Helping the patient in denial: the role of the family in intervention.
Physicians can play a critical role in influencing patients to seek appropriate treatment for alcoholism and drug dependence. These illnesses are characterized by denial, which may prevent patients from seeking treatment on their own. This article discusses the role of the family in intervening with chemically dependent patients. It is important to gain input from family members in order to make a clear diagnosis and to influence the patient to seek treatment. The family intervention model developed by Vernon Johnson is used to understand the principles for intervening with chemically dependent patients. Three basic tasks for physicians treating chemically dependent patients are reviewed.
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Employee assistance program EAP, University of Maryland Medical System, USA.
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McDuff
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D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*