FASS provides community based, confidential 1 to 1 counselling for individuals and family members. Counselling is available during daytime in 26 health centres, clinics and hospitals throughout Fife and during evenings in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, St Andrews, Inverkeithing and Glenrothes. A home visiting service is also available.
Counselling helps people clarify thoughts, emotions and behaviour and find personal solutions for problem drinking and related issues:
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regular or binge drinking
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underlying causes including personal, family, social, employment and lifestlye issues
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consequences of drinking including accident, mental health, relationship and financial issues
FASS works to the principle that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is fundamental to the success of help provided for alcohol problems, that is, how well the practitioner engages with his/her client through skillful application of:
Upon this person centred foundation, FASS practitioners use a range of Cognitive-Behavioural methods including behavioural self-control, coping skills and strategies and changing self-image/talk. Motivational Interviewing can help people who are ambivalent about the pros and cons of drinking and health behaviour change. These methods together with family support and support group networks, also provide by FASS, are recommended by NHS SIGN 74 Guidelines: Management of Harmful Drinking and Alcohol Dependence in Primary Care. FASS practitioners are trained to understand how people view their own problems and how alcohol fits with them.
FASS provides client led, goal focused counselling programmes that include:
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specialist alcohol assessment
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care planning with the service user
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working with significant others/families
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arrangements for management of alcohol withdrawals, pre and post detox support
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exploration of deeper issues and problem solving
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abstinence, controlled drinking and harm reduction regimes
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relapse prevention
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alcohol education
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report and record keeping
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consultation with other professionals regarding client care
