An English-speaking alcohol and other drugs rehabilitation consultant meets with a Chinese-speaking client referred for assessment following a drink-driving offence.
- Consultant · turn 1
Good morning, Mr Wang. I’m one of the alcohol and other drugs consultants here. According to your referral, you were required to attend an assessment following a recent drink-driving offence. I can also see that you had an appointment with us about three weeks ago, but you cancelled it. Is that right?
王先生，早上好。我是這裡的酒精及其他藥物顧問。根據轉介資料，你因最近一次酒後駕駛違法行為而被要求接受評估。我也看到你大約三週前曾預約，但後來取消了，對嗎？
- Mr Wang · turn 2
對，是這樣。其實上次我都已經準備出門了，但是一想到要來戒酒中心，我心裏就有點害怕，最後還是臨陣退縮了。我家庭醫生後來勸了我好幾次，說我不能再拖下去，所以今天我才鼓起勇氣過來。
Yes. Last time I was ready to leave home, but the thought of coming to an alcohol rehabilitation centre frightened me, and I backed out at the last moment. My GP subsequently urged me several times not to delay any longer, so today I finally found the courage to come.
- Consultant · turn 3
I understand. Coming in for an assessment can be confronting, particularly if you’re not sure what the program involves. Today isn’t about judging you or forcing you into treatment. I’d first like to understand your drinking pattern, how long it’s been going on, and whether alcohol has started affecting your health or everyday life.
我明白。前來接受評估可能令人不安，尤其當你不清楚計劃內容時。今天的目的不是批判你或強迫你接受治療。我想先了解你的飲酒模式、持續了多久，以及酒精是否已開始影響你的健康或日常生活。
- Mr Wang · turn 4
我以前真的沒有覺得自己有酒癮。剛開始就是跟朋友出去吃飯的時候喝一點，後來工作壓力越來越大，我下班回家也會喝。這幾年酒量越來越大，慢慢就變成習慣了，有時候一天不喝反而覺得渾身不自在。
I genuinely did not think I was dependent on alcohol before. Initially, I only drank a little when dining with friends. Later, as work pressure increased, I also drank after returning home. My consumption has increased over the past few years and gradually become a habit. Sometimes I feel physically uncomfortable if I go a day without drinking.
- Consultant · turn 5
That gradual increase is quite common with alcohol dependence. People can develop tolerance, which means they need larger amounts of alcohol to get the same effect. Have you noticed any changes in your memory, concentration, mood or behaviour since your drinking increased?
這種逐步增加的情況在酒精依賴中很常見。人會產生耐受性，即需要更多酒精才能得到相同效果。自從飲酒量增加後，你有沒有察覺記憶力、專注力、情緒或行為方面的變化？
- Mr Wang · turn 6
有，而且最近特別明顯。我記性差了很多，有時候別人剛跟我說完的事情，我轉頭就忘了。工作的時候也很難集中精神，腦子好像反應比以前慢。脾氣也變得很暴躁，一點小事就容易發火。我太太經常說我喝完酒之後就像變了一個人。
Yes, particularly recently. My memory has deteriorated considerably; sometimes I immediately forget what someone has just told me. I also struggle to concentrate at work, and my mind seems slower than before. I have become irritable and lose my temper over minor matters. My wife often says I become a different person after drinking.
- Consultant · turn 7
Those symptoms are concerning because prolonged heavy drinking can affect the brain and nervous system. Alcohol slows the activity of neurons and interferes with the transmission of signals in the brain. Over time, it can particularly affect the frontal cortex, which plays an important role in judgement, decision-making, concentration and emotional control.
這些症狀令人擔憂，因為長期大量飲酒會影響大腦和神經系統。酒精會減慢神經元活動，干擾腦內訊號傳遞。久而久之，它尤其會影響對判斷、決策、專注和情緒控制十分重要的額葉皮層。
- Mr Wang · turn 8
難怪我最近總覺得腦子不太好使。我本來還以為只是年紀大了或者睡眠不好。那這些問題如果我現在開始戒酒，還能恢復嗎？我最擔心的是會不會已經造成永久性的損傷。
No wonder my mind has not seemed to function properly recently. I thought it was simply ageing or poor sleep. If I stop drinking now, can these problems improve? My greatest concern is whether permanent damage has already occurred.
- Consultant · turn 9
Some effects can improve considerably once a person stops drinking and their body has time to recover, but it depends on how much they’ve been drinking and for how long. Heavy alcohol use can also damage other organs, particularly the liver. In severe cases, prolonged damage can lead to cirrhosis, and some of that damage may be irreversible.
停止飲酒並讓身體有時間康復後，某些影響可以大幅改善，但這取決於飲酒量和持續時間。大量飲酒亦會損害其他器官，尤其是肝臟。嚴重情況下，長期損害可導致肝硬化，而部分損害可能無法逆轉。
- Mr Wang · turn 10
聽你這麼說，我真的有點害怕。我這兩年身體也確實比以前差了，經常覺得很累，好像免疫力也下降了，動不動就生病。但是我以前一直覺得喝酒只是傷肝，沒想到連大腦和神經都會受到影響。
Hearing that genuinely frightens me. My health has certainly worsened over the past two years. I often feel tired, my immunity seems weaker, and I become ill easily. I previously thought drinking only harmed the liver; I did not realise it also affected the brain and nerves.
- Consultant · turn 11
Unfortunately, alcohol can affect many systems in the body. What also concerns me is the impact it seems to be having on your family and employment. Your referral mentions that you’ve had some difficulties at work. Would you be comfortable telling me what has happened?
很遺憾，酒精可影響身體多個系統。我也擔心它似乎正影響你的家庭和工作。轉介資料提到你在工作上遇到一些困難。你願意告訴我發生了甚麼事嗎？
- Mr Wang · turn 12
我已經因為喝酒遲到過好幾次了，有一次宿醉得太厲害，乾脆沒去上班。經理已經警告過我。家裏的情況也不好，我太太跟我吵過很多次，她最生氣的是我喝了酒還開車。這次酒駕被抓以後，她真的對我非常失望。
I have been late several times because of drinking, and once my hangover was so severe that I did not go to work at all. My manager has warned me. Things at home are also poor. My wife has argued with me many times and is most angry that I drove after drinking. She was deeply disappointed after I was caught drink-driving.
- Consultant · turn 13
It sounds as though the consequences are becoming quite significant. The drink-driving conviction may have been what brought you here, but treatment is really about addressing the underlying alcohol dependence and reducing the risk of further harm to you and the people around you.
看來後果正變得相當嚴重。酒後駕駛定罪可能是你來到這裡的原因，但治療真正的目的是處理潛在的酒精依賴，並降低你和身邊的人進一步受害的風險。
- Mr Wang · turn 14
我明白。我也不是沒有想過戒酒，只是每次最多堅持幾天，後來又忍不住開始喝。我有時候真的覺得是自己意志力太薄弱，自制力太差。是不是我這種人本來就很難戒掉？
I understand. I have considered stopping, but each time I last only a few days before drinking again. Sometimes I truly feel that my willpower and self-control are too weak. Is it inherently difficult for someone like me to stop?
- Consultant · turn 15
I wouldn’t describe dependence as simply a lack of willpower. There can be both psychological and physical components to alcohol dependence. Once drinking becomes strongly associated with stress relief or particular routines, cravings and withdrawal symptoms can make stopping much more difficult than simply deciding not to drink.
我不會把依賴簡單形容為缺乏意志力。酒精依賴可以同時涉及心理和生理因素。當飲酒與紓緩壓力或特定生活習慣緊密相連，渴求和戒斷症狀會令戒酒遠比單純決定不喝困難。
- Mr Wang · turn 16
那你們這裏到底是怎麼治療的？是不是要吃很多藥？我還有點擔心，這種戒酒中心會不會像我在電視上看到的戒毒所一樣，要把人關在裏面幾個星期，完全不能出去？
How exactly do you provide treatment here? Will I have to take a lot of medication? I am also concerned that an alcohol rehabilitation centre might be like the drug rehabilitation facilities I have seen on television, where people are confined for several weeks and cannot leave at all.
- Consultant · turn 17
Not necessarily. The appropriate treatment depends on your individual circumstances. Some people can be treated through an outpatient program and continue living at home. Others may need medically supervised withdrawal, particularly if there’s a risk of serious withdrawal symptoms. Medication can sometimes be used, but counselling and behavioural strategies are also important parts of treatment.
不一定。適當的治療取決於個人情況。有些人可參加門診計劃並繼續住在家中；另一些人可能需要在醫療監督下戒斷，尤其當他們有出現嚴重戒斷症狀的風險時。有時可以使用藥物，但輔導和行為策略也是治療的重要部分。
- Mr Wang · turn 18
如果可以住在家裏，我會比較放心。我還要工作，也不想讓家裏人太擔心。不過我最怕的就是戒了一段時間之後又開始喝。以前我也試過，心情不好的時候，朋友一叫我出去喝酒，我就又控制不住自己了。
I would feel more reassured if I could live at home. I still need to work and do not want my family to worry too much. However, my greatest fear is drinking again after abstaining for a while. I have tried before, but whenever I felt unhappy and friends invited me out for drinks, I lost control again.
- Consultant · turn 19
That’s why rehabilitation doesn’t finish when the initial withdrawal period ends. We work with clients to identify their triggers, develop strategies for managing cravings and establish healthier ways of coping with stress. We also provide ongoing after-care and follow-up because relapse prevention is an important part of long-term recovery.
所以復康不會在最初的戒斷期結束時終止。我們會協助客戶識別誘因、制定應對酒精渴求的策略，並建立更健康的壓力應對方式。我們亦提供持續的後續護理和跟進，因為預防復飲是長期康復的重要部分。
- Mr Wang · turn 20
這樣聽起來比我原來想像的全面。我以前一直以為戒酒就是靠自己忍住，只要不碰酒就行。現在才知道還要處理心理依賴和那些讓我想喝酒的原因。
That sounds more comprehensive than I had imagined. I used to think stopping drinking simply meant relying on myself to resist alcohol. Now I understand that psychological dependence and the reasons that make me want to drink must also be addressed.
- Consultant · turn 21
Exactly. We’ll develop a treatment plan with you rather than expecting you to manage everything on your own. We may also recommend that you see your GP for blood tests and a general health assessment, particularly to check your liver function and any other health problems associated with long-term alcohol use.
正是如此。我們會與你共同制定治療計劃，而不是要求你獨自處理一切。我們也可能建議你向家庭醫生求診，接受驗血和一般健康評估，尤其是檢查肝功能及其他與長期飲酒有關的健康問題。
- Mr Wang · turn 22
好，我願意配合。其實這次酒駕之後，我也想了很多。如果再這樣下去，不只是身體會出問題，可能工作和家庭都保不住。我想正式參加你們的康復課程。請問我要怎麼報名？
All right, I am willing to cooperate. I have reflected a great deal since this drink-driving incident. If this continues, not only will my health suffer, but I may also lose my job and family. I would like to formally join your rehabilitation program. How do I enrol?
- Consultant · turn 23
We can start the enrolment process today. I’ll give you an application form and, once we’ve completed the assessment, we’ll discuss which treatment options are most appropriate for you. There’s also an information booklet explaining the program, withdrawal management and the support available to family members.
我們今天便可開始登記程序。我會給你一份申請表；完成評估後，我們會討論哪些治療方案最適合你。我們也有一本資訊手冊，說明計劃、戒斷管理和為家人提供的支援。
- Mr Wang · turn 24
那太好了。麻煩你也給我一份那個介紹資料，我想帶回去給我太太看看。她這段時間一直很擔心我。如果她知道這裏有專業人員幫我，而且後面還有長期跟進，她應該也能放心一點。
That is excellent. Please also give me a copy of that information to take home to my wife. She has been very worried about me. If she knows professionals here are helping me and that long-term follow-up is available, she should feel more reassured.
- Consultant · turn 25
Certainly. Family support can be very helpful during recovery, provided you’re comfortable involving her. Take the booklet home and discuss it with her. For now, let’s complete the application form and then we’ll go through your alcohol use and medical history in a little more detail.
當然可以。如果你願意讓太太參與，家人的支持在康復期間會很有幫助。請把手冊帶回家與她討論。現在我們先填寫申請表，然後再更詳細地了解你的飲酒情況和病歷。
- Mr Wang · turn 26
好的。既然我今天已經來了，我就不想再逃避了。我會把表格填好，也會按照你們的安排接受治療。希望這一次我真的能把酒戒掉，慢慢把自己的生活恢復正常。
All right. Since I have come today, I no longer want to avoid the issue. I will complete the form and accept treatment according to your arrangements. I hope that this time I can truly stop drinking and gradually return my life to normal.
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