Date of Conferral

1-19-2026

Date of Award

January 2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Julibeth Lauren

Abstract

Summary I conducted this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project to improve knowledge and clinical practice among mental health professionals. The problem identified at the project site was the limited awareness and use of Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) assessments in treating alcoholism. The practice focused question for this project was: Will educating staff on how ACE scores can improve treatment of alcoholism increase staff knowledge regarding the importance of assessing ACE scores to decrease relapse rates? The purpose of this doctoral project was to evaluate if an educational intervention can enhance staff understanding of the connection between ACEs and alcoholism for more effective treatment strategies. This issue was identified through staff feedback revealing inconsistent use and understanding of ACE assessments and how trauma contributes to alcoholism and relapse. Evidence supports that individuals with higher ACE scores are more prone to relapse, and positive experiences may buffer the negative impacts of ACEs, reinforcing the importance of addressing trauma in recovery. The results showed that education on ACEs and alcoholism improved staff knowledge, with post-assessment scores reaching 100%. The project strengthened trauma-informed care practices and promoted more effective treatment for alcoholism. Continued ACE education is recommended to sustain staff competency and positively impact social change through compassionate, culturally sensitive care.

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