ABSTRACT
Alcohol education, like any other skill, will benefit from practice and workers using alcohol education regularly with clients and patients will find that the processes become absorbed rapidly into their everyday working routine. In coming to terms with his drinking, the drinker will find himself in a situation in which he is expected to confront his behaviour and the effect it has on others and to make decisions and act upon them. The worker’s role is to encourage and support rather than to take responsibility for any apparent ‘failures’ arising from attempts to change behaviour. If a client/patient has a different ethnic background, the worker should be sensitive to different religious and cultural beliefs and expectations. The worker should be aware of the possible influence of family members and friends on the drinker and his behaviour. The client/patient may see the health professional as a threat or as an outsider who has come to moralize or pass judgement or criticism.
