QUESTION:

I was told that my client’s recovery from TBI will be much slower because he was intoxicated at the time of the injury. I know that alcohol consumption after the injury can compromise recovery, but I had never heard that alcohol at the time of injury could delay recovery. Is this accurate?

QUESTION:

As a drug and alcohol counselor at an inpatient program, I do not usually work with people with brain injuries. However, I have been assigned a patient with traumatic brain injury and cognitive deficits, and I need some advice on how to help him. Our facility uses a 12-step approach to rehabilitation with individual counseling and educational groups. Is this traditional approach appropriate for someone experiencing the effects of traumatic brain injury? Are there special provisions we should make for this patient?

QUESTION:

My doctor strictly advised me not to consume alcohol (or any other non-prescription drugs) since my brain injury. He said the negative effects of alcohol and drugs would be magnified several times in my case, since my brain sustained permanent damage. What exactly does this mean? Would a few beers cause further brain damage?