Help‐seeking Behaviour in Problem Drinkers: a review

Abstract

Help-seeking behaviour in problem drinkers is still poorly understood. This paper summarizes the research conducted so far into alcohol related help-seeking, and attempts to integrate existing models of illness behaviours to help-seeking behaviour in problem drinkers. A conceptualization of alcohol related help-seeking behaviour is presented and empirical findings are reviewed. It was concluded that much of the research so far is exploratory in nature and the findings are still not easily related. Help-seeking behaviour in problem drinkers still awaits further exploration and advancement.

Treatment barriers identified by substance abusers assessed at a centralized intake unit

“…Substance abusers themselves are the most direct source of information about the barriers that impede linkage with treatment, although their views have not always been considered (Jordan & Oei, 1989;Tsogia, Copello, & Orford, 2001). Exceptions include a large general population study where substance abusers identified their lack of confidence in the effectiveness of alcoholism treatment, stigmatization, and denial as conditions that would interfere with linkage (Grant, 1997).…”

“…Other antecedents, such as the number of arrests and prior treatment experiences, may also influence treatment entry. Unfortunately, very little is known about the interactive effect of obvious, but unchangeable, predisposing characteristics and subtle, yet changeable, barriers (Jordan & Oei, 1989). That may explain the reason why no one individual determinant has been consistently associated with treatment linkage (Hajema, Knibbe, & Droop, 1999;Hser et al, 1998;Kleinman, Millery, Scimeca, & Polissar, 2002).…”

Person-related and treatment-related barriers to alcohol treatment

“…Historically, most studies have operationalized treatment seeking as a dichotomous variable (i.e., according to whether or not treatment was obtained). These have been succeeded by studies that conceptualize treatment seeking as a process that comprises a series of decisions (Jordan & Oei, 1989, Mojtabai et al, 2002, Pringle, 1982, Saunders, 1993, Saunders, 1996, Simpson & Tucker, 2002.…”

Pour une compréhension de la démarche de recherche d’aide des conjoints violents

“…Sur le plan de la reconnaissance du problème, les écrits révèlent que si le volume d'alcool ingurgité quotidiennement est souvent l'indice qui fait reconnaître l'existence d'un problème d'alcoolisme, la décision de demander de l'aide se présente généralement comme la résultante de plusieurs événements précipitants (problèmes relationnels, problèmes physiques, problèmes avec la loi) (Jordan et Oei, 1989). Si la peur d'avoir perdu le contrôle sur sa consommation peut être un facteur précipitant la demande d'aide chez les alcooliques (Brooke, Fudala et Johnson, 1992), c'est souvent à partir du moment où elle interfère dans la performance des rôles au travail ou au sein de la famille que la consommation est reconnue comme un problème (Thom, 1986).…”