Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic return to religion-online Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic by Howard J. Clinebell, Jr. Howard J. Clinebell, Jr. Is Professor of Pastoral Counseling at the School of Theology at Claremont, California (1977). He is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He is a licensed marriage, child and family counselor in the State of California. This book is the Revised and Enlarged Edition published by Abingdon Press, Nashville, 10th Printing, 1990. Used by permission. This material ws prepared for Religion Online by Richard V. Kendall. This book is written for the person, professional or lay, who wishes to apply religious resources more effectively to the problem of alcoholism. It deals with what to teach concerning alcoholism and how to handle the alcoholic who comes seeking counsel. Part I - Understanding the Problem of Alcoholism Chapter 1: What Is an Alcoholic? This chapter provides a working definition of alcoholism, then describes the types and developmental pattern of alcoholism, the problem of the woman alcoholic, and the size and seriousness of the problem. Chapter 2: What Are the Causes of Alcoholism? This chapter reviews the causative factors involved in alcoholism as they operate on three levels: (1) Biochemical and psychological factors. (2) Availability of alcohol and its attractiveness as determined by social attitudes, and (3) Physiological changes as well as cultural attitudes. Alcohol provides a "pseudo-solution "to problems and anxieties. It is when this collapses, the alcoholic turns to religious solutions. Part II - Some Religious Approaches to Alcoholism Chapter 3: How Religion Has Been Used to Help Homeless Alcoholics file:///D:/rb/relsearchd.dll-action=showitem&id=586.htm (1 of 3) [2/4/03 2:02:45 PM] Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic Dr. Clinebell takes a practical look at the evangelistic-authoritarian approaches of the rescue mission and the Salvation Army as they seek to help the alcoholic. Chapter 4: The Emmanuel Movement -- Religion Plus Psychotherapy Continuing the author's study in the psychology of applied religion, the now discontinued Emmanuel Movement had many elements of theory and practice worth emulating. It was the first church-sponsored psycho-religious clinic. Chapter 5: Alcoholics Anonymous -- Our Greatest Resource Continuing the practical orientation of the opening chapters, Dr. Clinebell describes in detail the way in which Alcoholics Anonymous began and grew,, and how it applies the insights of psychology and religion effectively to the sickness called alcoholism. Chapter 6: The Psychodynamics of a Religious Approach to Alcoholism This chapter discusses the distinctive contribution which can be made by a religious approach to alcoholism in contrast to a non-religious approach. Part III: The Minister's Approach to Alcoholism Chapter 7: The Ethical Problem in Alcoholism A stumbling-block to many clergymen in dealing with alcoholism is the issue of the ethical problem: sin vs. sickness; the problem of responsibility. Chapter 8 - Laying the Groundwork for Counseling Alcoholics This chapter covers some preliminary considerations for a minister who intends to counsel alcoholics: his attitude, goals, preparation and resources. Chapter 9 - The Process of Counseling with Alcoholics: Relationship and Motivation The counseling relationship involves the motivation and attitudes of both the counselor and the Alcoholic. This chapter provides some specific guidance in these areas. Chapter 10: Process of Counseling with Alcoholics Moving Toward Recovery Part of the process of counseling with alcoholics is helping increase their understanding of their addictive illness. This includes help from AA, assistance from a medical expert, learning how to file:///D:/rb/relsearchd.dll-action=showitem&id=586.htm (2 of 3) [2/4/03 2:02:45 PM] Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic interrupt the addictive cycle, helping the person develop a new way of life without alcohol, and helping further his/her spiritual growth. Chapter 11: Helping the Family of the Alcoholic This chapter focuses on counseling the family of the alcoholic, dealing with the family crisis, using the resources of Al-Anon, and helping the children of alcoholics. Chapter 12 The Prevention of Alcoholism This chapter reviews the three levels on which alcoholic sickness can be prevented by the counselor and religious community: At the grass roots, through the influencing of symptom selection, and through early detection and treatment. Chapter 13 -An Alcoholism Strategy for the Congregation This chapter discusses the role of the Religious Community in dealing with alcoholism. 16 file:///D:/rb/relsearchd.dll-action=showitem&id=586.htm (3 of 3) [2/4/03 2:02:45 PM] Religion-Online religion-online.org Full texts by recognized religious scholars More than 1,500 articles and chapters. Topics include Old and New Testament, Theology, Ethics, History and Sociology of Religions, Comparative Religion, Religious Communication, Pastoral Care, Counselling, Homiletics, Worship, Missions and Religious Education. site map (click on any subject) RELIGION & THE SITE THE BIBLE THEOLOGY SOCIETY About Religion Online Authority of the Bible Theology Church and Society Copyright and Use Old Testament Ethics Sociology of A Note to Professors New Testament Missions Religion Comparative Religion Social Issues Bible Commentary Religion and Culture History of Religious Thought RELIGION & THE LOCAL COMMUNICATION CHURCH SEARCH BROWSE Communication Theory The Local Search Religion Online Books Communication in the Local Congregation Index By Author Church Pastoral Care and Recommended Sites Index By Communication and Public Policy Counseling Category Media Education Homiletics: The Art of Preaching Religious Education A member of the Science and Theology Web Ring [ Previous | Next | Random Site | List Sites ] file:///D:/rb/index.htm [2/4/03 2:02:48 PM] Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic return to religion-online Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic by Howard J. Clinebell, Jr. Part I - Understanding the Problem of Alcoholism Howard J. Clinebell, Jr. Is Professor of Pastoral Counseling at the School of Theology at Claremont, California (1977). He is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He is a licensed marriage, child and family counselor in the State of California. This book is the Revised and Enlarged Edition published by Abingdon Press, Nashville, 10th Printing, 1990. Used by permission. This material ws prepared for Religion Online by Richard V. Kendall. Chapter 1: What Is an Alcoholic? Have you ever known an alcoholic? Have you ever tried to help such a person? Almost everyone reading this page can answer the first question in the affirmative. Many can do the same for the second. For few problems are as widespread as alcoholism. Directly or indirectly, most adults have had some experience with this perplexing sickness. It may have touched one’s immediate family; or it may have been experienced in an employee, a fellow worker, a friend or the friend of a friend, a distant relative, or a chance acquaintance. In a survey conducted in the state of Washington, 72 percent of the sample population had known at least one alcoholic. 1. Of these, 40.5 percent had been related as close friends or relatives of the alcoholic they had known. Anyone whose work brings him into intimate touch with people is painfully acquainted with the problem of alcoholism. Ministers, physicians, psychotherapists, social workers, and others whose work includes helping people in trouble have the problem thrust at them many times in the course of their professional activity As I think back over my own professional experience, I am impressed by the variety of such encounters. I think, for example, of Mr. K., who stopped after choir practice to chat and during the conversation worked around to unburdening his soul of the grim story of his wife’s recent spree. I think of Mrs. L., who phoned to ask if I could help persuade her alcoholic husband to see a psychiatrist. I think of Bill, a member of the youth group, who came to tell of the trouble his family had been having with an alcoholic uncle who, though abstinent in AA, continued to be difficult to live with. I think of Joe, a promising young man of twenty-nine, who saw that his drinking was out of hand and, in desperation appealed for help. I think of Mr. B., a respectably dressed stranger who came to the parsonage door with a convincing story about needing a loan to redeem his tools which he had been forced to pawn during a prolonged illness. On investigation, his story proved to be a clever alcoholic ruse. I file:///D:/rb/relsearchd.dll-action=showitem&gotochapter=1&id=586.htm (1 of 26) [2/4/03 2:02:55 PM] Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic think of Mr. P., a business executive and church member, who after many years of periodic binges had been happily sober in AA for three years. I think of Mr. L., talented artist and frequent patron of the city hospital’s alcoholic ward, who could not admit that he had an alcoholic problem. I think of Mac, a member of another religious faith, who used to knock on my door every few weeks, asking for a "loan." (I had made the mistake of following the course of least resistance and had given him a small sum on the first occasion.) Each time Mac came, he looked more like death -- a condition toward which he was slipping with tragic alacrity. I think of Bert, a young man from a disturbed home, who consistently arrived at senior youth meetings with alcohol on his breath. I think of Mrs. R., a parishioner whom I felt sure was having serious trouble with alcohol, but who was expert on hiding the fact from everyone including herself.