A Visit to a Detoxification Centre in Warsaw

Abstract

20 ment. The reason seems to be that brief but more concentrated intervention can be more effective than a longer'but more diluted version. In some respects it is akin to comparing a ton of bricks with a ton of feathers; although the volume is different the overall weight is the same. The after-effects of being bombarded with a ton of bricks, moreover, would be more lasting than the same experience with an equal weight of feathers; Reid and Shyne go on to relate that from their own study, plus other works, there is empirical evidence to suggest that:1. Planned short-term involvement yields results as good and possibly better than long-term treatment.2. Improvement as a result of planned short-term involvement seems to be relatively lasting, i.e. she relapse rate is no higher than long-term.3. Short-term work can be done with most types of cases if its objectives are limited.There is no reason why short-term involvement should be confined to one-to-one situations. It can be used in any of the situations in which we work-marital partners, families or groups. Its underlying assumptions are non-partisan and can be used with any social work method or type of casework, whether psychoanalytic, task-centred, behaviourist, etc. If some of the items referred to above were implemented the total work load of the Service would change. Turnover of clients would be higher and if properly planned more time would be available for other areas of work and specialist interests. Workloads seem once again to be increasing in traditional areas in addition to new responsibilities being allocated to the Service. Limitations on recruitment will mean that these increases in work will not be matched by an increase in establishment and so the only way in which this growth can be coped with will be to make a thorough assessment of the use of our existing resources; in particular, how we spend our time with clients. By using that time more consciously we would be more proficient, -not less, and clients would benefit. One thing is certain-any time that is saved can certainly be put to some other useful task.