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Treating adults raised by alcoholic parents
1Division of Applied Research, Community Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, Maryland 20857.
Recent Developments in Alcoholism : an Official Publication of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism, the Research Society on Alcoholism, and the National Council on Alcoholism
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) have significantly impacted mental health treatment, developing programs based on the "inner child" concept. However, research on treatment efficacy for ACOAs is notably lacking, highlighting a need for scientific inquiry.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health
- Addiction Studies
Background:
- Adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) represent a significant social movement influencing mental health and chemical dependence treatment.
- ACOA-driven treatment philosophies often incorporate the
- inner child
- concept.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the central treatment themes within the ACOA movement.
- To examine how these themes shape current ACOA treatment programs.
- To highlight the scarcity of efficacy studies in scientific literature.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on ACOA social movement's influence on treatment.
- Analysis of common interpersonal and intrapersonal problems addressed in ACOA programs.
- Discussion of treatment ideologies derived from the ACOA movement.
Main Results:
- ACOAs have established influential treatment programs and philosophies, often centered on the "inner child" concept.
- Despite their impact, there is a paucity of scientific research evaluating the efficacy of these treatments.
Conclusions:
- The ACOA movement's influence on treatment is substantial.
- There is a critical need for rigorous scientific research to validate ACOA treatment efficacy.
- Ethical responsibilities in scientific inquiry and patient treatment must be upheld.