Contemporary, Evidence Based and Culturally safe options for Alcohol dependent patient:
Alcoholism is chronic disease caused by compulsive and uncontrollable consumption of alcoholic beverages , leading to addiction and deterioration in health and social functioning. Alcohol dependent patient need prompt treatment, psychological support , various psycho therapies and continous follow up to get cured off the disease of alcoholism. When treating An Alcoholic patient, Health professionals must understand the cultural differences of the patient that may influence his behaviour, lifestyle, willingness and response to the treatment. Especially when dealing with the clients from cultural minorities, aboriginal communities.
Health care workers should adapt Evidence based and appropriate practices, that are culturally safe to treat the Alcohol dependent patient. Some of such options are:
* Culturally safe treatment options are the treatment measures that provided in a culturally safe environment, that should be free from assault, insult and discrimination based on ethnicity, colour or culture and denial of patient identity. Instead there should be a shared knowledge, shared respect and shared participation in planning the interventions.
* Living , working together and providing treatment with a dignity and use of honest and active listening when hearing an alcoholic patient , will work greately . This is proven by a research conducted among alcoholic patient in 1999, done by Williams.
* Health worker should not only have awareness about their culture, but also have a positive attitude and behaviour towards them.
* Encourage the patient to ventilate their feelings about alcoholism and if any relation between alcoholism and their culture.
* The main goal of treatment of Alcoholism is to maintain the patient abstain from Alcoholism. Encourage the client to maintain abstinence from alcohol and provide positive reinforcements at regular intervals, if he or she maintains it.
* Foe some cultures , alcohol is essential for their family functions and festivals. Instruct the patient that he can have the Alcohol, 1 drink, at the day, if it is necessary and to take part in all other traditional practices that are not harmful to health.
*Instruct the pregnant women and lactating women, about the strict avoidance of alcohol to keep the baby healthy. Educate them regarding the ill effects of Alcohol on baby. Pregnant or lactating women, if the should take alcohol, as a part of their custom or special festivals, they should not drink more than a drink. Lactating women should breast feed the baby before drinking and wait for another 4 hours to feed the baby after an alcoholic drink.
* Studies show that certain medications are effective in the treatment of Alcoholism. Encourage the patient to adhere to medication regimen and to abstain from Alcoholism.
Best Evidence based treatment for Alcoholic withdrawal symptoms is the treatment with Benzodiazepines.
* Maintain the cultural values. :
-In some culture we have to show the due respect to elderly. Consider the elderly with a good respect and ask questions appropriately. - same gender for patient and health professional is preferred.
- Ask permission before touching the client.
- respect the religious values of the client.
* Holistic approaches including spiritual assistance can greatly help the addicted clients to come out from Alcoholism . There are many real life stories especially in United states, that many came out from addiction with the spiritual assistance , especially from a Christian elder or a pastor/ priest. Many started a newlife without addiction after the encounter.
* Evidences show that culturally safe interventions have more effect in the health outcomes of the client
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