WOMEN AND ALCOHOL

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based upon course material developed and deployed by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The course material was specifically developed for the training of clinicians who work with clients who may use or abuse alcohol. The course material can be found on the NIAAAs website at the following link: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Social/Module10BWomen/Module10B.html Men and women have both similarities and marked differences in alcohol use, abuse, and dependence. Practitioners must understand that research knowledge based on males can explain, or fail to explain, the experiences of women. This understanding of discrepancies applies to all topics covered in this curriculum. This course covers the developing an empirically based understanding of the relationships between women and alcohol. Its bio-psycho-social perspective recognizes ways in which women's biology, psychology, and social worlds interact to affect their reactions to alcohol and to alcohol-related interventions. This course content also recognizes that women are not just a homogeneous population, distinct from men. Women are a diverse population, based on their ethnic and national origins, spirituality, sexual orientation, health/mental health, abilities/disabilities, life structures/circumstances, and ages. This course on women and alcohol use disorders is practical for social workers, addiction professionals, professional counselors, psychologists, and chemical dependency counselors who practice and need continuing education. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of the special needs of an adolescent population in substance abuse. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical course credits and are interested in learning more about a specific population and alcohol use disorders. Authors: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the treatment of alcohol use disorders in women. Specifically, a professional will: Identify the biological differences in the effects of alcohol and in alcohol dependence between women and men. Distinguish the psychosocial and environmental issues that affect alcohol dependent women. Distinguish the special treatment needs of women with alcohol problem Citation: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Module 10B Women and Alcohol. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Social/Module10BWomen/Module10B.html on 2/2/13.