ABSTRACT This is a qualitative account of LGBTQ experiences seeking recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous. Tracing back over the past four decades, personal stories of recovery reflect the struggles with getting sober and claiming membership in AA. While AA has worked to make its program of recovery welcoming to all who seek it, this has not always been the experience of the LGBTQ member. The stigma and moral panics spread in the wider society infused AA, as well. However, for the most part, those telling their stories found the means to stick it out and ultimately recover from alcoholism primarily through the support provided by AA. Even as the wider society andAA has become more accepting of the LGBTQ identity, the individual LGBTQ member of AA continues to describe their own struggle with acceptance of their sexual or gender identity. In fact, it appears that their recovery follows two tracks—to fully accept their alcoholic identity and to fully accept their LGBTQ identity.

ABSTRACTData on treatment for AUD (Alcohol Use Disorders) in developing countries are scarce. This study explores aspects of early recovery and correlates of alcohol use after residential AUD treatment in Uganda. 78 respondents were followed up using, among others, the ASI-6, HCSL-37A and WHOQOL–BREF. They were interviewed within two weeks after admission in residential treatment and six months later. Significant reductions in addiction severity and psychopathology, as well as improvements in Quality of Life (QoL) were observed after treatment. Treatment environment, individual characteristics and problems with close friends were the main predictors of early recovery from AUD.

ABSTRACTGender-specific group therapy for substance use disorders (SUDs) has primarily focused on women. The purpose of this study was to (a) develop a gender-specific group therapy for men with SUDs who are heterogeneous with respect to their substances of use and demographic and clinical characteristics, and (b) conduct a pilot study to assess satisfaction and feasibility. Overall, participants (N = 10) reported high satisfaction with the group. From baseline to posttreatment, there was a significant decrease in alcohol use severity and in substance use. The results of this study provide preliminary support for group therapy that focuses on gender-specific themes in an all-male setting for men with SUDs.

ABSTRACTSubstance use disorders (SUDs) have been viewed traditionally as an acute individual illness. However, professionals are beginning to shift SUD treatment practices to match empirically driven models that consider family recovery as an important mechanism of systemic change. This study aimed to explore the relationship between family member hope and readiness to change (RTC). The method includes a dyadic actor-partner interdependence model, exploring change processes observed over a brief family treatment program located within an SUD treatment facility. Results of this study highlight actor effects for parents’ RTC and hope. Implications for research and clinicians are discussed.

ABSTRACTSubstance use disorders (SUDs) are a major problem in the United States that have reverberating effects within families, communities, and society. Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are uniquely positioned to be leaders in addressing SUDs through a systemic relational context. Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) is an evidence-based practice that has the potential to be an excellent fit for individuals, couples, and families struggling with SUDs. In addition, 12-Step facilitation provides a supportive network for individuals dealing with substance use issues. This article uses a systemic approach to integrating IFS and 12-Step facilitation for use with the emerging adult population. A case study example is provided to illustrate the integrated model.

ABSTRACTThis study adopts a gendered perspective when looking at the tension within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) over its singleness of purpose. Due to its very success, those with problems “other than alcohol” are attending AA meetings across the country and are challenging the “deep identification” that takes place within this subculture. Women, as it will be described, have historically had dual addictions and other problems in addition to their primary concern of alcohol dependency. Through the analysis of approximately 300 women’s stories, documenting their experiences with alcohol use disorder and recovery in AA over the past 60 years, it is illustrated that women have not only a history of dual addiction to alcohol and other drugs but that due to gender-role ideology, but also kept their own prescription drug abuse hidden thus not to threaten AA’s singleness of purpose.

ABSTRACTEvidence from physician health programs (PHPs) suggest that long-term continuums of step-down care are effective at achieving at or near a 15% relapse rate. Parallel to the PHP model, evidence from collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) cite a relapse rate from year to year of 8%. The CRP and PHP models involve long-term, comprehensive components of care and ancillary services oriented toward highly transformative abstinence-based recovery. This article identifies factors between the two models that facilitate recovery and discusses the implications for future research.

ABSTRACTEmployment has consistently proven to increase treatment retention and lead to sustained recovery among individuals with substance and alcohol use disorders; however, rates of employment remain low for this group and the utilization of employment services by treatment professionals continues to be quite limited. Employment is listed as a primary goal in treatment plans; therefore, employment specialist (i.e., Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors) and treatment professionals should work in tandem to assist in the realization of this goal. Vocational rehabilitation provides a number of specialized services, which serve to increase the likelihood of obtaining gainful employment. Addiction professionals generally identify these services as ancillary, but should recognize the importance of offering them throughout the entire treatment and recovery process. This study utilized employment data obtained from the Rehabilitation Services Administration for 2010–2014 and sought to identify trends associated with services that predict a greater likelihood of obtaining employment. Utilizing regression analyses, results pinpoint two services, on-the-job supports and job placement assistance, which most consistently predicted successful employment outcomes. A discussion of these services and the importance of integrating employment services throughout the treatment process is included in this study as well.