Precontemplation

Encourage understanding of how drinking increases risks to health and safety.

Intervention Options:

ASK:

• Ask the client to think critically about their drinking behavior.
  What are the positive and negative experiences that are associated with your drinking? 
  What factors influence your decision to drink or not to drink?

ADVISE:

• Increase awareness of particular risks associated with drinking.
  Your risk for adverse health and social outcomes is reduced when you follow the LRDGs.

ASSIST:

• Encourage critical thinking about current drinking behavior
  How would you know if your drinking was a problem for you?
• Support belief that following the LRDGs will improve health.
  Every little bit counts!
• Foster belief that people can change behavior.
  One small step in the right direction usually leads to another.
• Provide resources if willing.
  This information is new for many people.
  Have a look and see how your drinking behavior compares with the LRDG recommendations.

Future Intervention:

ASK:

• Have you thought about reducing your alcohol consumption?

Click on Contemplation (or whatever stage they are at) below for examples of what the health professional might say to clients.  These are suggestions to stimulate your thinking about what you want to say to that particular client.

Resources

The following resources may be helpful for clients progressing through the stages of change. 

• Low Risk Drinking Guidelines www.lrdg.net

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health www.camh.net

• Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

A client enduring a relapse, or struggling with alcohol abuse/dependence may require a referral.