Welcome to “A Different Side of Treatment”
March 7th, 2008
A GoodTherapy.org Featured Column written by Mary Ellen Barnes, Ph.D. & Ed Wilson, Ph.D., MAC
Click here to contact Mary Ellen and/or see her Profile
Click here to contact Ed and/or see his Profile
Between us, we have been helping people get over alcohol related problems for over twenty years. Sometimes it’s his or her own use, sometimes a friend’s, family member’s, or employee’s. We’ve always helped each client to find their own unique solution to whatever troubled them. In the course of thrashing around looking for these individual answers we’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t and for whom.
The first lesson learned is that nothing works for very many people – AA and the other 12-Step based programs have about a 5% abstinence rate over one year, and less than 1% over five years. Other one-size-fits-all and abstinence based programs have similar rates as far as anyone can tell.
The second lesson is that a lot of people get better on their own – perhaps as many as a third or more of “alcoholics” in any given year. They just don’t talk about it. Like ex-smokers, it’s no longer an issue, concern, or interest.
Third, successful behavior change is pretty much the same whether quitting or moderating drinking, or weight, smoking, or any other significant life alteration. People who succeed find ways to motivate themselves, with or without outside help, believe they can change, find support that works for them, assume responsibility, and act. Professionals can help with the process, but we can also do more harm than good by promoting debunked concepts such as “powerlessness” and “disease” models that only serve to justify relapse and victim status. Unhappily, that’s exactly what most of us do when it comes to clients with “addiction” problems.
We are, of course, well aware that many people do not wish to accept responsibility for either their behaviors or changing them. We’ll always have the clients whose interest lies only in appearing to want to change. For them there are plenty of programs happy to help. But, as ethical, caring, competent, professionals, we don’t have to help with that charade.
In addition to direct services to a wide array of clients, we are always involved in research, outreach, education, and community service. The columns we write here will undoubtedly follow those priorities and activities, beginning with the next one describing the various levels of alcohol involvement we typically see in clients and others and what the prospects for change are.
We hope that you will find our columns thoughtful as well as thought provoking, and that you will help us by responding and debating and asking. We don’t have all of the answers and we continue to look for more. We’re sure you’ve found many we haven’t.
For more information about Mary Ellen Barnes, Ph.D. & Ed Wilson, Ph.D., MAC visit http://www.non12step.com
©Copyright 2008 by Edward Wilson, Ph.D., MAC, therapist in Rolling Hills Estates, CA. All Rights Reserved.
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6 Comments | Click here to leave a comment.
Comments
I think it’s very interesting that so many people get better that we never hear about. Those who have gone through 12 step programs tend to be pretty vocal about it, in my experience. I work w/ children rather than adults, so I guess my view isn’t necessarily a full one. But, it is a thought I hadn’t had before. Maybe those who go through AA successfully get so much attention b/c the vocal types respond well to that type of intervention program. Thanks for helping me look at this issue in another way.
I think it’s interesting that the authors view using a term such as “disease” to define alcoholism does more harm than good. When I think about it, though, it does make sense. People must choose to “get over” their addictions. Even though this is difficult, it is possible. On the other hand, someone w/ a disease such as cancer does not have the option to choose to change his or situation. He or she can’t make cancer stop. Cancer victims do have power in that they can decide how to view their situation. But, they do not have the power to make cancer go away as an addict can choose to stop drinking, smoking, etc.
Glad to hear that you are involved in research. I think that those who practice therapy should also remain as involved as research as they were in their college years, if not more so. If we don’t involve ourselves in research, we can only learn from others. Learning from the works of our own hands is indeed a powerful thing.
I do believe that alcoholism is a disease. But, I don’t think it’s a disease for the addict. I think it’s a disease for those around the person, excluding the enablers. For those who try to help in positive, constructive ways, alcoholism is just as much a disease as Angie states cancer is. Those involved can change the way they think about the alcoholic, but they can’t change the alcoholic himself.
My uncle had a severe drinking problem until one day he got very ill, had to be rushed to the ER, and the doctor there told him that his liver was so bad that one more drink would literally take his life. Not a drop has passed his lips since that day almost 10 years ago. He certainly found his motivation!
Each person suffering from this type of addiction has to work hard to discover what motivates him and her, and it is only with this type of soul searching that I feel a real life change can be made. For some it will be a health scare, for others it will be the fear of losing their families. But for anyone to be a successful recovering addict, they must have the support of a good family system.
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