Overview

This book is based on the authors' more than two decades of research, which has established that problem drinkers people who have identifiable life difficulties because of their drinking, but who, unlike alcoholics, are not severely dependent on alcohol can often work through their own difficulties with alcohol if sufficiently motivated and supervised. The book outlines an effective program that gives clients a structure for evaluating and understanding their drinking problem, choosing their treatment goals, and deciding exactly how they will change their behavior in order to help themselves. Illustrated with numerous case examples, this unusually ractical text also features handouts that can be photocopied for clients. This book is suitable for professionals treating people with alcohol problems, as well as researchers and students in mental health. Also serves as a text in advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses in addictions counseling and treatment.

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9781572301214

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Reviews

Many treatment programs for alcohol problems take an authoritarian approach prescribing what clients 'must' do and seeking in various ways to control, coerce, or convert them. The Sobells offer clinicians a fresh approach that is more in tune both with current research on how people really change and with the return in this field toward a more client-centered view of treatment. Their work is also important because it addresses the largest and yet most ignored group of problem drinkers: those with little or no dependence, yet serious risk and consequences. Such individuals often seek treatment reluctantly or indirectly, if at all, and are most likely to be identified in the course of treating other health and psychological problems. They are unlikely to seek or accept traditional 'chemical dependency' counseling, yet are important candidates for early intervention. The Sobells provide clear guidelines to ad dress alcohol problems in this group. THis is not another new 'cure.' Its elements are, in fact, rooted in decades of familiar psychological theory and research. The message is that problem drinkers are not members of a different species, and that--for them as for all people--well-applied fundamental psychological principles of motivation, self-control, and empathic respect can form the foundation of effective change. --William R. Miller, Ph.D., University of New Mexico <br> <br> Recent research confirms that the burdens placed upon society by alcohol problems arise not so much from the relatively small number of persons with severe problems as they do from the very much larger group of persons with less severe problems, the problem drinkers. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of treatment approaches for problem drinkers. In this book the doctors Sobell describe in gratifying detail an empirically based and carefully considered treatment for this group, guided self-change treatment, that they have shown to be effective. So generously have they shared their knowledge and experience that clinicians will be able to implement the treatment in their own settings. Broadening the therapeutic spectrum to deal with a critical group of individuals previously left to fend for themselves constitutes a major advance in treatment in our field. <br> <br> Long experience suggests that the Latin phrase CAVEAT EMPTOR--let the buyer beware--should be inscribed over the portals of many programs offering treatment for alcohol problems. The treatment being provided often has not been thoroughly specified, and the purchaser of services cannot therefore be certain what he is buying. No such problem exists with respect to the guided self-change treatment described in this volume by the Sobells. Logically structured, meticulously detailed, and at the same time highly readable, it is a model of the clarity and precision that are required to place the treatment of alcohol problems upon a trustworthy empirical foundation. <br> <br> Historically, the treatment of alcohol problems has focused on those whose problems have been the most severe. This has been an appropriate and humane response to a major public health problem. Now, however, we understand more fully that a much larger group exists having significant problems with alcohol but at a less disruptive level. To provide a differing but more acceptable treatment regimen for this group, which at thesame time is effective, is an enlightened step forward. In this book the Sobells help us to take that step, and, in the spirit of the intervention they describe, to take it by ourselves. By doing so they contribute in a major way to the credibility and relevance of the treatment enterprise as a whole. --Frederick B. Glaser, M.D., F.R.C.P. <br> <br> This book provides therapists with a structured guide for working with problem drinkers. The emphasis is on developing effective, brief interventions to promote motivation for self change. Although not a self-help book as such for problem drinkers, it presents a professional approach that has been found effective in both the prevention and treatment of alcohol problems. I recommend it highly to all counselors and therapists who are interested in working with problem drinkers. --G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., Psychology, University of Washington <br> <br> First, I will summarize my initial impressions. These are extremely practical and incisive works, addressing treatment issues, that ate among the most common and important in the field. The Sobells focus on assisting problem drinkers- people who tend to have fewer problems and greater resources than the more numerous population of dependent drinkers. The intervention that they (the Sobells) describe is a marvel of economy, involving two sessions of motivational enhancement coupled with aspects of familiar behavior therapy. Both the content and process of this approach are abundantly described. Moreover, the text is extremely user friendly. Assessment materisals, readings for clients and homework exercised are all presented and are reproducible for use in clinical practice.These volumes represent the state of the art in their respective areas of practice, and for clinicians working with alcohol problems and family therapy, they are essential reading. --J. Somers, Behavior Research and Therapy <br> <br> Overall, this is an excellent volume that should be part of the library of any clinician whose practice includes persons with drinking problems. --Frederick Rotgers in Child and Family Behavior Therapy <br>

Many treatment programs for alcohol problems take an authoritarian approach prescribing what clients 'must' do and seeking in various ways to control, coerce, or convert them. The Sobells offer clinicians a fresh approach that is more in tune both with current research on how people really change and with the return in this field toward a more client-centered view of treatment. Their work is also important because it addresses the largest and yet most ignored group of problem drinkers: those with little or no dependence, yet serious risk and consequences. Such individuals often seek treatment reluctantly or indirectly, if at all, and are most likely to be identified in the course of treating other health and psychological problems. They are unlikely to seek or accept traditional 'chemical dependency' counseling, yet are important candidates for early intervention. The Sobells provide clear guidelines to ad dress alcohol problems in this group. THis is not another new 'cure.' Its elements are, in fact, rooted in decades of familiar psychological theory and research. The message is that problem drinkers are not members of a different species, and that--for them as for all people--well-applied fundamental psychological principles of motivation, self-control, and empathic respect can form the foundation of effective change. --William R. Miller, Ph.D., University of New Mexico Recent research confirms that the burdens placed upon society by alcohol problems arise not so much from the relatively small number of persons with severe problems as they do from the very much larger group of persons with less severe problems, the problem drinkers. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of treatment approaches for problem drinkers. In this book the doctors Sobell describe in gratifying detail an empirically based and carefully considered treatment for this group, guided self-change treatment, that they have shown to be effective. So generously have they shared their knowledge

In summary, the authors have accomplished the important task of converting research findings into a form that is useful to clinicians and beneficial to patients. It is important in today's era of accountability that the alcohol field heed this book's example of providing alcohol treatments that are credible, patient-specific, and cost-effective. -- The American Journal on Addictions Sobell and Sobell's unique treatment manual should prove quite useful...The manual is practically oriented, providing various non-traditional and client-oriented treatment that these authors have designed could have a broad range of applications, both with regard to a particular setting in which it is used and the particular kinds of early-stage problem drinkers with which it is used. -- The Psychological Record The Sobells describe an approach and methodology for intervening with alcohol abuse which offers the problem drinker and his or her family a new venue for approaching the topic and examining drinking, its consequences, and behavioral change....Written as a practitioners treatment manual, the concepts and methods are written in such a way that the layperson can easily understand what is being presented. -- Innovations & Research A thoroughly detailed guide for therapists...The text is illustrated, heavily referenced, indexed, and contains a number of forms intended for reproduction, and use by the practitioner and the client. -- Biosis This book is an excellent and practical approach for the treatment of problem drinkers from a self-management orientation. This orientation is quite useful for the person in the early stages of problem drinking. -- Doody's Journal, Health Sciences Book Review Mark and Linda Sobell, longtime researchers into that frequently grey area of problem drinking (as opposed to chronic alcoholism), offer therapists an empirically based approach to treatment. Their program of guided self-management is a motivational intervention almost breathless in its brevity....An emphasis on clinical utility and applicability will help clinicians implement the theory. And the book is made even more accessible by the numerous case examples and handouts, with permission to photocopy already granted by the publisher. All in all, the Sobells have neatly tied theory and practices into a guidebook others in the addictions field are praising for its freshness and professionalism. -- The Journal, Addictions News for Professionals In summary, the authors have accomplished the important task of converting research findings into a form that is useful to clinicians and beneficial to patients. It is important in today's era of accountability that the alcohol field heed this book's example of providing alcohol treatments that are credible, patient-specific, and cost-effective. -- The American Journal on Addictions Sobell and Sobell's unique treatment manual should prove quite useful...The manual is practically oriented, providing various non-traditional and client-oriented treatment that these authors have designed could have a broad range of applications, both with regard to a particular setting in which it is used and the particular kinds of early-stage problem drinkers with which it is used. -- The Psychological Record The Sobells describe an approach and methodology for intervening with alcohol abuse which offers the problem drinker and his or her family a new venue for approaching the topic and examining drinking, its consequences, and behavioral change....Written as a practitioners treatment manual, the concepts and methods are written in such a way that the layperson can easily understand what is being presented. -- Innovations & amp; Research A thoroughly detailed guide for therapists...The text is illustrated, heavily referenced, indexed, and contains a number of forms intended for reproduction, and use by the practitioner and the client. -- Biosis This book is an excellent and practical approach for the treatment of problem drinkers from aself-management orientation. This orientation is quite useful for the person in the early stages of problem drinking. -- Doody's Journal, Health Sciences Book Review Mark and Linda Sobell, longtime researchers into that frequently grey area of problem drinking (as opposed to chronic alcoholism), offer therapists an empirically based approach to treatment. Their program of guided self-management is a motivational intervention almost breathless in its brevity....An emphasis on clinical utility and applicability will help clinicians implement the theory. And the book is made even more accessible by the numerous case examples and handouts, with permission to photocopy already granted by the publisher. All in all, the Sobells have neatly tied theory and practices into a guidebook others in the addictions field are praising for its freshness and professionalism. -- The Journal, Addictions News for Professionals Many treatment programs for alcohol problems take an authoritarian approach prescribing what clients 'must' do and seeking in various ways to control, coerce, or convert them. The Sobells offer clinicians a fresh approach that is more in tune both with current research on how people really change and with the return in this field toward a more client-centered view of treatment. Their work is also important because it addresses the largest and yet most ignored group of problem drinkers: those with little or no dependence, yet serious risk and consequences. Such individuals often seek treatment reluctantly or indirectly, if at all, and are most likely to be identified in the course of treating other health and psychological problems. They are unlikely to seek or accept traditional 'chemical dependency' counseling, yet are important candidates for early intervention. The Sobells provide clear guidelines to ad dress alcohol problems in this group. THis is not another new 'cure.' Its elements are, in fact, rooted in decades of familiar psychological theory and research. The message is that problem drinkers are not members of a different species, and that--for them as for all people--well-applied fundamental psychological principles of motivation, self-control, and empathic respect can form the foundation of effective change. --William R. Miller, Ph.D., University of New Mexico Recent research confirms that the burdens placed upon society by alcohol problems arise not so much from the relatively small number of persons with severe problems as they do from the very much larger group of persons with less severe problems, the problem drinkers. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of treatment approaches for problem drinkers. In this book the doctors Sobell describe in gratifying detail an empirically based and carefully considered treatment for this group, guided self-change treatment, that they have shown to be effective. So generously have they shared their knowledge and experience that clinicians will be able to implement the treatment in their own settings. Broadening the therapeutic spectrum to deal with a critical group of individuals previously left to fend for themselves constitutes a major advance in treatment in our field. Long experience suggests that the Latin phrase CAVEAT EMPTOR--let the buyer beware--should be inscribed over the portals of many programs offering treatment for alcohol problems. The treatment being provided often has not been thoroughly specified, and the purchaser of services cannot therefore be certain what he is buying. No such problem exists with respect to the guided self-change treatment described in this volume by the Sobells. Logically structured, meticulously detailed, and at the same time highly readable, it is a model of the clarity and precision that are required to place the treatment of alcohol problems upon a trustworthy empirical foundation. Historically, the treatment of alcohol problems has focused on those whose problems have been the most severe. This has been an appropriate and humane response to a major public health problem. Now, however, we understand more fully that a much larger group exists having significant problems with alcohol but at a less disruptive level. To provide a differing but more acceptable treatment regimen for this group, which at the same time is effective, is an enlightened step forward. In this book the Sobells help us to take that step, and, in the spirit of the intervention they describe, to take it by ourselves. By doing so they contribute in a major way to the credibility and relevance of the treatment enterprise as a whole. --Frederick B. Glaser, M.D., F.R.C.P. This book provides therapists with a structured guide for working with problem drinkers. The emphasis is on developing effective, brief interventions to promote motivation for self change. Although not a self-help book as such for problem drinkers, it presents a professional approach that has been found effective in both the prevention and treatment of alcohol problems. I recommend it highly to all counselors and therapists who are interested in working with problem drinkers. --G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., Psychology, University of Washington First, I will summarize my initial impressions. These are extremely practical and incisive works, addressing treatment issues, that ate among the most common and important in the field. The Sobells focus on assisting problem drinkers- people who tend to have fewer problems and greater resources than the more numerous population of dependent drinkers. The intervention that they (the Sobells) describe is a marvel of economy, involving two sessions of motivational enhancement coupled with aspects of familiar behavior therapy. Both the content and process of this approach are abundantly described. Moreover, the text is extremely user friendly. Assessment materisals, readings for clients and homework exercised are all presented and are reproducible for use in clinical practice. These volumes represent the state of the art in their respective areas of practice, and for clinicians working with alcohol problems and family therapy, they are essential reading. --J. Somers, Behavior Research and Therapy Overall, this is an excellent volume that should be part of the library of any clinician whose practice includes persons with drinking problems. --Frederick Rotgers in Child and Family Behavior Therapy

Author Information

Mark B. Sobell, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist and Associate Director for Treatment Research and Development at the Clinical Research and Treatment Institute of the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto, Canada. In addition, he is a Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Behavioural Science at the University of Toronto. Linda C. Sobell, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist, Assistant Director for Research and Clinical Training, and Chief of the Guided Self-Change Unit at the Clinical Research and Treatment Institute of the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto, Canada. In addition, she is a Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Behavioural Science at the University of Toronto, and is currently the President-elect of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Together, the Sobells have authored/edited five books, written more than 100 journal articles and 35 book chapters, been members of several editorial boards, led many workshops and consulted widely. They are nationally and internationally recognized for their work in the area of addictive behaviors.

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