Helping other Alcoholics and Relapse

The specific mechanisms of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that mobilize and sustain behavior change are poorly understood.

This study examined the relationship between helping other alcoholics in AA and relapse in the year following treatment for alcohol use disorders. Data were derived from a longitudinal investigation of the efficacy of three behavioral treatments for alcohol abuse and dependence (Project MATCH). Probabilities of time to alcohol relapse were calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. Proportional hazards regressions, with control for number of AA meetings attended, were conducted to determine whether the likelihood of relapse was lower for those who were helping other alcoholics.

those who were helping other alcoholics . . . were significantly less likely to relapse in the year following treatment

Age was the only demographic characteristic that distinguished participants involved in helping other alcoholics; those who were helping other alcoholics were, on average, 3 years older than those who were not helping alcoholics and were significantly less likely to relapse in the year following treatment, independent of the number of AA meetings attended.

Thus recovering alcoholics who help other alcoholics (mutual-help) maintain long-term sobriety after formal treatment are better able to maintain their own sobriety.

The authors conclude that clinicians who treat substance abuse disorders should encourage their clients to help other recovering alcoholics to stay sober.

Research report; Pagano ME, Friend KB, Tonigan JS, and Stout RL. Helping other alcoholics in alcoholics anonymous and drinking outcomes: Findings from Project MATCH. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 65(6):766-773, November 2004.

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People with alcohol-use disorders attempt suicide at a rate six to 10 times greater than the general population, according to researchers at Martin Luther University in Halle, Germany.

UPI reported April 24 that studies have shown that up to 40 percent of people seeking treatment for alcohol problems had attempted suicide. The German study was based on assessments and interviews of 376 alcohol patients, 55 percent of whom were found to have a personality disorder, and 25 percent of whom had attempted suicide at least once.

This research study appears in the May 2006 issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research

From JoinTogether.org

The Practical Art of Suicide Assessment: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals and Substance Abuse Counselors by Shawn Christopher Shea Read more about this title…

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The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has established through years of clinical research the effectiveness of the following interventions to treat alcohol problems.

Professional delivery of these interventions follows established protocols that have been published in manual form.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) primarily targets alcohol dependent individuals. It assumes that alcoholism is learned problematic behavior that begins and continues with the patient’s distorted belief that alcohol helps him or her cope with stress.

CBT therapists usually try to change how a patient thinks about alcohol, and to assist a patient in identifying stressful situations and alternative ways of coping with these situations. CBT allows patients to establish the goals of treatment. These can range from controlled drinking to abstinence.

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) targets all problem drinkers, including alcohol dependent individuals.

It is based on principles of motivational psychology and focuses on increasing a patient’s internal motivation to change his or her drinking behavior.

MET doesn’t try to guide the patient through recovery step-by-step. Instead, it uses objective feedback and empathic listening techniques to influence positive change.

MET is a less intensive intervention, requiring only four sessions to complete.

Twelve-step facilitation therapy (TSF) primarily targets alcohol dependent individuals. It is grounded in the concept of alcoholism as spiritual and medical disease.

Patients are encouraged to accept an alcoholic identity and to become involved in support group activities (going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, getting a sponsor and working the 12 steps of AA). Abstinence is the goal of TSF.

Behavioral marital therapy (BMT) and other couples and family therapies primarily target alcohol-dependent individuals.

They recognize that spouses, significant others and family members of patients being treated for alcoholism can play a critical role in recovery.

These therapies seek to enhance communication between couples and among family members to improve the functioning of relationships.

This leads to longer retention in treatment for patients, longer periods of abstinence among patients, and less anxiety and enabling behavior among nonalcoholic spouses, significant others and family members.

Research Sources: Project MATCH Research Group. 1997; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 2003. List of Alcohol Interventions for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

From; www.ensuringsolutions.org

Brief-TSF follows the principles of full TSF and is designed for non-specialist healthcare workers as an earlier intervention.

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Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction

This new, 30-page, full-color booklet explains in layman’s terms how science has revolutionized the understanding of drug addiction as a brain disease that affects behavior. 

The ‘Science of Addiction’ booklet discusses the reasons people take drugs, why some people become addicted while others do not, how drugs work in the brain, and how addiction can be prevented and treated.

The booklet is available to read, download or order at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/

http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/sciofaddiction.pdf

Publication Year: 2007

Publisher

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
6001 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, md 20892
Phone: 301-443-1124
Website: http://www.nida.nih.gov

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Heath Ledger’s father and others are casting the death of the young actor as a warning about the dangers of prescription drug use.

Reacting to the New York medical examiner’s ruling that Ledger, 28, died of an accidental overdose of multiple painkillers and sedatives, the actor’s father, Kim Ledger, said, “While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath’s accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.”

The elder Ledger’s comments were reported by the Associated Press on Feb. 7. Ledger died in his New York hotel room on Jan. 22.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is looking into how Ledger acquired such a large quantity of prescription drugs, the Boston Herald reported Feb. 7. “We are working with the NYPD to identify any illegally prescribed drugs that may have been prescribed to Ledger,” said DEA spokesman Erin Mulvey.

Toxicology reports found that Ledger died from “acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine.”

See also;

Prescription Drug Overdose Becomes Big Killer

Taking Oxycodone / Oxycontin Safely

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Alcoholics Anonymous, The recovery from alcoholism: Twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

AA is a self-help, volunteer organization begun in the mid-1930s that views alcoholism as a disease, not a defect of will.

Its founders, themselves alcoholics, maintained that persons with the disease should completely stop drinking, but they did not concern those who could handle alcohol.

This position contrasted with the premises of most temperance advocates, who saw drinking as a moral choice and opposed any alcohol use by anyone.

The Twelve Steps embody the wisdom of the founders of AA about pursuing ongoing recovery from alcoholism.

The procedure they describe has evolved into one of the most successful programs for helping alcoholics.

Many drug treatment programs also have based themselves on this twelve-step model.

The abbreviated Twelve Steps are:

1. admission of powerlessness;
2. belief in a greater Power;
3. submission of one’s will to that Power;
4. self-examination;
5. admission of wrongs within self;
6. readiness to have God remove these faults;
7. humble prayer for removal of these short-comings;
8. list persons whom one has offended;
9. make restitution to those whom one has offended;
10. continue to take personal inventory;
11. seek through prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact with God; and
12. having realized a spiritual awakening, try to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all affairs.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) The recovery from alcoholism: Twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. In: D.F. Musto, Drugs in America: A Documentary History, New York, NY: New York University Press, 2002. 574 p. (pp. 158-159).

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Study says alcohol addiction responds to the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program

The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program for beating alcohol addiction has a long history and has helped millions of people around the world back to health.

It works as a 12-step program – the Steps being the program of the system which guide the user away from their dysfunctional relationship with drink. The 12-steps involve belief in and surrender to a ‘higher’ power which the AA people always stress need not be a formal ‘God’. So does the 12-step approach work for those who are not religious?

Those enrolled in a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous did better than those who did not.

Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Addiction Program studied a group of 227 alcoholics. Those enrolled in a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous did better than those who did not. It is the camaraderie and support you get in the 12-step program that likely provides the benefit, the researchers say.

Source; Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research August 2006

Brief-TSF will assist in referring to AA.

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