DIAGNOSIS OF ALCOHOLISM IN AN OUTPATIENT SETTING

The diagnostic perspectives of description and problem assessing shoul d be supplemented by regarding individual ressources and motivation fo r change. Thus, diagnostic procedures are oriented to coping and probl em solving more directly. That means, diagnostic measures and treatmen t are interrelated in many ways. Assessing problems should lead to mor e insight about consequences of alcohol abuse and strengthen motivatio n for change. Assessing ressources should reinforce successful coping strategies of the patient. The perspective of change is closely combin ed with developing concrete aims and ways to realize them. The total d iagnostic field of alcoholism is divided into different modules corres ponding to different life areas. Depending on the individual diagnosti c and therapeutic task some modules are assessed in a more differentia ted way than others. The model of change developed by Prochaska and Di Clemente, facilitates the regulating of expectations and aims of patie nts and therapists.