Whose problem? Care and services for people living with alcohol-related brain injury
RIS ID
67607
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to gain a greater understanding of the issues and challenges for people living with alcohol-related brain injury. Professional support for people with alcohol-related brain injury appears to be completely inadequate and people fall between the 'service' cracks. Whose problem is this given that no single authority has overall responsibility for the co-ordination, planning and delivery of services? An overall theme of social exclusion was found to explain the experience of people with alcohol-related brain injury. Within contemporary mental health policy, recovery is a transcending value-base for mental health practice and people with alcohol-related brain injury would benefi t from being part of this value-base. This presentation argues that people living with alcohol-related brain injury are an even more marginalised subpopulation than mental health services users as these people do not fi t neatly into any existing category or model of care. Before people with alcohol-related brain injury can satisfactorily live with their injury, the issue of providing people with appropriate services must be addressed. This presentation provides a voice for those with alcoholrelated injury and calls into question the oft heard catchcry by mental health nurses that 'they are not one of ours'. The presentation will help delegates understand the impact that segregated practices has on this population and how social and service exclusion can be addressed to improve the quality of life for people living with alcohol-related brain injury.
Publication Details
Brighton, R. M., Moxham, L. & Traynor, V. (2012). Whose problem? Care and services for people living with alcohol-related brain injury. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 21 1-2.