THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE - RETHINKING ALCOHOL-ABUSE

Nurses usually conceptualize alcohol abuse and dependence as a progres sive disease that can be managed but never cured. Yet there are millio ns of Americans for whom this approach is not helpful. Impressive resu lts have been reported by the alcohol research community with interven tions that are guided by the assumption that many alcohol problems are learned habits that can be changed. This article reviews the clinical research in the area of brief interventions and moderation training w ith alcohol abusers. Nursing's vital role in advocating for and delive ring such interventions is identified. Resistance to implementing alte rnative approaches for the treatment of alcohol problems is explored. Copyright (C) 1994 by W.B. Saunders Company