Alternative Treatment?

Talking with a colleague the other day, we discussed how the addiction treatment field is a little unique.  People often ask if we are a 12 step program (meaning, do you work clients through the steps, the big book of alcoholics anonymous, work with a sponsor and other elements of AA meetings).  When we say that i360 is not a 12 step program, we get placed by some in another category.  Our experience is that it takes a number of critical things for people to be successful, for some its 12 step programs, for some its individual/couple/family therapy, for some its medications to address serious psychiatric symptoms, for some its addiction medications to help with cravings, for some its spirituality, for some its general health interventions, for some it’s significant occupational or academic focus.  So, is Innovation 360 an alternative to traditional rehab treatment, typical alcohol programs that you find in Dallas or Ft. Worth?  Yes, we are.  Addiction research has taught our field a lot over the last 10 years.  Sadly, few addiction therapists use that information with patients.

Question and Answer: AA or not to AA?

Another in the series of “You Asked and We’re answering.”

The question we get quite a bit from clients and family members is this - Do I have to go to Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings to get sober?

Here’s your answer – No, you don’t have to go.  Every year people stop using alcohol or drugs on their own without going to AA meetings.  I’m not talking about problem drinkers or people that abuse alcohol.  I’m talking about alcohol dependent people, alcoholics.  People also stop smoking every year without formal treatment like a patch or gum.  And by the way, obese people every year lose weight without having FedEx drop off food every week.

WAIT, quick follow-up question – “Should I go to AA meetings?”

That answer is absolutely.  Every year people are able to finally stop using drugs and alcohol with the help of meetings like AA.  And every year people try to lose weight and aren’t able to do it without getting someone to help.  They go to great programs that help them finally lose weight (Places like the Cooper Clinic Wellness Program in Dallas).  And by the way, quite a bit of very good research on addictions and recovery the past decade tells us that people that include a 12-step meeting like AA in their recovery have better outcomes.

Be wild and reckless in your recovery, try the things that have helped others even when you don’t want to.  Odds are being wild and reckless is something you do well if you are addicted to drugs and alcohol.   Apply that same planning and obsessiveness to getting your life back.  Hang out with people that have done what you are trying to do.

Professionals and Addiction

Pilots and physicians have excellent recovery programs that take advantage of what  research has proven makes effective treatment. This is not the case for many other professions:  lawyers, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.

While addicted physicians and pilots do have some unique occupational traits, their programs have demonstrated that the application of research and treatment standards can lead to long-term positive outcomes. When looking for a drug and alcohol treatment program (even if you’re not an addicted lawyer or nurse), you should consider what has been successful in these programs:

1. provide consequences for termination of treatment or positive drug tests, which improves the outcome in addiction treatment.
2. frequent random drug testing (few outpatient programs include it at all, much less at the frequency it needs to be)
3. connection to abstinence-based 12-Step programs and fellowships
4. actively manage relapse by intensifying treatment and monitoring
5. sustained therapeutic contact over a long period of time improves outcomes (think months and years, not days and weeks)

If you’re interested in reading more, read “Setting the Standard for Recovery:  Physician’s Health Programs” DuPont and McLellan in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2009.

It doesn’t matter where you’re looking for rehab services:  Dallas/Ft. Worth, Frisco, Plano, anywhere in the U.S., make sure your questions for treatment include the above points because sober living is possible.

Choosing an Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program

Decades of successful treatment and research has helped to clarify many hotly debated issues. It’s difficult to determine what’s most importance in an alcohol recovery program:  using 12-Step Programs (i.e. Alcoholics Anonymous), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy, or other approaches to treatment. What we have come to realize is that all of those approaches make unique contributions in trying to overcome a drug or alcohol addiction. When it comes to overcoming something as terrible as addiction, we must look to utilize all the resources and tools available. Check out this great link on addiction treatment.