First published in 1981, here was the first review of literature on a controversial but increasingly practiced approach to the treatment of alcoholism. The authors analyse all the questions controlled drinking raises, starting with the need to examine the 'disease conception' of alcoholism and 'total abstinence' treatment.
Over 50 million Americans struggle with alcohol. Is total abstinence the only answer? Chances are, you or someone you love has a drinking problem. Most of us think the only solution is the twelve-step program of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. We readily accept that alcoholism is a disease and that the only path leading to a lasting recovery is quitting cold turkey. But what if this conventional wisdom is wrong? Now, Heather Ogilvie shows that there really are alternatives to abstinence in the new paperback edition of this groundbreaking book. This balanced and unbiased look at our current methods of treating problem drinkers will open your eyes to a world of treatment options beyond AA. Readers will discover: Why current attitudes toward alcoholism stem more from folk theories than from medical evidence. How expanding treatment options will lead to greater overall recovery rates. How decades of well-established research contradict popular belief about the nature of alcoholism as an irreversible disease. Descriptions of twelve alternative treatment options that are at least as effective as twelve-step programs. A comprehensive listing of public and private organizations, as well as individual therapists, specializing in alternative or traditional treatments.Finally, Americans will be able to discuss and treat problem drinking without the misinformation that has plagued us in the past. If AA has not worked for you, there are Alternatives to Abstinence.
This book offers a real alternative to the 32 million Americans who are problem drinkers. Based on extensive scientific literature supporting moderation as a resolution for drinking problems, Responsible Drinking is the only book with research-based techniques that will help non-alcoholic readers overcome their drinking problems. This revolutionary workbook by the leading voices of the Moderation Management treatment approach starts by providing readers with definitive tools to help them discover whether they are problem drinkers or alcoholics. Readers whose problems are less severe than alcohol dependence are then helped to make an informed decision about whether to pursue moderation or to turn to abstinence. For readers who identify themselves as problem drinkers, the workbook goes on to help them then learn to moderate their drinking and develop a healthier lifestyle. By adopting goals specific to their needs, readers make a commitment, examine the negative effects of alcohol use, identify their own triggers, and learn to take control of their behavior. Inspirational words of more than fifty individuals who have faced and overcome the same problems offer guidance and support. Resources are also provided to help any reader who chooses to pursue abstinence as an objective at any stage of the program. This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit — an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.
Alcohol is a killerâ€"1 of every 13 deaths in the United States is alcohol-related. In addition, 5 percent of the population consumes 50 percent of the alcohol. The authors take a close look at the problem in a "classy little study," as The Washington Post called this book. The Library Journal states, "...[T]his is one book that addresses solutions....And it's enjoyably readable....This is an excellent review for anyone in the alcoholism prevention business, and good background reading for the interested layperson." The Washington Post agrees: the book "...likely will wind up on the bookshelves of counselors, politicians, judges, medical professionals, and law enforcement officials throughout the country."
What do we mean when we talk about addiction? This anthology of articles is designed to bring multiple perspectives to bear on that question, a pursuit made possible by the recent explosion of research on the scientific underpinnings of drug and alcohol addiction. In this collection of posts from the well-respected science blog, Addiction Inbox, you'll meet some of the researchers, and some of the new research. You'll learn about the new synthetic stimulant drugs now flooding American grey markets. And you'll hear about some of the best recent books on addiction and recovery. The articles cover health studies about drugs, addiction and alcoholism, including the most recent scientific and medical findings-plus interviews and book reviews. The Research section includes posts on a wide-ranging and controversial group of subjects, all related by an approach that highlights the underlying science and evidence-based medicine pertinent to the subject. Is shoplifting the opiate of the masses? Does menthol really matter? Can ketamine and other party drugs cause permanent bladder damage? For answers, the author looks to neuroscientists and addiction researchers, an approach that led to his earlier book, The Chemical Carousel: What Science Tells Us About Beating Addiction.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health problem in the United States. The estimated 12-month and lifetime prevalence values for AUD are 13.9% and 29.1%, respectively, with approximately half of individuals with lifetime AUD having a severe disorder. AUD and its sequelae also account for significant excess mortality and cost the United States more than $200 billion annually. Despite its high prevalence and numerous negative consequences, AUD remains undertreated. In fact, fewer than 1 in 10 individuals in the United States with a 12-month diagnosis of AUD receive any treatment. Nevertheless, effective and evidence-based interventions are available, and treatment is associated with reductions in the risk of relapse and AUD-associated mortality. The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Pharmacological Treatment of Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder seeks to reduce these substantial psychosocial and public health consequences of AUD for millions of affected individuals. The guideline focuses specifically on evidence-based pharmacological treatments for AUD in outpatient settings and includes additional information on assessment and treatment planning, which are an integral part of using pharmacotherapy to treat AUD. In addition to reviewing the available evidence on the use of AUD pharmacotherapy, the guideline offers clear, concise, and actionable recommendation statements, each of which is given a rating that reflects the level of confidence that potential benefits of an intervention outweigh potential harms. The guideline provides guidance on implementing these recommendations into clinical practice, with the goal of improving quality of care and treatment outcomes of AUD.
Interested in cutting down on your drinking without giving it up altogether? This encouraging, science-based book can help make that goal a reality. Distinguished clinician-researchers William R. Miller and Ricardo F. Muñoz have spent more than 40 years studying whether moderation works, who it works (and doesn't work) for, and how to achieve it. They give you tools to evaluate your alcohol consumption, decide what changes you want to make, and create a doable plan of action. Learn new ways to enjoy social events, defuse tension and stress, and cope with difficult emotions--with or without a glass in hand. The updated second edition incorporates the latest scientific data and features a new chapter on mindfulness. Helpful forms and worksheets can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.