The last three decades have seen an explosion of social, psychological and clinical research to identify effective strategies to prevent and treat alcohol-related problems. This “Essential Handbook” contains an updated selection of reviews of “what works” drawn from the critically acclaimed International Handbook of Alcohol Dependence and Problems. Selected specifically for health and other professionals, who need to provide effective responses in their work, these authoritative, science-based reviews are a distillation of the more practical elements, designed to save time for the busy practitioner.

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

In the 1980s the study of alcoholism was in a period of rapid change, this book, originally published in 1985, identifies and explores the three most controversial contemporary issues: changes at the basic explanatory level in our concept of harmful drinking; the undermining of our confidence that drinking behaviour can be effectively modified in the traditional context of ‘treatment’; and the changes in our concept of the effective prevention of harmful drinking. The authors of the book came from a variety of backgrounds, but all were members of the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group. They broadly reject the disease concept of alcoholism, but, as this volume shows, there is still scope for vigorous debate and this book should have something of interest for all concerned with problems of alcoholism.

"The accomplished author team of Reid Hester and William Miller provides a comprehensive, results-based guide to alcohol treatment methods. Along with the contributions of notable practitioners if the field, this text serves as an aid to graduate students and professionals. The authors stress the necessity of choosing different treatment protocols based on scientific research and a client's needs. This text also offers an up-to-date review of the treatment outcome literature, which illustrates that there are a number of treatments that are consistently supported by research. The subsequent chapters provide mini-treatment manuals for approaches with the most scientific support, with sections on matching clients to particular treatment and descriptions on how to utilize each particular treatment plan. The authors have consolidated the information necessary to develop individualized, multidimensional treatment that can meet the needs of a diverse client population."--Back cover.

The second edition of this book takes the view that the family, not just the alcoholic member, is the client. This approach is now well accepted in psychological circles. Family therapists and students can use this book to learn about substance abuse from a systemic viewpoint and chemical dependency counsellors will learn about family systems thinking and theory. The thoroughly revised book has additional models of evaluation, new models of treatment, ten years of research results, and updated references.

Focusing on alcohol dependence and alcohol-related problems in general, as well as their causes, treatment and prevention, this handbook also addresses the basic mechanisms of alcohol and its effects on human physiology and behaviour.