Date of Award
2-1979
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
First Advisor
Boyd Morros
Second Advisor
Valerie Simms
Abstract
This thesis by Stuart Wallace presents a comprehensive proposal for a treatment approach and residential environment specifically tailored for female alcoholics, with a unique emphasis on accommodating women who are also mothers with young children. Drawing on the author’s clinical experience and a thorough review of the literature, the work addresses the lack of structured, gender-sensitive treatment programs and proposes a model that integrates both behavioral and humanistic therapeutic modalities.
The document explores the distinct characteristics and treatment needs of female alcoholics, noting their underrepresentation in traditional recovery facilities and the compounded challenges they face, such as co-occurring mental health issues, socio-economic instability, and limited childcare options. Wallace synthesizes the insights of prominent researchers, including Schuckit, Beckman, and Blume, to identify common psychological profiles, such as affective disorders and low self-esteem, prevalent among this population.
Critiquing the limitations of purely behavioral approaches, the author advocates for a humanistic-existential therapeutic model that promotes personal responsibility, self-worth, and cognitive restructuring through Rational-Emotive Therapy. The proposed facility—"Women and Children First Recovery Homes"—would be among the first in the U.S. to provide integrated residential care that includes on-site accommodations for children.
A central feature of the paper is the inclusion of a detailed grant proposal aimed at securing funding from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The grant outlines the need for such a facility in Orange County, California, based on demographic data and observed gaps in existing services.
Ultimately, the thesis argues for a shift in treatment philosophy that honors the complexity of female alcoholism and provides a supportive, therapeutic environment that empowers women to recover without being separated from their children.
Recommended Citation
Wallace, Stuart, "A Proposed Treatment Approach and Environment for the Female Alcoholic" (1979). Theses. 1634.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1634
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