Counselling Older People With Alcohol Problems

by Fox, Mike; Wilson, Lesley; Blanchard, Martin

• ISBN13: 9781849051170
• ISBN10: 1849051178
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-15
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub

Summary

Alcohol misuse is becoming an increasingly significant issue for people aged 55 and over, and providing effective counselling services to this growing client group requires a unique and specialised approach. This practical guide explores the factors that differentiate older drinkers and introduces an innovative person-centred model that will help counsellors and other healthcare professionals to give older people with alcohol problems the support they need. Older people with alcohol problems often have complex personal histories, and are particularly vulnerable to long-term dependency, social isolation and self-medication. This book explores the influences, patterns and triggers that affect the development and progression of alcohol dependency in this age group, and provides a detailed description of a theoretical model and therapeutic process that has proved successful in practice. Informative case studies demonstrate the approach in action and guidance is also given for working with clients with dementia or mental health problems. This book will prove an invaluable resource for counsellors and other healthcare professionals who encounter alcohol problems in their clinical practice, including clinical psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and community psychiatric nurses.

Author Biography

Mike Fox is Senior Practitioner and manager of the Older Person's Service in an alcohol agency in North London. He also works as Lead Clinician for Dementia at another counselling service in the same area. Lesley Wilson in currently a lecturer and course leader in occupational therapy. Prior to this she was a practising occupational therapist and has many years' experience of working with older people, both in the NHS and in the community.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. 9
Foreword	p. 11
Preface	p. 15
A Guide to Understanding the Client Group and an Outline of the Theoretical Model	p. 17
What Distinguishes This Client Group?	p. 19
Where to Begin? Alcohol and Identity: Am I an 'Alcoholic'?	p. 23
Reasons for Drinking: Alcohol and Paradox	p. 31
A Non-directive Approach: Abstinence or Moderation?	p. 43
The Therapeutic Process: A Linear Description	p. 47
First Session/Assessment	p. 49
Working with Types and Patterns of Drinking	p. 59
Addressing the Problem: Alcohol and the Hierarchy of Needs	p. 75
Detoxification (Detox)	p. 93
After the Drinking Ceases/Working with Relapse	p. 107
Endings	p. 127
Self Care and the Therapist	p. 137
Working with Complex Needs/Dual Diagnosis	p. 149
Dementia and Alcohol	p. 151
Depression and Alcohol	p. 163
Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol	p. 179
Appendix: Exercises	p. 193
References	p. 199
Index	p. 201
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.