AA is an early intervention strategy for alcoholics, especially those with genetic, family history, trans-generational, child abuse histories. For a broader view of assessment management planning and followup see the note at the bottom of the page:
Be clear about your role, especially in relation to referral to AA
AA members know as clients in their drinking years, they could be very difficult.
But by the same token, when people receive the help that addresses their alcoholism, it can be immensely rewarding for them and you to see the huge improvements that can come even with just 6 or 12 months of sobriety.
Remember too, that supporting one person’s recovery from alcoholism helps improves the lives of those affected by that person.
That’s an extra 4 for each person – increasing your professional efficiency!
In most cases, as a professional, your primary role is not as an alcohol or/and other drug specialist.
Where you can only provide immediate medical or other assistance, using short-intervention techniques - ie.providing basic information supported by literature is one option and feedback to their GP or other agreed service for ongoing follow-up.
And having passive information such as posters and literature in waiting rooms another option. See below.
Where your role is one of primary care – assessing the issues, referral to self-help support in cases when you are unable to assist and ongoing follow-up with your client to assess whether your first suggestions have helped or not. And if not, to considering the next options. (such as more in-depth D and A assessment)
You can say that, whilst your knowledge is limited, you care strongly that your client gets the help they need.
Making an effective referral means knowing as much as you can about the service to which you are referring.
This is especially important in the case of Alcoholics Anonymous. Remember the points about defense mechanisms.
Your client is likely to have all sorts of reasons why AA is not for them.
Most of these reasons will be misunderstanding of what AA is and does, especially as it takes time to understand the complex nature of alcoholism and the way AA addresses this in lay terms.
That’s why AA recommends newcomers attend several different meetings over several months, whilst not drinking to understand what AA offers.
Learning to play golf or tennis is similar in that there is a whole new language to learn as well as the skills to play the game. Learning to live life sober is similar.
In following up with your client, you may be able to address some of their concerns because you are knowledgeable about AA and encourage their continued attendance and/or refer them to more alcohol and other drug specialist services as needed.
But as mentioned before, timing is an important factor in dealing with alcohol affected people, if you are willing to make a referral to AA, Al-Anon or an Alcohol and Other Drug Related Service.
Are they too drunk or distressed to take anything in? Or are they in severe withdrawal or pain?
Remember memory problems for any stressed person - literature/ referral material that people can take away to consider later and/or follow-up can be very useful.
Other Strategies:
Have your support staff arrange for some of these to assist your work. Your walls and waiting rooms can help too
Note: Item 8 below may be assist to help you or your organisation in accessing the following:
Have posters in strategic places: Waiting Rooms, Toilets – places where people may have some time.
Have some AA pamphlets amongst waiting room literature.
Have AA size business cards to pop into pockets or give as referral reminders
Refer your clients to AA’s national website for self-diagnosis and support.
Maybe have them take this test with you…
Could I be an problem drinker / alcoholic?
Spend a little time exploring the AA website to know what you clients will find, if you suggest they check AA out.Have some AA literature on hand:
The AA Literature store sells a pamphlet called Is AA for You? for a modest fee. Giving your client one to take away and think about is a possible strategy for showing your interest in assisting them in getting to the bottom of their problems and giving them support.
Your local AA office many be able to provide business card size contact information and/or posters that could be available in your waiting room.As part of your professional education
Use AA literature, AA’s national website and online meetings (or in person) as part of your professional education.
Professionals are increasing time poor, so the website aa.org.au will give you a practical start to increasing your work with people with alcohol-related problems.
The AA Literature store has information for professionals in the form of brochures and books.
One practical one for starters is called Living Sober. ($8.25 @ 1/12/24)The meetings section has a national data base of AA meetings for both face-to-face (by postcode) and online (by next in time)
Some are closed to AA members only (i.e. people who want to stop drinking and have identified themselves as alcoholics), but many are open meetings for anyone to attend.Your ongoing in-house professional development sessions
Arrange for your local AA Public Information and Professional Awareness (PIPA) Team to see how they can assist your work.
In particular perhaps bringing a small group of AA members to one of your staff-training sessions.
Contact the National Office for advice about your local PIPA team and meetings that could give you and your staff an overview of AA relevant to your profession.General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous Australia
1/1 Garnet St Rockdale, NSW 2216
Office Hours: 8.30am – 4.30pm Mon-Fri
Phone: (02) 9599 8866
Website: www.aa.org.au
Email: gso@aa.org.auNote: Some free pdfs from the America
If you are a professional …
AA At A Glance
A Newcomer Asks
Many paths to spirituality
The God WordNOTE:
In the best of all possible worlds, each person with a possible addiction like alcoholism need a comprehensive physical and psycho-social assessment to develop with the patient/ client a short, medium and longer term recovery management and follow-up plan.
With government resources in short supply, the cost of getting really high quality and effective treatment is out of the reach for most but high functioning and rich alcoholics. And those may reinforce the old myths about self help support.
Similar principles apply for the families of people with addictions.
Comprehensive assessment for alcoholics (and/or or people with other addictions) would coverpotential for severe withdrawal symptoms, especially those that are potential medical emergencies for seizures and DTs
Note: this may be needed in Hospital, proclaimed places (NSW), emergency shelter, overnight police cells etcbrain damage and/or vitamin deficiencies (especially B group) as contributing factors to confusion, anxiety and panic attacks may be important. Possible concussion from falls, accidents, etc.
vitamin deficiencies (especially B group) as contributing factors to memory and other brain functioning. Some require Vitamin B injections over a period of time.
infectious conditions such as HepB, and STD
liver and other health problems related to alcohol or other drug use
mental health - to screen for underlying conditions such as depression and/or severe anxiety, ptsd and complex ptsd or psychiatric disorders that may need the attention of a psychiatrist and medication to enable recovery to be supported such as schizophrenia, bi-polar, ADHA, Autism etc.
Other addictions - multi-drug use (including smoking), gambling, shopping, workahollsm, etc
relationship support - partners, spouse, flatmates etc. support groups eg sporting clubs
employment (and related skills), income support
housing, transport, interests/ hobbies and other resources
skills - daily living skills (cooking, cleaning, dressing, money management), problem solving, and
areas for skills development literacy, numeracy, language, technology and other education and training,
Recovery Management Planning
Immediate assistance - Need for inpatient medical or supervised withdrawal required. Other immediate needs e.g. medical attention, food, housing etc,
Short term- is medical withdrawal support required for at home GP supported withdrawal; 12th or other group support and referral, referral to community mental health/ nursing support.
Short to Medium term - 12th or other group support and referral, referral for more comprehensive assessment at AOD specialist unit?
Medium to Longer term - continued follow-up for assessment for more psychological/ counselling support and/ or trauma therahy etc.
Follow-up Planning
With lots of other medical conditions, follow-op appointments are a standard part of medical practice to ensure that the intervention has been successful and/or does not need any further attention.
Often such follow-up is brief and courteous - and important. as eye-balling your client is often a quick way to assess progress.Have your explained major life changes sometimes involve relapse, so followup is important (eg 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months then 6 months 12 months - annual? thereafter)
Is your service as diligent? Or do you expect failure /seeing that as lack of motivation on the clients behalf rather than a mutual responsibility.
Have you an agreement that if your patient/ client does not attend for follow-up appointments, follow-up calls/ texts/letter that that you can arrange mental health team follow-up etc. for on your behalf.
In many cases, a brief intervention with a successful connection to a 12th step support network will be more than sufficient in the short term and maybe even in the longer term, as long as your follow-up arrangements are supported by observation.
