Alcohol Addiction Programs

Alcohol Dependence is a disorder that affects approximately 12% of the population. It is considered a substance-related disorder on the DSM-IV and is characterized by persistent dysfunction in multiple areas of life and physiological dependence. There are many treatment options for individuals struggling with Alcohol Dependence.

12 Step Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs

Group therapy is one great component of many alcohol treatment options.

The concept of the Twelve Steps was first created by Alcoholics Anonymous. This organization continues to be the most popular Twelve Step program, although other groups have adopted the premise. Particular emphasis is placed upon the spiritual manifestations of addiction, and the participant is encouraged to address the spiritual issue of self-centeredness through a spiritual awakening. The individual generally attends support meetings and adopts a sponsor, a person who uses the Twelve Steps himself and has a history of success in the program. Alcoholics Anonymous has sister programs, Al-Anon and Alateen, to address the needs of families who are affected by alcohol dependence.

Non 12 Step Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs

Some addictions professionals take the opposite approach to treating addiction. This alternative paradigm takes issue with the Twelve Step notion that addiction renders the individual powerless and in need of a higher power to rescue the individual from the addiction. Non Twelve Steppers place a strong emphasis on personal choice, empowerment, and the intellectual aspects of recovery. Indeed, many of the Non Twelve Step programs include verbiage such as “rational,” “practical,” and “smart” in the names of their programs, emphasizing the area of the addict’s life upon which they focus. Non Twelve Step programs generally offer the individual seeking treatment the personal option of viewing addiction through the disease model or, alternatively, as a maladaptive behavior pattern.

Residential Treatment Programs

Residential Treatment Programs offer alcohol dependent individuals the highest level of treatment. These programs remove the individual from his or her regular environment, eliminating the distractions of daily life, and provide a structured model of services. Residential programs are staffed with medical professionals, clinical therapists, and addictions counselors and employ a wide variety of modalities including medication, psychotherapy, psycho-education, and behavioral interventions. Many such programs serve the dually-diagnosed population, individuals who qualify for diagnosis under substance dependence guidelines, as well as guidelines for co-occurring mental health disorders. Many residential programs offer Detox facilities for individuals who experience physiological withdrawal and specific services for incarcerated individuals and criminal offenders.

Alcohol Intervention Programs

One of the most controversial treatment options is termed an Intervention. During this process, an individual struggling with addiction attends a meeting with concerned family members and friends, under the guidance of an addiction professional, for the purpose of securing the individual’s assent to seek treatment, usually in a residential setting. This method of addressing alcohol dependence receives much media attention and, when effective, provides individuals with the motivation to attend treatment.

Alcohol Dependence is a serious disorder. The various treatment options available for affected individuals allow the individual to work with professionals in a way that is tailored to his or her specific needs.