Treating the chemically dependent lesbian : a survey

The purpose of the study was to survey workers inthe Knoxville, Tennessee, area who provide services tochemically dependent lesbians. A questionnaire was usedto obtain information concerning demographic backgroundof the workers, the types of services provided to theirclients, the environmental and other factors which influencethe type of services provided, and the amount of specializedtraining received by each worker in the field of chemicaldependency in relation to specific issues and concernsof lesbians. The questionnaire was sent to 100 workersin the Knoxville area who treated chemically dependentclients or had a number of lesbian clients in theircaseload. Fifty-three responses were obtained and all wereutilized for the purpose of this study. The data obtainedfrom the questionnaire were tabulated and analyzed.Notable differences were found among workers in theuse of and provision of tangible and counseling services.Tangible services were used more frequently and with morevariety by agency workers when providing services tochemically dependent clients in general than when theywere treating chemically dependent lesbians. Tangibleservices were used almost exclusively by agency workersin combination with counseling services. Private111IVpractitioners utilized counseling services almostexclusively.No significant demographic factors were found toinfluence utilization of services. Agency policy andsource of revenue did appear to influence both serviceavailability and use of services.There also appear to be a significant number ofworkers who have had some specialized training in the areasof chemical dependency and lesbians. However, stereotypedattitudes still prevailed in agency workers and were notseen with those workers who were in private practice.