Assessment and Treatment for Persons with Coexisting Ability and Substance Use Issues: A Review and Analysis of the Literature.

Persons with ability issues are at considerably higher risk to develop substance use problems when compared to the general population. Yet, little is known about the current status of substance use treatment for this population. A comprehensive search of the literature revealed a need for (a) population-specific instruments for screening and assessment of the use of alcohol and drugs, including the misuse of prescription medication; (b) tailored treatment methods and individualized treatment plans that meet diverse literacy or cognitive needs;

Paving a path to inclusion.

Given the Canadian Aboriginal People's colonial legacy of multiple deprivations, the discord between an Aboriginal worldview and the dominant neo-liberal culture in Canada, and the recognized disadvantage vulnerability of single mothers, this quantitative study was aimed at increasing the understanding of exclusion, specifically with reference to the domains of disadvantage of Saskatchewan Aboriginal/Non-Aboriginal single mothers. We conducted a self-administered survey (random selection) of Saskatchewan single mothers (ages 18-59) who had at least one child less than 18 years of age living with them. In our cross-sectional self-administered survey, we compared specific social aspects of life between groups of randomly selected Saskatchewan single mothers, Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal. An exploratory factor analysis identified two factors identified as domains of disadvantage loaded in excess of .30. These two factors accounted for 43% of the common variance in the Aboriginal sample and 47% in the Non-Aboriginal one. What was especially noteworthy was the striking similarity of how these variables tend to cluster together in the two distinct groups from which they were derived. This research will hopefully lead to further studies which endeavor to determine whether such initiatives aimed at enhancing the levels of social inclusion of those regarded as disadvantaged ultimately also impacts their health and well being. Further studies of this nature would help to clarify whether or not the relationship among these measures of adjustment is causal.

Allostatic load: single parents, stress-related health issues, and social care.

This article explores the possible relationships between allostatic load (AL) and stress-related health issues in the low-income single-parent population, using both a population health perspective (PHP) and a biological framework. A PHP identifies associations among such factors as gender, income, employment, and social support and their potential effect on health outcomes. A PHP also recognizes physiological and pathological manifestations of the body such as stress (mental or somatic) and individual biological parameters (for example, glucose levels) as health determinants. AL uses an aggregate score of individual biological parameters as a health measure that is exacerbated through repetitive movement of physiologic systems under stress. The social work profession should incorporate knowledge of both PHP and AL into its theory and practice domains for effective care of vulnerable populations such as single-parent families.