a reason for abandoning the treatment. Another aspect mentioned was the bad usage of free time and the recreational activities which favor the contact with drugs. The drug was related to an escape from conflicts and own feelings. With regard to the specialized treatment, many adolescents started it on referral by judicial authority or by the family. Among the favorable factors of maintaining the treatment were the network of relationships without drug users, the family participation, the \"power of will\" as well as the relationship with the professional treatment team. The factors which predispose the abandonment of treatment were accessibility to the drugs, the inadequacy of treatment, the network of friends, the absence of familiar support and the reluctance to abandon the use of drugs. Finally, the adolescents suggested that an attractive and efficient treatment should dispose of a professional team appropriate for working with the adolescents. The activities proposed by the treatment should arouse their interest and motivate them, and the treatment must be attentive to the needs of these individuals at night and during weekends when the use of drugs occurs more intensively. The study concluded that the findings made are able to contribute to the elaboration of suggestions for therapeutic interventions addressed to adolescent drug users, thus favoring their adhesion to the treatment.

Masters of Art / High rates of substance use and its associated problems afflict Cape Town, underscoring the need for easily accessible substance abuse treatment. Despite the substantial benefits for both individuals and society at large that substance abuse treatment confers, substance abusers often first have to negotiate considerable challenges in order to access treatment and accumulate these gains. That is, experiencing barriers to accessing treatment, together with the presence of socio-demographic features, rather than “need for treatment”, decides who accesses treatment. Referrals are the gateway to inpatient substance abuse treatment in the Western Cape. While several barriers to accessing treatment have been identified by prior studies, none examine these phenomena from the point of view of the agents responsible for referring substance users for treatment. Moreover, access barriers to inpatient substance abuse services are a neglected area in extant literature. To address this gap, this study explored the perceptions of referring agents‟ of the barriers to accessing state-funded inpatient substance abuse treatment centres in the Western Cape. This enabled the researcher to compare existing access barriers to treatment as identified by prior research, to those elucidated in the study. Bronfenbrenner‟s Process-Person-Context-Time model was employed as the basis for understanding identified barriers. In accordance with the exploratory qualitative methodological framework of the study, six semi-structured individual in-depth interviews were conducted with referring agents‟ of differing professional titles who were purposefully selected and expressed a willingness to participate in the study. Interviews were audio-recorded, and transcripts were analysed and interpreted by means of Thematic Analysis. Two broad thematic categories of access barriers were identified: Person-related barriers (denial, motivation for treatment, gender considerations, disability, active TB disease, homelessness, psychiatric co-morbidity) and Context-related barriers to treatment (cultural and linguistic barriers, stigma, community beliefs about addiction and treatment, awareness of substance abuse treatment, affordability/ financial barriers, geographic locations of treatment facilities, waiting time, lack of collaboration within the treatment system, beliefs of service providers‟, lack of facilities/ resources within the treatment system, practices at inpatient facilities, referral protocol and uninformed staff). Results suggest that by targeting the aforementioned barriers, access to inpatient and outpatient treatment services can be improved, and recommendations for interventions are offered in this regard. Ethical principles such as obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality were abided by throughout the study and thereafter.

D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology) / Research shows a consistent increase in substance abuse. Research further states that recovery is a long-term process and that relapse rates are high. Substance abuse has a devastating effect on all dimensions of an abuser's life. Substance abuse research primarily focuses on primary care intervention. This study focuses on secondary phase treatment because of the long-term nature of the disease. Research indicates that a holistic integrated treatment, using a bio-psychosocial spiritual approach, may yield the best treatment outcome. Many treatment models acknowledge the spiritual aspect of substance abuse, but overlook the value of focusing on the spiritual aspect to effect holistic improvement. This study proposes that such a focus, when part of an integrated treatment model, may augment treatment outcome. The researcher set out to develop and evaluate an integrated Christian psychological secondary phase treatment model for substance abusers. The theoretical framework of this study integrates aspects of contemporary models, existing models and a Christian treatment model. Integrative psychotherapy produces treatment models that are more complete and result in more effective treatment. Five treatment components were systematically integrated to form a meta model. These components comprised: contemporary psychological models, professionally developed models, a Christian model, the psychology of religion and Christian psychology. The Christian belief of the study participants was included as the fifth component. This resulted in the development of a Christian-based psychological model that was applied and evaluated for its potential to promote recovery, prevent relapse and maintain abstinence. The developed model consisted of three phases: assessment, intervention and evaluation...

Peniston and Kulkosky (1989, 1990) demonstrated the effectiveness of alpha-theta EEG-Biofeedback (EEG-BFB) in treating inpatient alcoholics noting significant improvements in depression, psychopathology, serum β-endorphin levels, and abstinence rates. The present study is an extension of a previously unpublished replication of the Peniston EEG-BFB protocol with 20 chemically dependent outpatients (Bodenhamer-Davis, Callaway, & DeBeus, 2002). Fifteen subjects were "high risk for re-arrest" probationers. Data for the EEG-BFB group was collected from archival records. Subjects completed an average of 39 sessions (SD = 6.096), with 33 of those being EEG-BFB. Pre/post-treatment MMPI-2s™ (University of Minnesota) were collected and follow-up (4-11 years) data obtained (abstinence rates, re-arrests in some cases). Treatment effects were evaluated by comparing assessment data (pre/post) and documenting abstinence rates. Post-treatment MMPI-2 results were within normal limits, with several scales significantly reduced from baseline suggesting less psychopathology. Results were then compared to 20 subjects receiving standard addiction treatment (OT-CD group), but not EEG-BFB. OT-CD subjects completed a 2-week inpatient program followed by 18 outpatient sessions. Pre/post assessment and follow-up data was collected on the OT-CD group. The OT-CD group's post-assessment results showed three elevations (MMPI-2 scales 4/6/8), suggestive of characteriological problems. Post-MMPI-2 results of the two groups were compared via ANCOVAs. Findings indicated no significant differences between groups on targeted scales; however, there was a trend for the EEG-BFB group to have lower scores. Follow-up data was obtained on 13 EEG-BFB subjects. Results indicated 92% (n = 12) were sober, with 8% (n = 1) claiming significantly reduced alcohol intake. Probationer re-arrest and revocation rates were collected on the subset of probationers (n = 14 out of 15). The majority of the probationers (79%, n = 11) had not been re-arrested nor had their probation been revoked. Short-term follow-up information (35-131 days post-assessment), available at the time of writing, for the OT-CD group (N = 13) showed 85% (n = 11) were sober, with 15% (n = 2) relapsed. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.