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Women substance abusers experience severe cases of attachment dysfunction with a high risk of having destructive emotional and behavioral responses. Two intermixed groups of African-American and Latino women between the ages of 18-50: one group housed in a residential treatment program and a second group in non-clinical aftercare. There was a comparison between two groups of African-American and Latino women in two treatment modalities to determine whether they demonstrated the presence of attachment disorders. Using behavioral measuring instruments and demographic data, the researcher was able to build a composite profile and analyze what these portraits meant for treatment. The goal was to identify these variables and to determine whether contribution to the struggles evinced in the behaviors of women substance abusers. The ultimate goal was to make recommendations for modifying treatment to include attachment disorder counseling.

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Sandra R. Lackings, Ph.D., a graduate of Union Institute and University presently works with women who has a co-occurring disorder in a residential facility. A former faculty member at Union Institute and University Undergraduate Program and Florida Memorial University School of Social Science, where she taught social work courses.

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