ABSTRACT
Professional workers often feel uncomfortable about discussing a client’s drinking behaviour and feel that they are trespassing in a private area that does not concern them. In 1951, the World Health Organization set up an expert committee to consider the alcohol issue and to produce a definition of alcoholism. Educating people about alcohol is different from educating them about philosophy or teaching them how to ride a bike. Over the last ten years, increasing recognition has been given to the potential of many health and welfare professionals to become involved and play a role in alcohol education. Probation officers, social workers, and youth and community workers are able to build a long-term, working relationship with some clients and establish the trust and rapport needed to explore personal or emotive issues.
