Riglyne vir nasorgdienste aan gerehabiliteerde alkoholiste

Abstract

The aim of this research was to develop guidelines for after-care services for rehabilitated alcoholics, in order to render a more effective support service towards the rehabilitated alcoholic on his way to full recovery. The necessity of the research project originated on account of a lack of knowledge among social workers on the need of the rehabilitated alcoholic towards after-care service and the specific nature that after-care services have to contain. A literature overview of after-care services was given to the alcoholic, as a background for the empirical study of the project. The literature study showed that after-care services as an integral part of the total rehabilitation of the alcoholic is conceptualized. Further out of the literature came to light that social workers have a resistance against the delivering of after-care services and that they experience feelings of discourage regarding the alcoholic. The empirical study confirmed that social workers experience resistance against giving after-care services to rehabilitated alcoholics. Further they don't consider this as part of their task and they give a low priority towards the rendering of after-care services. In spite of this, the necessity of after-care services is being realized by the social workers. Alcoholics who are standing on the point of being discharged from the rehabilitation center have a need for after-care services to help them adapt in the community. They especially have a need for individual contact with a professional person and do not want to be part of only a self-help group. Among the alcoholics who are already functioning in the community after treatment, the particular need of the female alcoholic came forward. This group feels that their family and spouse do not truly have an idea of their needs. Further there was a need among the rehabilitated alcoholics to know who will be responsible for their after-care services. This group would have wanted to be prepared on possible risky situations and ways of handling these situations. The research showed that there is a shortcoming in the practice concerning the rendering of aftercare service. Guidelines were formulated from which more effective after-care services could be given to rehabilitated alcoholics.