CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. School Bullying: What It Is and Why It Hurts
2. The Role of Bullies, Victims, and Witnesses
3. Factors Contributing to Bullying and Violence
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Treatment For Children and Adolescents
6. Prevention and Intervention
7. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Case Studies
Fact Sheets
References
Resources

The ABCs of Bullying
Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School Aggression

Alcohol Use Disorders (Mainly in Adolescents)

Most assessment and diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders (AUD) have been conducted on adults, as defined by the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). However, as more research is conducted on adolescents, there have been screening tools developed to help compensate for certain limitations. The DSM-IV describes two primary AUDs: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Adolescents tend to have alcohol abuse because they haven't had the time to develop a long-term dependence.

Alcohol abuse is a type of drinking that is accompanied by one or more of the following behaviors within a 12-month period:ref

• Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities.
• Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery.
• Recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested while under the influence of alcohol or physically hurting someone while drunk.
• Continuing to drink despite ongoing relationship problems caused or worsened by the effects of alcohol.

Alcohol dependence can include all of the signs of alcohol abuse, but is more serious. The person may be unable to stop or control his or her drinking, even after trying. He or she may exhibit tolerance of alcohol or show withdrawal symptoms with the absence of alcohol.ref This person is said to be addicted to alcohol.

DSM-IV is used by most professionals who work in addiction to help diagnose anxiety disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

In the DSM-IV, substance abuse is defined as "a maladaptive pattern of substance use characterized by hazardous or compulsive use or the presence of role impairment or recurrent legal problems, but without evidence of tolerance or withdrawal." Most people who meet the criteria for substance abuse eventually will meet the criteria for dependence if they continue to use (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).

Approximately 11 million youth in the United States under the age of 21 drink alcohol.ref Nearly half of them drink to excess, consuming five or more drinks in a row. This pattern of excessive underage drinking does not stop once the person reaches legal age. The pattern of alcohol abuse often continues into adulthood.