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Home Courses I teach Social Work Program Social Work and Substance Abuse Incidence Lifetime prevalence of alcohol abuse/dependence for those over 18 = 13.8% Lifetime prevalence of other substance abuse/dependence for those over 18 = 6.2.% Order of prevalence Alcohol Cigarettes Marijuana Prescription type medications Cocaine Other illicit drugs such as inhalants Variables associated with highest use Age 18-25 More males Urban area Family History Alcohol Abuse Classified as a depressant Alcohol abuse - problems associated with drinking Alcohol dependence - increased tolerance, withdrawal, inability to curtail use. Alcoholism - compulsive drinking 1:4 alcohol abuser 1:10 alcohol dependent Types of Alcoholism Primary alcoholism - drinking is primary activity, living to drink Secondary alcoholism - drinking associated with mental illness, drinking to self-medicate Antisocial personality - especially in men Depression - especially in women, also history of victimization and violence Health Effects of Alcoholism Liver disease - cirrhosis Alcoholic dementia Traffic fatalities, home and work injuries High correlation with domestic violence Issues in treatment: Detoxification and inpatient Care Residential treatment Intensive Day treatment 12 step programs (AA, NA) Outpatient treatment, groups, family, Cultural and Gender Issues Issue of sobriety vs. Controlled drinking Antabuse Dual diagnosis Issues for social work Role of CAC Specialization vs. Generalization Knowledge of physiological process Counselor in recovery Medical model Legalization Medical professionals have the highest rate of substance abuse of all professions The Alcohol Assessment Use of standardized screening tools MAST, Audit Always ask about drugs and alcohol Ask for specifics frequency amounts - give ridiculously high examples where, why, and with who do you drink Ask about family history Ask about traffic accidents, police records, legal action, lawsuits Ask how family feels about your drinking Ask about drinking related problems Ask about health |