Using the Aod Cultural Framework to View Alcohol and Drug Issues Through Various Cultural Lenses

Abstract

This article elaborates a cultural framework for viewing alcohol and drug abuse which, if used as a teaching tool, can lead to increased cultural awareness among students. The framework helps educators to illustrate the powerful role of culture in shaping behaviors such as drinking and drug use and to focus on several cultures or ethnic groups simultaneously. The authors give examples of how the framework can be used to: discuss cases and clinical problems in the classroom; conduct classroom exercises comparing cultures and differences within cultures; structure student homework and paper assignments; and prepare course materials and lectures.