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Biomedical subjects

A G Barthwell

Publications and source records attributed to A G Barthwell.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Alcoholism in the family. A multicultural exploration.

The initial focus is on defining race, culture, and ethnicity, followed by a review of the extent of alcohol and alcohol use consequences among African-Americans and Native Americans. Cultural specificity in an historical context is provided. A brief overview of gaps in the incident and prevalence data is presented. The biosociocultural context of drinking among African-American women with specific emphasis on cultural disruption, socialization, and social class is explored. A triracial infant girl (African-American/Native American/German-Irish-American), whose family genogram documents, by the case study method, six generations back to slavery, is presented. The alcohol use patterns within this family are somewhat illustrative of historical patterns and of racial and ethnic import. An absence of religiosity/spirituality is noted. The family genogram is followed by a discussion of the limitations of the case study method of family genograms. The final section relates the findings of the family genogram back to the extant data and the gaps in the collection of data regarding the epidemiology of alcoholism across groups. It highlights the recent findings and questions raised by those findings from cross-cultural and racial studies of alcoholism among women of color.

Acculturation↗

An introduction to ethnic and cultural diversity.

Ethnic and cultural diversity are important determinants of alcohol and drug use patterns and consequences. Cultural differences constitute proximal determinants of alcoholism and imply certain differences in attitudes, values, and perceptual constructs as a result of different culturally based experiences. Thus, all children and adolescents are not equal clinically; transcultural communication is necessary for effective identification, diagnosis, and management of substance use disorders. Health status antecedents to, and consequences of, substance use disorders in ethnic groups of color are examined. Drinking is explored in biological, cultural, and social contexts.

Adolescent↗

Medical maintenance: a pilot study.

In a one year study, 130 methadone maintained subjects with a six month history of good treatment performance were assigned randomly to an experimental condition of one monthly non-random urine screen, one monthly counseling session, one monthly doctor visit, two times per month methadone pick up, a quarterly true random urine screen and participation in a diversion control program or to a control condition of staying under standard conditions for six months and then being transferred to the experimental condition for six months. Results of urine screens and scores on the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) at entrance and six month intervals showed no differences between groups. Three out of four subjects completed the year in good standing. Subject satisfaction was such that the IRB judged that return to standard conditions would be a hardship. Experimental conditions were cheaper such that resources freed up could be applied to the HIV epidemic.

Adult↗

Interventions/Wilmer: a continuum of care for substance abusers in the criminal justice system.

This article describes a 300-bed substance abuse treatment program that is part of a continuum of care focused on preventing drug and criminal recidivism in substance abusing criminals incarcerated in Dallas County, Texas. It is the product of a joint effort of the judiciary, the Dallas County Supervision and Corrections Department, the State of Texas Criminal Justice Division, and Interventions Co., a not-for-profit treatment provider. The program is rooted in over 25 years of treatment experience and incorporates therapeutic community (TC) technology combined with 12-Step programming, behavior modification, job training (having a job is required for graduation), educational, and medical/psychiatric elements. Treatment is conceived as part of a continuum of care to provide substantial and sustained support for the inmate in the difficult process of adapting to the community post incarceration. Treatment plans are individualized and are based on an extended workup in which the individual's status in a number of domains is assessed. Specialized services, such as transportation and childcare, facilitate recovery. Once in the community, urine monitoring, groups, and counseling continue. The program is beginning its fourth year of operation and approximately 600 inmates have started the program. A formal evaluation is in process.

Adult↗