Wednesday, March 9, 2011

History of alcohol treatment

Since health sector was not as advanced in the past as it is today, the treatment facilities offered for alcoholism and drug abuse were limited and not too effective.

Disease model and twelve-step program
Twelve-step program was initially published in “Alcoholics Anonymous” back in 1939. The book was the only one presenting this model at that time. This was much debated by those who were opposed to religious or spiritual methods. The people who were against it, proved it in the light of psychological and legal principles. Despite criticism the method was effective and maintained an abstinence from alcohol in the addicts for about one complete year. But for others who were suffering from illicit substance abuse did not get so many benefits from this treatment. As far as the addicts of opioids were concerned, this programs was of no use to them as it failed to generate the desired results.


Psychoanalysis
Sigmund Freud developed a therapeutic approach known as psychoanalysis for the diagnosis of almost all of the mental disorders ranging from simple to complicated ones. This man also gave an explanation of substance abuse which reveals the causes behind its addiction and the role of unconscious mind. The drugs that are specifically used to treat this problem were also mentioned by him. Social cognitive theory is in a sheer contradiction with it, according to which the man is the controller of his thinking patterns and cognitive environment.

Client-centered approach
Carl Rogers presented three conditions for personal change in his book “Client-Centered Therapy”:
  1. Unconditional positive regard
  2. Accurate empathy and
  3. Genuineness.
He was of the view that the presence of these three elements can help an addict overcome alcohol abuse and other related problems.

Behavioral counseling
This is also an important part of any treatment program for alcoholism and drug abuse. It involves the addict as well as his family. This approach has is being used worldwide since it is more effective.

Apart from this, many theories and hypotheses were developed by the psychologists in the past that led to the modern day treatment programs. The methods at present will certainly be a basis for new techniques in this field in the coming few decades and the cycle will keep going.

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