INTERVENTION BY THE CLINICIAN TO MOTIVATE THE ALCOHOLIC

The alcoholic patient often cannot recognise his disorder and accept the need for treatment because of his own profound denial. Enabling behaviour by family, friends, fellow workers and medical practitioners, which covers up the alcoholism, often delays recovery. Clinicians can help the alcoholic patient by confronting him with his early behavioural changes and later organic findings indicating alcoholism. Where the alcoholic consistently refuses treatment, concerned persons can be helped by instruction about the illness. A planned intervention can serve to break down the alcoholic's denial and prevent progression of his alcohol‐induced problems. This paper details the elements of confrontation and intervention with special reference to pre‐intervention training of concerning people.