Treating Alcohol Dependence: A Coping Skills Training Guide
Author: Peter M Monti Phd
Now in a revised and expanded second edition, this book presents a straightforward, multi-session coping skills training program that has been proven effective in helping alcohol-dependent individuals. The volume provides everything needed to implement the program, including a clear theoretical and empirical rationale, step-by-step session guidelines, helpful clinical pointers, and over 40 reproducible client handouts, assessment instruments, and therapist forms. Sessions focus on developing key interpersonal and intrapersonal skills to help participants learn positive strategies for coping with the everyday demands of life and resisting the urge to drink. Updated throughout to reflect current ideas and research findings on addictive behavior change, the protocols in the second edition have been reorganized and streamlined for greater applicability in today's managed care settings. Two entirely new chapters provide guidelines for conducting cue exposure treatment and addressing dual diagnosis issues, with particular attention to tobacco dependence. Of special value for practitioners, the new 8 ½" x 11" format makes it easier than ever to reproduce and use the practical materials in the book.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, Psy.D. (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This is a detailed coping skills training guide for addressing alcohol dependent clients. It includes training to deal with interpersonal skills, intrapersonal skills, and coping with urges. This second edition addresses changes in the field including health maintenance organizations, pharmacological treatments for alcohol dependence, motivation enhancement strategies which prepare clients for change, and dual-diagnosis. The first edition was published in 1989.
Purpose: According to the authors, the book presents a cognitive-social learning perspective on alcohol abuse and dependence. The authors believe that clients who learn a variety of alternative coping techniques to address the demands of everyday living will be better able to resist alcohol. These are worthy objectives because so many people suffer from alcoholism and treatment in 28 day programs is becoming less and less common. The book meets the author's objectives.
Audience: The authors do not specifically say whom the target audience is but it is obvious that it is written for the practitioner who treats alcohol-dependent individuals. I believe that the book is a pragmatic guide for the practitioner in the field. The authors are credible authorities.
Features: This book is a skills training manual for treating alcohol-dependent individuals. The skills are thoroughly described including rationale, modeling, role play, and practice exercise. The book helps the practitioner to teach practical coping skills to the client. It is very readable and covers a wide variety of areas within interpersonal, intrapersonal, and urge coping domains.
Assessment: The book is excellent because it is a step-by-step training guide. It would be of great help for the novice therapist but has enough ideas for even the most seasoned veteran. This second edition does justify replacing the previous edition given that the first one was published over a decade ago and that there are new issues which have arisen. The influence of managed care, reduction of 28-day programs, pharmacological treatment strategies, and dual diagnosis concerns are variables which have influenced the way we do our work.
Booknews
Provides session-by-session instructions for therapists who wish to apply a coping skills training approach to the treatment of alcohol dependence. Skills for coping with specific drinking triggers, communicating effectively, and making general lifestyle modifications are outlined. The second edition adds guidelines for conducting cue exposure treatment and addressing dual diagnosis issues. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Booknews
Presents the Brown University/Providence VA treatment program for addictive behaviors. The principles are presented in specific step-by- step detail. Cloth edition ($35.00) not seen. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Rating
5 Stars! from Doody
Book review: Mastery of the Financial Accounting Research System or Exchange Rate Misalignment
Good Death: Challenges, Choices and Care Options
Author: Charles Meyer
If you could choose how you want to die, what would you want most to make it more comfortable? Based on his experience as a chaplain and on a survey of people in workshops across the country, Meyers lists four top choices: quick, painless, at home, and with family around.
But as the author points out so clearly, these are not what most seriously ill people experience. He takes a good hard look at present practices and the alternatives. A change of mentality is needed, Meyers asserts; we need to get away from thinking that if we have the technology, we are required to use it (what he calls the technological imperative). We need to relearn how to die naturally. We can choose.
In a very practical presentation that offers clear and concise explanations of terms, situations, and options, the author maintains that patients with a terminal illness have the right to choose comfort care over aggressive care. Individuals and families need to plan ahead, to make provisions for good deathcare and a good death. "Everything should be aimed at meeting the patient's definition of comfort, dignity, safety, and quality.
Specific topics include: changes that have taken place in healthcare; facts, terminology, and myths about how we die; alternatives such as hospice and home care, and complementary medicine; euthanasia: "obviating the need"; the role of spirituality; and concrete steps to take to assure, as far as possible, a good death.
Ideal for all who are engaged in pastoral care and ministry to the sick, especially chaplains and hospital staff, hospices, retirement/healthcare homes; social workers; lay visitors; and family members of persons in a terminal condition. Recommended reading foranyone who wants or needs information on this important topic.
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