Counselling for Alcohol Problems

'This is a most welcome and timely Second Edition of this popular and helpful book. Areas that have been updated include the latest thinking on drinking guidelines, on medical interventions (including further information in therapeutic drugs and on the treatment of withdrawal symptoms), on evidence-based practice, especially that resulting from the Project MATCH study in the USA, and how some forms of coping by family members with drinking relatives may be most effective. Overall, anyone wanting an understanding of the world of alcohol problems and the application of counselling in this area (particularly motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural approaches) will find this book valuable' - Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal '...there is much in this book which will prove useful for both the social worker and the social work student who wishes to acquire practice advice and information that draws upon the most relevant and recent research - especially in relation to work with the individual problem drinker and families' - British Journal of Social Work 'Richard Velleman writes with the voice of an experienced clinician, his ear keenly tuned both to his clients and the counsellors who see them.
His premises are deceptively simple, but reflect both the clinician's compassion and the scientist's reason: people drink for reasons and the clinician's challenge is to understand those reasons; each client is unique and should be treated that way; no one treatment fits all clients; empower clients to change; use skills and knowledge from research. Behind each principle is a depth of wisdom plus practical advice about how to put each premise into practice. 'Novices and experienced counsellors alike with find here new ideas and perspectives that should help their clients and enrich their counselling' - Barbara S McCrady, Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University Counselling for Alcohol Problems, Second Edition is a highly practical guide to the steps which counsellors can take on a day-to-day basis to help those who have problems with their use of alcohol. It is the key book recommended by the National Alcohol Training Strategy for training counsellors to work with people with alcohol problems.An acclaimed text, Counselling for Alcohol Problems provides clear guidance for counsellors and demonstrates the need to treat every client as an individual, attempting to understand and hence enable the client to understand, what they are doing and why.
This Second Edition has been thoroughly revised, and now contains an additional chapter on working with people who also have mental health difficulties, as well as up-to-date information about new drug treatments and withdrawal relief methods, drinking guidelines, and evidence-based approaches, especially the results of Project MATCH. Other important topics also examined include relapse prevention, and working with family members of those with alcohol-related problems. Backed up with detailed case studies and useful resource material, the Second Edition of this best-selling text will continue to be invaluable for all practitioners, both those specializing in work with alcohol misusers and those who encounter problem drinkers in the context of a more general counselling practice.