Abstract
For many clients with substance abuse disorders, it can be difficult to be successful in treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine if social work students had different perceptions about a client’s ability to stop drinking based on severity of the drinking problem. This quantitative survey research study investigated the perceptions of 62 social work students. The sampling method was a non-probability quota sample. Social work students did tend to believe that a person with a drinking problem that created behavioral problems was less likely to quit drinking than clients who appeared to have a less severe drinking problem. Chi square tests were significant in the association between moderate drinking problem severity and ability to stop drinking. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.