Problems associated with alcohol consumption among young people are reviewed from an integrated biopsychosocial model. It is argued that young people drink differently from older people, and that traditional models of addiction and treatment work better with older populations than with younger ones. Social, psychological and biological factors associated with development and remission of young people's drinking are reviewed. Suggestions for approaches to early interventions are developed.

Twenty-two subjects diagnosed as having an occupationally related injury to the connective tissues, joints or muscles of the hands, arms, neck, shoulders or upper back were included in an experimental study which investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural and movement-retraining program for reducing anxiety, depression, pain and disruption of activities by pain. Group and single case analyses indicated that the intervention program was associated with reductions in pain and the extent to which pain disrupted activities of daily living for some subjects, but program effects did not maintain over time.

Three adults with haemophilia participated in a study designed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural techniques in the alleviation of chronic arthritic pain. The intervention comprised cognitive-coping skills, primarily relaxation training and guided imagery techniques, as well as identifying and altering antecedents and consequences that may have influenced their pain experience. The dependent measures included visual analogue rating scales, the Arthritis Impact Measurements Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and pedometer readings. All three men showed significant reductions in pain, which were largely maintained at six-month follow-up. This study supports earlier findings with this population, and highlights the importance of monitoring the implementation of independent measures.

The client, Susan, was a 25-year-old woman who had been engaging in checking rituals and repeating actions for at least five years. Staff, psychology students, high school volunteers and members of the client's family acted as observers and behaviour change agents. Data were collected daily, for up to 16 hours, over a 14-month period. The two major dependent variables comprised the number of rituals and the total time required to complete specific tasks. The major independent variable (response prevention) was also monitored. The results suggest that response prevention reduced the number of rituals and the time required to complete tasks and these changes were maintained at three months follow-up. In addition, a number of daily activities increased. The advantages and disadvantages of carrying out an intensive intervention within a community-based rehabilitation setting are discussed.

Evaluation of a self-help smoking cessation program indicated it to be moderately successful in helping community members to reduce smoking. However, there was no relationship between success and the extent to which components of the program had been used; nor did locus of control or self-efficacy predict success. Further, several participants decided to become controlled smokers, an alternative which was not included in the program. These findings suggest that users of self-help materials take an active role in selection and modifying components of such programs. A clearer idea of what people actually do with the materials supplied would provide a better understanding of the process of change and assist researchers in the development of effective programs.