Counseling And Therapy With Clients Who Abuse Alcohol Or Other Drugs

Every day, huge numbers of people use drugs or alcohol for recreation, medication, celebration, stress management, social lubrication, or escape. The abuse of psychoactive chemicals touches individual lives in countless ways, and clients frequently hint in therapy sessions at problems related to substance misuse. But historically, substance abuse treatment has been regarded as a separate specialty, for which students and trainees often prepare along tracks different from those leading to licensing or certification as psychotherapists. Few non-specialists feel completely competent and willing to grapple closely with the issues these clients present, in spite of the fact that such problems are quite frequent among client populations. In this book, Cynthia Glidden-Tracey lays out an integrated, holistic, and effective approach to clients' inevitably intertwined problems, which encourages all practitioners to develop skills for detecting, assessing, and addressing substance use whenever concerns about it emerge in the course of therapy. She describes the frequent co-occurrence of substance misuse and other mental health problems, reviews therapy models and current professional questions, and empowers practitioners with the latest scientific knowledge about the causes and effective treatment of addictions. Throughout, her points are grounded in rich clinical examples.

Every day, huge numbers of people use drugs or alcohol for recreation, medication, celebration, stress management, social lubrication, or escape. The abuse of psychoactive chemicals touches individual lives in countless ways, and clients frequently hint in therapy sessions at problems related to substance misuse. But historically, substance abuse treatment has been regarded as a separate specialty, for which students and trainees often prepare along tracks different from those leading to licensing or certification as psychotherapists. Few non-specialists feel completely competent and willing to grapple closely with the issues these clients present, in spite of the fact that such problems are quite frequent among client populations. In this book, Cynthia Glidden-Tracey lays out an integrated, holistic, and effective approach to clients' inevitably intertwined problems, which encourages all practitioners to develop skills for detecting, assessing, and addressing substance use whenever concerns about it emerge in the course of therapy. She describes the frequent co-occurrence of substance misuse and other mental health problems, reviews therapy models and current professional questions, and empowers practitioners with the latest scientific knowledge about the causes and effective treatment of addictions. Throughout, her points are grounded in rich clinical examples.

Estimates indicate that as many as 1 in 4 Americans will experience a mental health problem or will misuse alcohol or drugs in their lifetimes. These disorders are among the most highly stigmatized health conditions in the United States, and they remain barriers to full participation in society in areas as basic as education, housing, and employment. Improving the lives of people with mental health and substance abuse disorders has been a priority in the United States for more than 50 years. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 is considered a major turning point in America's efforts to improve behavioral healthcare. It ushered in an era of optimism and hope and laid the groundwork for the consumer movement and new models of recovery. The consumer movement gave voice to people with mental and substance use disorders and brought their perspectives and experience into national discussions about mental health. However over the same 50-year period, positive change in American public attitudes and beliefs about mental and substance use disorders has lagged behind these advances. Stigma is a complex social phenomenon based on a relationship between an attribute and a stereotype that assigns undesirable labels, qualities, and behaviors to a person with that attribute. Labeled individuals are then socially devalued, which leads to inequality and discrimination. This report contributes to national efforts to understand and change attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that can lead to stigma and discrimination. Changing stigma in a lasting way will require coordinated efforts, which are based on the best possible evidence, supported at the national level with multiyear funding, and planned and implemented by an effective coalition of representative stakeholders. Ending Discrimination Against People with Mental and Substance Use Disorders: The Evidence for Stigma Change explores stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with mental or substance use disorders and recommends effective strategies for reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek treatment and other supportive services. It offers a set of conclusions and recommendations about successful stigma change strategies and the research needed to inform and evaluate these efforts in the United States.

This eminently practical guide presents an empirically supported approach for treating people with substance abuse problems and their spouses or domestic partners. Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) explicitly focuses on both substance use and relationship issues, and is readily compatible with 12-step approaches. Provided are all the materials needed to introduce BCT; implement a recovery contract to support abstinence; work with clients to increase positive activities, improve communication, and reduce relapse risks; and deal with special treatment challenges. Appendices include a session-by-session treatment manual and 70 reproducible checklists, forms, and client education posters. The large-size format and lay-flat binding facilitate photocopying and enhance the book's clinical utility.

"Providing a framework for treating substance use disorders (SUDs) in office-based psychotherapy, the second edition of this trusted work has been updated throughout and features two entirely new chapters. The authors show how clinicians from any background can leverage the therapeutic skills they already have to address clients' alcohol and drug problems competently and effectively. Vivid case examples demonstrate ways to engage clients at different stages of change; set collaborative treatment goals; address SUDs concurrently with other psychological problems; and interweave motivational, cognitive-behavioral, and other interventions, tailored to each individual's needs. Reproducible forms and handouts can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. Subject areas/key words: substance use disorders, SUDs, psychotherapists, counselors, counseling clients with, patients, addictions, addictive behavior, abuse, harm reduction, nonspecialists, treatments, practical guide, alcoholism, in recovery, drinking, and opioids. Clinical audience: clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, and psychiatric nurses"--