Abstract
Early-stage problem drinkers have received relatively little attention from either researchers or clinicians even though they are in the majority compared to those fitting diagnostic criteria for alcoholism or alcohol dependence. The reasons for their being ignored are many. Among them are the following:
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1.
There are no standard screening instruments or procedures for identifying early-stage problem drinkers.
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2.
“Either/or” thinking still dominates among professionals: “You are either an alcoholic or not.” The alternative, defining different degrees of alcohol dependency, is missing.
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3.
The general attitude towards alcoholics and problem drinkers is negative and stigmatizing. Many professionals are frustrated by these groups and pessimistic about their prognosis.
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4.
Most of the treatment centers for alcoholics are not attractive enough to the early-stage problem drinker because of their dependence on total abstinence as sole treatment goal.
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5.
Once identified and recruited, the practitioners’ competence to treat the problem drinker are, in many cases, not adequate. There is a need for special training programs for the professionals who would treat problem drinkers.
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© 1986 Plenum Press, New York
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Berg, G., Skutle, A. (1986). Early Intervention with Problem Drinkers. In: Miller, W.R., Heather, N. (eds) Treating Addictive Behaviors. Applied Clinical Psychology, vol 13. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2191-0_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2191-0_9
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