| Brief Interventions Help Heavy Drinkers and Alcoholics | | | | months, although one recent study reported sustained |
| This research supports what I have known and | | | | reductions in alcohol use over 48 months." |
| practiced for many, many years with clients in my | | | | The guide stated further that repeated, brief |
| private addiction alternatives practice: | | | | interventions were also effective with |
| Brief interventions -- either in person or by telephone -- | | | | alcohol-dependent drinkers. |
| are a very powerful and effective way to help people | | | | In my own practice, clients often come to me |
| reduce their intake of alcohol or drugs to a more | | | | confused and frustrated. They have been preached to |
| responsible level, and even quit completely. | | | | by everyone they know and love. They have been |
| Recently the National Institute of Alcoholism and | | | | told that A.A. or N.A. and a lifetime of abstinence is the |
| Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) published a 32-page guide, | | | | only road to happiness. |
| "Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much," to help health | | | | Yet, in truth, many of them don't want to quit their |
| care practitioners identify and take care of heavy | | | | substance of choice; they just want to reduce their |
| drinkers and alcoholics. This is an excerpt from their | | | | usage to a level where it doesn't cause problems in |
| guide: | | | | their life. This is called "harm reduction." And this is |
| "Randomized, controlled clinical trials in a variety of | | | | exactly what the National Institute of Alcoholism and |
| populations and settings have shown that brief | | | | Alcohol Abuse is talking about. |
| interventions can decrease alcohol use significantly | | | | As a long-time proponent of the "brief interventions" |
| among people who drink above the recommended | | | | style of therapy and "harm reduction" as a legitimate |
| limits but are not dependent. | | | | behavior goal for my clients, I am encouraged more |
| "Studies have found reductions of up to 30% in | | | | every day by the growing clinical evidence that |
| consumption and binge drinking over 12 months, as well | | | | supports this alternative treatment option in this |
| as significant decreases in blood pressure readings. | | | | "12-step" world. |
| Follow-up periods typically range from six to 24 | | | | |