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Hi Janet

In my opinion the role is the same as in any other chronic illnesses; we do not treat or counsel as they are beyond our scope and remit. Instead we signpost to specialist services and provide reports on likely impact on fitness for work in short, medium and long term.

EAP can be helpful for encouraging initial insight and acceptance of dependency (if employee will engage) is not suitable for long term treatment.

Alcohol dependency tends to be a relapsing/remitting disease with 4 identified stages of recovery an each stage can take months to years rather than weeks and this needs to be conveyed in the report so that all involved have realistic expectations.  I have that derailed in some stock phrases on my laptop that I can dig out later if you'd like?

Carr

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