Encyclopedic Handbook Of Alcoholism

First published in 1988, behavioural family therapists worked in an area that had greatly changed since its inception over 20 years before. Growing out of the pioneering work of Gerald Patterson, Robert Paul Liberman, and Richard Stuart, whose backgrounds vary from psychology to psychiatry to social work, behavioural family therapy (BFT) had evolved to encompass systems theory, considerations of the therapeutic alliance, as well as approaches to accounting for and restructuring family members’ subjective experiences through cognitive strategies. As BFT had not been the ‘brain child’ of any one charismatic innovator, but rather of a wide array of clinicians and researchers developing and rigorously testing hypotheses, it is fitting that this much-needed summation of the field was a collaborative product of an array of well-established practitioners of the time. They discuss in Part 1 of the book the theoretical parameters of BFT, focusing on modular behavioural strategies, the indications for therapy, assessment of family problems, pertinent issues arising in clinical practice, and approaches to the problem of resistance to change. Contributors to Part 2 then apply theory to such clinical situations as ‘parent training’ and helping families cope with patients suffering from developmental disabilities, alcoholism, schizophrenia, senile dementia, as well as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and depressive disorders. Specific attention is also given to acute inpatient and primary health-care settings. While BFT had already proved quite effective in treating a great number of family problems, it was only in its infancy at the time of writing. As Falloon says in his overview ‘all exponents of the method are constantly involved with the process of refinement, each clinician is a researcher, each family member is a research subject, and each researcher is contributing to clinical advancement.’ This openness, in combination with a willingness to modify ‘sacred’ tenets of behaviourism while adapting proven techniques from other family therapies, made this title a landmark in its field. As such, it was not only of interest to all clinicians and researchers with a behavioural slant, but also to all family therapists who wished to challenge themselves to develop an integrative approach.

The Importance of Measuring Alcohol Consumption To date, alcohol studies have attended far more to issues of alco hol dependence and the harmful consequences of drinking than to the level of alcohol consumption itself. This is, perhaps, not surprising since dependence on alcohol is believed to constitute a meaningful and distinct medical syndrome, regardless of the level of alcohol consumption associated with it (Edwards and Gross, 1976). Also, of society is generally more concerned with the adverse consequences drinking (e. g. , traffic fatalities, homelessness, health care and legal expenses, and academiclbehavioral problems in young drinkers), than with the quantity of alcohol actually consumed. Nevertheless, accurate assessment of alcohol usage is important in its own right in at least four contexts: 1. Evaluating the effectiveness of alcoholism and alcohol abuse treatment and prevention efforts. Such efforts include both applied evaluations of existing programs and formal, well-controlled efficacy studies on experimental interventions. These investigations require rigorous methodologies to assess outcomes precisely and contrast what may be quite subtle differences between programs and between pre treatment and posttreatment outcomes. Although these studies are usually characterized by the employment of multiple measures of success-including general improvements in social and physical functioning, reduction in degree of dependence, and resolution of problems directly resultant from drinking-it is by their assessment of changes in drinking behavior that they are potentially able to achieve the highest level of objectivity and exactitude.

Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychotherapy: A Series of Monographs, Texts, and Treatises: Treatment and Prevention of Alcohol Problems: A Resource Manual focuses on the application of information gained through clinical experience and research in the treatment and prevention of alcohol problems. The selection first offers information on an overview of treatment and prevention of alcohol problems; beginning treatment for alcohol problems; and assessment of multiple conditions in persons with alcohol problems. Discussions focus on multiple-condition concepts and measures, therapeutic relationship, treatment contacts, dealing with associated problems and special populations, early intervention and prevention, and treatment techniques. The text then elaborates on the medical aspects of alcoholism, behavioral treatment of alcohol problems, and building self-confidence, self- efficacy, and self-control. The publication takes a look at imagery and logotherapeutic techniques in psychotherapy and self-help groups and other group procedures for treating alcohol problems, including historical development of group procedures, logotherapy and treatment for alcoholism, and imagery methods and treatment for alcoholism. The manuscript also examines the prevention of alcohol problems and the theory and methods for secondary prevention of alcohol problems. The selection is a dependable source of data for researchers interested in the treatment and prevention of alcohol problems. A resource manual for the treatment and prevention of alcohol problems The contributors represent the major innovators in the field Covered in detail are: initiating treatment, specific treatment techniques, associated problems and special populations, early intervention and prevention

Here is a wealth of information on helping black alcoholics and their families. Authorities discuss the policies, programs, and personnel that are needed to sensitively and effectively meet the treatment needs of black alcoholics. In a clear and concise look at the devastating disease of alcoholism, they focus on the physical, psychological, social, economic, and spiritual dimensions of the effects of the disease on blacks. Each chapter responds to these concerns and provides treatment models, recommendations, and information about treating black alcoholics. This is an informative and highly practical book for professionals in alcohol-specific agencies, mental health centers, family services, and child care agencies, as well as for administrators of treatment programs, students, and those who allocate funds for services.

From the President of the Research Society on Alcoholism This annual book series is a valuable resource for the alcoholism field, because it provides critical and timely reviews of selected areas that have interest to both practitioners and researchers. It tries to achieve a balance between psy chosocial and biomedical topics and between research and patient-care activ ities. Such a mix is offered in Volume 6. The Research Society on Alcoholism whose membership embraces researchers from all disciplines that study the etiology, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related disa bilities-regards the support and sponsorship of this book series as one of its major missions. Ting-Kai Li, M. D. President, Research Society on Alcoholism From the President of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies The broadening scope of clinical and scientific interest in alcohol dependence is reflected in this sixth volume of Recent Developments in Alcoholism. It offers valuable reviews on important current issues in the field, namely, the inter twining of nature and nurture, a continuing search for predictors and indi cators of the disease, and the social impact of alcoholism on the job and in special populations. This material should pique the interest of clinicians from all disciplines. Medical, social, and political planners also need to turn to the expanding body of knowledge in the field of chemical dependence reflected here. The volume is therefore of value to a contemporary readership and to those who will turn to it in future years.