Having A Complete Alcohol Assessment

By Rosella Campbell


The cases of alcoholism in Minneapolis, MN has been increasing a little bit since the last year. Now since the numbers have gone up, alcoholic counsellors have been more diligent when it comes to trying to treat the patients. Of course in order to do this, they have to give the patients an alcohol assessment.

Now in order to assess whether one would have a drinking problem or not, there are actually three ways to do this. The three ways will first determine whether the patient does have a condition or not. Now these three methods of determining would be the MAST, the CAGE, and the TWEAK methods.

The first one is known as the Michigan Alcohol Screen Test and was made popular during the year 1971. Basically, the counsellor will be asking questions about how alcoholism is the result of such personal problems like work problems, family problems, and other kinds. This method will allow the patient to be able to realize himself that he actually does have a problem when it comes to drinking.

The second test that could be used, which is the CAGE test, would follow a process to know how the patient feels about his problem. Now the first question would relate to whether people has asked him to cut down already. The next one would be about whether he has ever been annoyed at the concern people show to him. The next one would be about whether the patient has ever felt guilty after drinking too much. The last one would ask whether one has had eye openers or early morning drinks.

There is also the TWEAK method which is quite similar to the CAGE method but is a little bit more complete. The TWEAK method is composed of letters that serve as abbreviations for the words tolerance, worried, eye openers, amnesia and cut down. By taking a look at these five aspects, one will be able to evaluate the drinking problem of an alcoholic.

The T would first determine just how much alcohol one can consume before he cannot take it anymore. The W would determine if he knows whether there are others who are concerned about him. The E would determine whether the patient would have drinks first thing in the morning. The A would determine whether one would be having blackouts or amnesia. Lastly, the K would determine whether the patient has already had some thoughts of stopping.

Of course once the counsellor has already determined that the patient does have a problem, the counsellor will first refer him to a medical doctor to get a physical examination. It is best to find out first if there are any urgent health issue. That way, treatment can be given right away.

For the drinking problem, most patients have to undergo detoxification. After the detoxification, they will be given anti depressants to dull the withdrawal effects. After that is done, then he will be attend some psychotherapy sessions in order to completely cure his condition and make sure that it does not come back.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...