Judith Harwin

In the 1970s family doctors, social workers, researchers and administrators had been aware of the inadequacy of the response to drinking problems for some time. However, there had been no systematic examination of why such agents felt negatively about drinkers and disinclined to respond to them. Originally published in 1978, this book develops a radical new perspective on the prevalence and causes of drinking problems, combining reviews of historical and contemporary literature with the authors’ own research studies. This perspective is then linked to the need for an integrated response from both medical and social services, with a particular accent on the need for a community response. By focusing on the relationship between helper and helped a solution is sought to the question which has troubled the field for many years: why are agents like family doctors and social workers so inadequate in recognising and responding to people with drinking problems? The crucial aspects within the therapeutic relationship are pinpointed and experimental studies are described which show how training, casework, supervision and the redeployment of expertise can help improve recognition rates and responses to individual drinkers. This book thus expresses the need for major changes both in our attitudes and understanding of people with drinking problems and the difficulties of agents who try to help them. It should still be of historical interest to social scientists and those involved in helping people with drinking problems.

In the 1970s family doctors, social workers, researchers and administrators had been aware of the inadequacy of the response to drinking problems for some time. However, there had been no systematic examination of why such agents felt negatively about drinkers and disinclined to respond to them. Originally published in 1978, this book develops a radical new perspective on the prevalence and causes of drinking problems, combining reviews of historical and contemporary literature with the authors’ own research studies. This perspective is then linked to the need for an integrated response from both medical and social services, with a particular accent on the need for a community response. By focusing on the relationship between helper and helped a solution is sought to the question which has troubled the field for many years: why are agents like family doctors and social workers so inadequate in recognising and responding to people with drinking problems? The crucial aspects within the therapeutic relationship are pinpointed and experimental studies are described which show how training, casework, supervision and the redeployment of expertise can help improve recognition rates and responses to individual drinkers. This book thus expresses the need for major changes both in our attitudes and understanding of people with drinking problems and the difficulties of agents who try to help them. It should still be of historical interest to social scientists and those involved in helping people with drinking problems.

This book presents original research outlining the key elements in responding to parental misuse of drugs and alcohol. Offers a definition of “misuse” and “addiction” and the factors that influence the nature of misuse or addictionReviews extensively the nature and impact of parental substance misuse on children and families using the latest evidenceExplores how research and theories might help inform professionals or non-professionals assessing families affected by parents who misuse drugs or alcoholProvides an in-depth discussion of Motivational Interviewing, including a critical discussion of the challenges and limitations involved in using it in child and family settingsConsiders the wider implications of the findings for practice and policy and argues that these responses can be used across the field of work with vulnerable children and their families

This book presents original research outlining the key elements in responding to parental misuse of drugs and alcohol. Offers a definition of “misuse” and “addiction” and the factors that influence the nature of misuse or addictionReviews extensively the nature and impact of parental substance misuse on children and families using the latest evidenceExplores how research and theories might help inform professionals or non-professionals assessing families affected by parents who misuse drugs or alcoholProvides an in-depth discussion of Motivational Interviewing, including a critical discussion of the challenges and limitations involved in using it in child and family settingsConsiders the wider implications of the findings for practice and policy and argues that these responses can be used across the field of work with vulnerable children and their families