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.
Acknowledgements. Preface. Part I: A Guide to Understanding the Client Group and an Outline of the Theoretical Model. 1. What Distinguishes this Client Group? 2. Where to Begin? Alcohol and Identity - am I an 'alcoholic'? 3. Reasons for Drinking - Alcohol and Paradox. 4. A Non-directive Approach - Abstinence or Moderation? Part II: The Therapeutic Process - a Linear Description. 5. First Session/Assessment. 6. Working with Types and Patterns of Drinking. 7. Addressing the Problem - Alcohol and the Hierarchy of Needs. 8. Detoxification (Detox). 9. After the Drinking Ceases/Working with Relapse. 10. Endings. 11. Self Care and the Therapist. Part III: Working with Complex Needs/Dual Diagnosis. 12. Dementia and Alcohol. 13. Depression and Alcohol. 14. Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol. Index.
Mike Fox and Lesley Wilson have created an invaluable practical guide, highlighting specific issues for working with older people with alcohol problems. The art of counselling takes many forms: this thoughtful and readable book will inspire and inform people involved in this field, from the briefest encounters to the deepest transformative processes. The detailed case stories throughout the book offer a rare and rich insight into the effectiveness of counselling and the beneficial impact for all involved. Practitioners will recognise and reflect on the accurate portrayals of the context for their work, and people new to the field will gain access to a wealth of information and ideas for practice.
