Attitudes and knowledge concerning alcohol abuse: curriculum implications

This study presents data regarding social work practitioner experiences, attitudes and knowledge about alcoholism. A standardized instrument was used to survey BSWs and MSWs (N = 105) at three sites in Canada. Significant findings were: (a) these practitioners had low levels of knowledge about alcoholism as measured on the Alcohol Knowledge Scale (AKS), and (b) professional experiences, not personal ones, shaped their knowledge. The latter included whether they had participated in any post graduate coursework/continuing education or conducted research with this population. Implications are directed toward curriculum development for educators and practitioners working in this field.