study of knowledge and Attitude of social works students toward alcohol abusers in Tehran

Introduction: In the past decades a fundamental change has taken place in the concept of addictive behaviors and is considered a complex behavior whit a variety of causes and aspects (biological, psychological, social, and legal, etc). Therefore, the best model for understanding, assessing and coping with the phenomenon is the bio-psychosocial approach. In this context, social work as a profession, dealing whit bio-psychosocial intervention, has a major role to play. Performing this role requires attitude, knowledge and experience in the field of alcohol abuse. But international studies show that the knowledge and experience of Professionals, particularly social workers in this area is minimal. Objective: The present study investigates the attitudes, knowledge and experience of social work students toward alcohol abusers in Tehran. Method: This study is a descriptive study. A standard questionnaire developed at Rutgers University, School of Social Work and the Center of Substance Abuse which assessed beliefs and knowledge concerning substance abuse was used. The instrument assessed: 1) personal experiences and feeling about addicted clients; 2) attitudes and beliefs concerning the etiology and treatment of addictions;3)knowledge of legal issues; and 4) basic knowledge regarding the prevalence of substance abuse, medical complications, research, and treatment issues. Participants in this study were all final year undergraduate and postgraduate social work students in Tehran who were present in their university at the time of research. Results: significant findings were: a) these students had low levels of knowledge about alcoholism as measured on the Alcohol Knowledge Scale (AKS), b) and professional experiences, not personal ones, shape their knowledge. Conclusion: Due to the growing alcohol abuse and the important role of social workers in the prevention and treatment of improper behavioral habits, offering study credits relevant to drug abuse and organizing training courses to familiarize them with the addictive, their effects, prevention and treatment methods as well as the experience of working with drug abusers and their families for social work students play a necessary and crucial role in shaping their experience and knowledge.

Alcohol abuse, Attitude, bio-psychosocial approach, Knowledge, Social work