Reducing and preventing alcohol misuse and its consequences: A Grand Challenge for social work

Abstract

In both the United States and throughout the world, alcohol misuse is associated with high rates of morbidity, mortality, and cooccurring physical and mental health problems. It causes an array of acute and chronic problems and contributes to extensive costs in every sector of society (e.g., health, mental health, education, legal, economic productivity). The scientific discovery, development, and implementation of evidence-informed solutions for alleviating alcohol-related problems are inherently multisectoral, as they affect individuals, families, communities, and larger social systems. The advent of new technologies, research approaches, and intervention strategies has dramatically accelerated positive results in addressing such problems over the past 40 years. Still, alcohol misuse remains a significant global problem, and reducing and preventing its consequences is a Grand Challenge for Social Work. This paper addresses the following points about the challenge: (1) it is large, important, and compelling; (2) it can be analyzed and assessed; (3) demonstrable progress can be made in a decade; (4) multisectoral collaboration is required to meet this challenge; and (5) sustainable solutions to the challenge require significant, transformative, and groundbreaking innovations.

Teaching Social Work Students About Alcohol and Other Drug Use Disorders: From Faculty Learning to Pedagogical Innovation

“…Leaders in social work have identified the reduction and prevention of AOD use disorders and their consequences as a grand challenge for social work in the 21 st century (Begun & Clapp, 2016). In response to this call and the pressing need to address the nation’s AOD challenges, we have developed and implemented the first year of an immersion faculty training program focused on providing clinical faculty with state-of-the-art training in AOD identification and treatment methods as well as training designed to increase faculty confidence in teaching social work students about AOD (see Lundgren et al ., 2018a).…”

Drug Use and Abuse Prevention Concerns in Rural Communities in Enugu State Nigeria

“…Alcohol and other drugs are well known causes of morbidity, mortality, and social damage around the world, and are considered an important component of the global burden of disease (WHO, 2014). Yet, there is an increasing rate of consumption in the last decade (Begun & Clapp, 2016). This is a challenge that requires multisectoral collaboration, sustainable solutions via significant, transformative, and groundbreaking innovations.…”

“…This is a challenge that requires multisectoral collaboration, sustainable solutions via significant, transformative, and groundbreaking innovations. Evidence-based community intervention and prevention efforts are necessary because effective integration of alcohol prevention and treatment strategies into routine practice requires significant "cultural" adaptations, particularly in community settings where social norms run counter to the aim of reducing alcohol misuse (Begun & Clapp, 2016;Holleran Steiker, Grahovac, & White, 2014).…”

Introduction to the Special Issue: Implementing the Grand Challenge of Reducing and Preventing Alcohol Misuse and Its Consequences

“…Social workers often use the term biopsychosocial to refer to this comprehensive approach. Sustainable solutions will require significant, transformative, and innovative strategies (Begun et al, 2016).…”