What To Do About Patients Who Are Not Ready To Change Their Drinking Behavior

Do not be discouraged if patients are not ready to take action immediately. Decisions to change behavior often involve fluctuating motivation and feelings of ambivalence. By offering your advice, you have prompted your patients to think more seriously about their drinking behavior. In many cases, continued reinforcement is the key to a patient's decision to take action. Offer the following guidance to patients who are not ready to take action:

Restate your concern for your patient's health.
Reinforce your willingness to help when the patient is ready.
Continue to monitor alcohol use at subsequent office visits.

 For patients who may be alcohol dependent, you may want to consider some additional strategies:

 Encourage your patient to consult an alcohol specialist or Alcoholic's Anonymous (AA). AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Ask your patient to discuss your recommendation with family members and schedule a followup visit that includes family members/significant others.

 

 

For patients who have evidence of alcohol dependence: a. provide patient education materials b. recommend low-risk consumption limits c. ask them to set specific drinking goals d. refer for additional diagnostic evaluation or treatment

 

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