Richmond & Wandsworth Blue Light Training Course - Working with Change Resistant Dependent Drinkers

At any one time the majority of problem drinkers are not engaged in services, and of those who do engage approximately 50% will quickly drop out. Specialist alcohol services have traditionally worked with people who are motivated to change. However, research evidence suggests that those who drop out are likely to be among the most risky or vulnerable individuals in the community.

Richmond and Wandsworth public health team have asked Alcohol Change UK to deliver a series of one day course on working with high impact problem drinkers. Please note this couse is for staff who work in or who serve Wandsworth and Richmond.

In every community, there will be a group of several thousand dependent drinkers. Within that group, there will be a smaller group of problem drinkers who are unwilling or unable to change and who are placing a significant burden on the community.

Alcohol Change UK has estimated that there are at least 250 high impact, change resistant problem drinkers in typical London borough and they will impose a cost burden on public services of at least £12 million per

This course will help participants:

• To work more effectively with change resistant drinkers.

Training Objectives

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Identify change resistant clients who need to be targeted;

• Understand the rationale for attempting to intervene with this client group;

• Understand in greater detail the physical and psychological effects of alcohol

• Be able to use the “assessing barriers to change” framework;

• Understand the range of techniques available for use with this group including risk management, nutrition and harm reduction approaches;

• Be able to use the 12 questions tool

• Understand the legal powers available to manage this client group including the new anti-social framework

• Formulate a realistic intervention plan for a treatment resistant drinker.