ICPHSP5001 

                                                                                                         

“A Workshop for Health Professionals: Creating an Alcohology Network. The experience of Crete.”                                           Click here to download Pdf file.

 

Author:      Iannis A. Mouzas, Associated Professor,

                   

Affiliation: Multidisciplinary Alcohology Center, Medical School, University of Crete Alcohology Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece

 

Abstract:

During the last twelve years an Alcohology network has been formed in Crete, based in Heraklion, the biggest city of a 650.000 inhabitants’ island. Persons with alcohol-related problems and their families are offered support and help for personal change by a structure of collaborating parts, both institutional and voluntary. The system of intervention is mainly based on a systemic and ecologic approach.

The institutions consist of: The Alcohology Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital in Heraklion, which supports persons with alcohol-related problems and their families through psychiatric help and psychological counseling from the psychiatrist and social worker of the Alcohology Team; The Interdisciplinary Alcohology Center of the Medical School of the University of Crete, which is focused on research and education in the field of Alcohology; Regional hospitals in major cities of Crete, rural Health Centers, municipalities, with professionals (social workers, psychologists, physicians active in local institutions) collaborating with the Alcohology Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital.

 

The volunteer organizations consist of: A volunteer association based in Heraklion (Epistrofi = Return), dedicated in supporting persons and families with alcohol-related problems, and Clubs of Alcoholic Families (Clubs of Alcoholics in Treatment), multifamily communities structured according to a systemic approach. Volunteers, members of clubs and health professionals, participate in the multidisciplinary team of the Alcohology Outpatient Clinic.

Local conditions include both difficulties and opportunities. According to our personal experience from the development of this Alcohology Network in Heraklion, collaboration of health professionals and volunteers in the field of Alcohology is both feasible and rewarding, with better and sustainable final results. The practical advantages of this collaboration are valid for both parts, professionals and volunteers.

 

Key words:

Alcohology, network, health professionals.