ROLE OF SOCIAL AND PERSONAL COMPETENCIES IN RECOVERY FROM ALCOHOL ADDICTION

Abstract

Social and personal competencies within the context of recovery from alcohol dependence includes aspects of interpersonal, intrapersonal, coping and judgement skills. Competence as a concept refers to the capacity to enhance adaptive reactions to demands and make the most of opportunities in one’s surroundings. The individual enhancing their level of competency makes use of personal and environmental resources to realise a good progressive outcome. The concern for alcoholics by addiction counsellors is on the aspects that can support or help improve the ability in alcoholics to develop certain behaviour for adaptations in the short term as well as in the long term. This paper examines the role of social and personal competencies in recovery from alcohol addiction. Behavioural and Person-centred theories explore the relationship between the addiction counsellors and recovering alcoholic in the rehabilitation process while Adlerian theory focuses on re-educating individuals in the road to recovery. The discussions provide insights on the essence of the recovering alcoholic learning different and adaptive behaviours to substitute old and maladaptive ones which is a critical milestone in the road to recovery during rehabilitation. The enhancement of competencies in the making of choices among alcoholics in recovery with regard to the uptake of alcohol is critical in making positive strides towards sobriety. The enhancement of the capacity to make choices is key in realising lasting change and better management of the recovering alcoholic during and after the period of rehabilitation.