NCJ Number
105790
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1987) Pages: 11-15
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper proposes a treatment response model for the alcoholic offender that involves an alliance between the probation officer and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Abstract
While alcoholism is a progressive illness, with denial as a primary symptom, there is potential for individual recovery through abstinence. Using a good working knowledge of the illness, its etiology, and progression, probation officers should make educating alcoholic clients their first supervisory priority. In addition, officers can use confrontation as a supervision tool by insisting upon complete abstinence, refusing to accept controlled drinking behavior, and returning clients to court or even jail for violations. In addition, probation officers can legitimately and therapeutically use their authority by instructing clients to attend a certain number of AA meetings. Sobriety and attendance should be carefully monitored, and clients should be encouraged to acquire sponsors and discuss their AA experiences. 8 references.