South Africa is faced with a high rate of substance use and sexual abuse among both sexes of adolescents from a wide range of social backgrounds. So many cases have been reported in the Department of Social Development and Special Programmes in Port St Johns. This article shows that the patterns of alcohol use among South African adolescents is cause for concern. The use of substance by adolescents is associated with a range of negative consequences, including the risk of being sexual abused. Many adolescents from the areas surrounding Port St Johns use substances, and as a result they end up engaging in risky sexual activities. Older people take advantage of them, so that many of these adolescents become victims of sexual abuse. Some of them become school drop-outs. As a result, the following effects can develop in these adolescents. * Isolation * Self-blame * Embarrassment The aim of the study was to do case analysis in order to identify adolescents who were sexually abused while being intoxicated so that the social workers can construct empowering programmes to prevent the abuse of substances and also the sexual abuse of these adolescents. Data collection took place by means of case analysis of 15 adolescents. Documents of the adolescents from the case loads of social workers in the Department of Social Development and Special Programmes were used to gain a detailed picture of the themes emerging from adolescents who were sexually abused after the abuse of substances. The results indicated that many adolescents from the areas surrounding Port St Johns use substances and as a result they end up engaging in risky sexual activities. Older people take advantage of them while they are under the influence of a substance, and these adolescents become victims of sexual abuse. / MSW (Forensic Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

SammanfattningKvinnor inom missbruksvården kan beskrivas som en speciellt utsatt grupp, delsutifrån samhällets normer och dels utifrån behandlingsmetoderna som än idag oftaär uppbyggda utifrån mäns behov. Studiens övergripande syfte var att undersökahur samhällets attityder och normer påverkar kvinnor med missbruksproblematik,samt hur dessa kvinnor har upplevt behandlingen och vården. Studien baseras påsex kvalitativa intervjuer och strävade efter den subjektiva beskrivningen av dessakvinnors verklighet. Intervjuerna har analyserats med hjälp av innehållsanalys isyfte att få en djupare förståelse för kvinnornas egna berättelser. Teorier omgenus, makt och samhällets normer har legat till grund för analys av empirin.Resultatet visade att kvinnor med missbruksproblematik upplever mycket känslorav skuld och skam. När det gäller behandlingsform råder det ingen entydighet omhuruvida behandlingen bör vara könsspecifik eller könsblandad. Däremotupplevde majoriteten av respondenterna att genomförd behandling intemotsvarade deras individuella behov.

The aim of this study was to examine if the leaving of an abuse could be understood as a process, that incorporates both psychological and sociological parts. We collected our data through a qualitative method of reading autobiographies. The selection of materials was based on the autobiographies that dealt with substance abuse issues, where the selection was delimited to the autobiographies where the individuals had had an alcohol, drug or gambling abuse. The chosen material was written in Swedish, by the addict and after the individual had come out of their abuse. The reading of the material was based on a number of reading questions based on the study’s questions. Following the patterns we found from the reading, we formed a division of our results where eight themes were identified that seemed to play an important role when leaving an abuse: questioning, unsuccessful attempts, insight, turning point, a struggle, important help, new self and awareness. Our result was then analyzed against both psychological and sociological research to give different explanatory models of what we saw in the material. The psychologically oriented research talked about how an individual leaves addiction and how, for example, cognitive changes and turning points are central parts. The sociologically oriented research consisted of a theoretical explanation model about how an individual makes a role exit when, for example, he leaves an abuse where social factors such as environmental impact plays an important role. One of the study’s conclusions was that leaving an abuse could be understood as a process. Another conclusion was that the eight different steps of the process could include both sociological and psychological parts. Thus, through our study, we distinguished that leaving an abuse was not only influenced by one or the other approach, but that studies that illuminate and merge both psychological and sociological perspectives are needed. The study also shows the importance of bringing these two directions together in order to reach a full understanding of what the individual undergoes during his or her journey from an abuse.

Introdução: Indivíduos com infecção pelo vírus de Hepatite C (HCV) frequentemente apresentam uso de álcool, contudo, pacientes com consumo moderado ainda são pouco estudados, especialmente, sobre qual o impacto desse uso de álcool nos sintomas depressivos e ansiosos. Objetivos: Caracterização dos pacientes portadores de HCV e investigação do impacto do uso moderado de álcool na presença e intensidade dos sintomas de depressão e ansiedade nessa população. Métodos: Foram selecionados 109 indivíduos, portadores de HCV, provenientes dos ambulatórios de Hepatologia e Moléstias Infecciosas do Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP, que aguardavam o início do tratamento para HCV. Os pacientes foram submetidos à entrevista psiquiátrica, análise dos dados clínicolaboratoriais e elastografia hepática transitória não invasiva com FibroScan®; os sintomas depressivos e ansiosos foram avaliados por meio das escalas de BDI e BAI. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o consumo de álcool, baseado em pontuação positiva na segunda questão do ASSIST (teste de triagem para o uso de álcool, tabaco e outras substâncias). O grupo com ASSIST positivo para uso de álcool foi comparado ao grupo com ASSIST negativo para uso de álcool, referente aos dados sociodemográficos, clínicos, sintomas depressivos e ansiosos. Resultados: Nessa amostra, 44% dos participantes encontravam-se na faixa etária a partir dos 60 anos, 59% eram do gênero masculino, 59% casados e 53% completaram o ensino fundamental I. Em relação às características relacionadas ao HCV: 82% apresentavam o genótipo tipo 1 e 61% apresentavam avaliação da fibrose hepática pelo FibroScan®, entre F3 e F4. Ao comparar os grupos com ASSIST positivo e negativo para uso de álcool, não foram observadas diferenças significativas nos dados sociodemográficos, clínicolaboratoriais, sintomas depressivos e ansiosos. Ao associar o uso moderado de álcool, bem como sintomas depressivos (BDI) e ansiosos (BAI), não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos. Conclusão: Nessa amostra, o uso moderado de álcool, em indivíduos portadores de HCV não submetidos ao tratamento com antivirais de ação direta, não foi associado à maior intensidade de sintomas depressivos e ansiosos / Background: Individuals with hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) frequently present alcohol use; however, patients with moderate alcohol consumption are still poorly studied, especially regarding the impact of this alcohol use on depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with HCV. Aims: Characterization of patients with HCV and investigation of the impact of moderate alcohol use on the presence and intensity of symptoms of depression and anxiety in this population. Methods: We selected 109 individuals with HCV from the Hepatology and Infectious Diseases clinics of the Hospital das Clinicas of FMUSP, who were waiting to start HCV treatment. Those patients were submitted to a psychiatric interview, analysis of clinical and laboratory data and non-invasive transient hepatic elastography with FibroScan®; depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the BDI and BAI scales. Participants were divided into two groups according to alcohol consumption based on a positive score on the second point of the ASSIST (screening test for alcohol, tobacco and other substances). The positive ASSIST group for alcohol use was compared to the negative ASSIST group for alcohol use, referring to socio-demographic, clinical data, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Results: In this sample, 44% of the participants were above 60 years old, 59% were males, 59% were married, and 53% completed elementary education I. In relation to HCV-related characteristics, 82% were type 1 genotype and 61% presented FibroScan® assessment of hepatic fibrosis between F3 and F4. When comparing the groups with positive and negative ASSIST for alcohol use, no significant differences were observed in sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data or depression and anxiety symptoms. By associating moderate use of alcohol and depression (BDI) and anxiety (BAI) symptoms, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. Conclusion: In this sample, the moderate use of alcohol in HCV patients not submitted to treatment with direct-acting antivirals was not associated with a greater intensity of depression and anxiety symptoms

Background: Intimate partner violence is a major human rights problem, that affects all sexes of all ages in all societies. Men are the primary perpetrators, and women are more likely to get injured since the violence against women also tends to be more severe. The majority of the perpetrators of violence are in an intimate relationship and in many of the cases, alcohol is a significant contributor to the abuse. Aim: To investigate which societal factors drive and maintain the alcohol-related violence towards women and what coping strategies these women use to handle this form of violence in Livingstone, Zambia. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 16 Zambian women who had experienced violence by alcohol abusive male partners was conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The results in this study shows that poverty is the source of this form of violence. It is not only the absence of money but also the presence thereof and the way in which this challenges the traditional gender roles. These traditional gender roles are changing because men do not take their responsibilities as providers. Women used emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies to cope with these stressful situations. Conclusion: This study concludes that poverty and the challenging of traditional gender roles perpetuate violence. These women, who are exposed to this violence are reaching out for help but are not getting the help they need, which is partly due to the society’s view of the importance of marriage.

There is a strong association between alcohol and relationship problems, with each problem exacerbating the other. In this program of research two studies were conducted. The first study was to investigate the variables that put couples at risk for developing a combination of relationship and alcohol problems. The second study was an evaluation of the effects of an integrated education program that promoted safe drinking and positive relationship interaction. Previous research shows that deficits in negative affect regulation and poor communication predict the onset of both relationship and alcohol problems. Based on these findings, it was hypothesized that deficits in communication exist in couples in which one or both partners drink at hazardous levels. In Study 1 communication of 85 couples (53 couples with no high-risk drinker and 32 couples with at least one at-risk drinker) in early stage committed relationships was assessed by observation of their interaction. Couples in which the man was drinking at hazardous levels had significantly more negative communication than couples without an at-risk drinker. In Study 2, 37 couples with at least one at-risk drinker were randomly assigned to either Controlling Alcohol and Relationship Enhancement (CARE) or a control condition. Couple communication, alcohol consumption, relationship satisfaction and relationship stability were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Alcohol consumption, relationship satisfaction and relationship stability were also assessed at 6-month follow-up. Couples receiving CARE improved their communication significantly relative to the control couples. Couples in both conditions showed significant reductions in hazardous drinking, but there was no significant difference in the effects of the interventions on alcohol consumption. The program of research demonstrates that deficits in couple communication are evident in couples with hazardous male drinking, even in the early stage of the relationship when the couples report high relationship satisfaction. The communication deficits are remedied with brief, skill-training relationship education. Furthermore, there was evidence for the effects of CARE on reduction of steps towards relationship dissolution at 6-month follow-up. The brief alcohol component of the intervention showed little benefit beyond the control condition in terms of impact upon the alcohol problems. This research is the first to demonstrate that a combined program of skill-based relationship education and strategies for alcohol reduction is effective in remediating communication skills deficits in the early stage relationships of couples with hazardous alcohol consumption. Future research can extend this work to enable the development of programs which match the content of relationship education to the specific needs of other high-risk couples.

<p>Syftet med studien är att få en djupare inblick i hur en kvinna kan påverkas som barn men även som vuxen av att växa upp i en familj där den ena föräldern är alkoholmissbrukare. Intresseområdet är att studera uppväxtförhållanden samt hur dessa påverkar individen psykiskt, fysiskt och socialt. Då tidigare forskning i huvudsak fokuserar på hur pojkar och män påverkas av att växa upp i familjer där en förälder missbrukar alkohol, inriktar sig denna studie på kvinnor. För att få en djupare inblick i problemområdet valdes en kvalitativ metod där fyra kvinnor intervjuades. I studien framkommer flera likheter mellan kvinnorna, exempelvis funktioner inom familjesystemet, så som lojalitet, samt de roller som kvinnorna antog. Studien redovisar även vissa skillnader och det visar sig att faktorer som påverkar dessa olikheter bland annat är den missbrukande förälderns kön samt närvaron av andra viktiga vuxna. Uppväxten har påverkat kvinnorna i vuxen ålder på flera sätt, exempelvis har alla, eller har haft, svårt att känna tillit samt flera har haft problematiska förhållanden till män.</p> / <p>The purpose of this study is to obtain a deeper insight regarding how a woman can be affected as a child but also as an adult by growing up in a family where one of the parents is an alcohol abuser. The field of interest is to study the childhood environment and its influence on the individual in psychological terms as well as physically and socially. Since earlier research has mainly focused on how boys and men are influenced by growing up in families where one parent is an alcoholic, this study concentrates on women. Aiming to get a deeper insight into the problem area, a qualitative method was chosen, including in-depth interviews with four women. The study reveals several similarities between the four women, including similar functions in the family system, such as loyalty, and which roles the women assumed. The study also suggests certain differences between the women and the families and it is shown that some of the factors influencing these differences are the sex of the alcohol abusing parent and the presence of other adults. Growing up in a family where one parent was an alcoholic has affected the adult women in several ways, for instance has everyone, or had, problems regarding trust and several had problematic relationships with men.</p>

Syftet med studien är att få en djupare inblick i hur en kvinna kan påverkas som barn men även som vuxen av att växa upp i en familj där den ena föräldern är alkoholmissbrukare. Intresseområdet är att studera uppväxtförhållanden samt hur dessa påverkar individen psykiskt, fysiskt och socialt. Då tidigare forskning i huvudsak fokuserar på hur pojkar och män påverkas av att växa upp i familjer där en förälder missbrukar alkohol, inriktar sig denna studie på kvinnor. För att få en djupare inblick i problemområdet valdes en kvalitativ metod där fyra kvinnor intervjuades. I studien framkommer flera likheter mellan kvinnorna, exempelvis funktioner inom familjesystemet, så som lojalitet, samt de roller som kvinnorna antog. Studien redovisar även vissa skillnader och det visar sig att faktorer som påverkar dessa olikheter bland annat är den missbrukande förälderns kön samt närvaron av andra viktiga vuxna. Uppväxten har påverkat kvinnorna i vuxen ålder på flera sätt, exempelvis har alla, eller har haft, svårt att känna tillit samt flera har haft problematiska förhållanden till män. / The purpose of this study is to obtain a deeper insight regarding how a woman can be affected as a child but also as an adult by growing up in a family where one of the parents is an alcohol abuser. The field of interest is to study the childhood environment and its influence on the individual in psychological terms as well as physically and socially. Since earlier research has mainly focused on how boys and men are influenced by growing up in families where one parent is an alcoholic, this study concentrates on women. Aiming to get a deeper insight into the problem area, a qualitative method was chosen, including in-depth interviews with four women. The study reveals several similarities between the four women, including similar functions in the family system, such as loyalty, and which roles the women assumed. The study also suggests certain differences between the women and the families and it is shown that some of the factors influencing these differences are the sex of the alcohol abusing parent and the presence of other adults. Growing up in a family where one parent was an alcoholic has affected the adult women in several ways, for instance has everyone, or had, problems regarding trust and several had problematic relationships with men.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Joanne Rovet.

Oxelösund är en liten kommun på den Södermanländska kusten. Denna kommun har trots sin storlek stora problem med ohälsa i form av bland annat hög andel missbrukare. Dock kan man se att hälsoproblemen i Oxelösund är mer omfattade och innefattar i princip alla områden av folkhälsan. Man kan se att riskfaktorerna delvis är fler än friskfaktorerna. Detta kan vara en del i samhällets habitus, man en ohälsosam livsstil i Oxelösund. / Oxelösund is a small municipality on the coast of Södermanland. This municipality has, despite its size, huge problems with the public health. The municipality has a high rate of addicts if you compare to other municipalitys in the area of Södermanland. However the study shows that the health problems in Oxelösund is more extensive and includes virtually all areas of public health. The study shows that the risk factors are more prevalant than the health factors. This may be a part of the society's habitus, habitants of Oxelösund have a more unhealthy lifestyle.