Types of Alcohol Treatment Programs

Heather R. Owens

Applied Research Project

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Types of Treatment Programs

In-Patient Out-Patient Christian Based Adolescent Programs

In-Patient Treatment

This type of treatment program is best suited for the alcoholic who:

Applied Research Project Those who have tried other types of treatment programs but have

failed at maintaining sobriety Those who feel the other types of treatment are not an option for them

because they need more support or more intensive treatment

Out-Patient Treatment

Out-Patient treatment is for those who: Feel they have less severe problems (they have not

drank for a long period of time or very large amounts) Have little time to commit to an in-patient program which

can last for 28 days or more depending on the program Have completed an in-patient program and are looking

to continue in the second step of their recovery

Christian Based Treatment

Christian based treatment programs are: For those who are looking for extra guidance and

strength. For those who want added benefits such as strong

spiritual growth and leadership.

Adolescent Treatment

Adolescent treatment programs are: For adolescents who are having problems with alcohol Designed specifically for adolescents who are having

troubles in their lives and dealing with alcohol usage.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is a 12 step program that conducts meetings.

They are not affiliated with any other organization. They are self sufficient in that they are not funded by

any organization or government group. There are no dues or fees for new members, but the

program is run by contributions that the members donate.

Alcoholics Anonymous Cont.

Each group elects once or twice a year officials that make sure the meetings run smoothly.

Any one is welcome to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) open meeting.

The only requirements to attend a meeting is the desire to be sober.

There are two kinds of meetings, open and closed.

Open Meetings

Open meetings are meetings where any one may attend (www.aa.org).– People may talk about how they drank– How they heard about AA– How the program has helped them

Closed Meetings

Closed meetings are only for alcoholics (www.aa.org).– People who attend closed meetings talk about:

Their personal lives Problems they may be having regarding their drinking and

their sobriety Problems in their personal lives

– New members get to receive advice from long time members in the AA community

Twelve Step Treatment Programs

Although Alcoholics Anonymous does not run any treatment programs the Twelve Steps a the foundation of many treatment programs around the world.

Twelve Step Treatment Programs Cont.

Twelve Step Programs start by having their clients:

admit that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion;

recognize a greater power that can give strength; examine past errors with the help of a sponsor

(experienced member); make amends for these errors; learn to live a new life with a new code of behavior; help others that suffer from the same addictions or

compulsions.

Twelve Step Programs Cont.

12 step programs are spiritually based but not religiously based.

– This means that in order to gain sobriety the person has to turn over their powerlessness to a higher power (this does not mean God, just a higher power as you see it).

– 12 step programs are spiritual programs based on the principles of acknowledging one's personal insufficiency and accepting help from a higher power.

Christian Based Treatment

Programs try to fill the spiritual void which alcohol covers with a deep spiritual connection with God.

Recovery is achieved through salvation and a long-term relationship with God

McCoy,L., Hermos, J., Bokhour, B., Frayne, S. Conceptual Bases.

Holistic Therapy

Some of the holistic therapies used for addiction recovery are:– Acupuncture– Equine Therapy– Creative Arts Therapy– Biofeedback– Brainwave Biofeedback– Herbal Therapy– Plus many more.

Holistic Therapy Cont.

Acupuncture– Developed in China over 2000 years ago.– Is a system of medicine that seeks to establish

the flow and balance of energy in the body by the insertion of needles on specific points along the energy pathways.

– It is based upon the belief that blocked energy is the cause of disharmony in the body and mind and this causes the disease.

Holistic Therapy Cont.

Equine Therapy– With this therapy it is believed that people

recovering from addiction can benefit from interactions with horses.  

– Outdoor experiential therapy combines the power of nature with the benefit of forming a relationship with an animal to help build confidence, trust, patience, and self-esteem.

Holistic Therapy Cont.

Creative Arts – Provides time to get in touch with the inner self

and their Higher Power– May provide a form of expression for feelings that

can not be expressed easily or put into words– Can help raise self esteem and create a relaxed

state without the use of alcohol.– www.addictionrecoveryguide.org

Holistic Therapy Cont.

Biofeedback– A scientific way of learning tension reduction– Helps to give a person immediate feedback on

the amount of tension they have in their bodies.– People can gain psychological confidence when

they learn they can control their physiology.– Has been used in several aspects of addiction

treatment,– www.addictionrecoveryguide.org

Holistic Therapy Cont.

Brainwave Biofeedback– Also Known as Neurofeedback– A therapy where patients learn to alter their brain

wave patterns.– It is believed that the alpha and theta waves of

the brain are disrupted from long term substance abuse and brainwave biofeedback can help restore them.

– www.addictionrecoveryguide.org

Holistic Therapy Cont.

Herbal Therapy– Most commonly used in conjunction with a

complete holistic program such as nutrition, acupuncture and exercise.

– Herbs are natural botanical substances that have the potential to help with detoxification and the different symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol.

– www.addictionrecoveryguide.org

Treatments

These are just a few of the more popular treatment options for persons seeking help fro their alcohol addictions. Each type of treatment program that has been discussed has many different program facilities with their own success rates and financial obligations.

Resources Used In the Powerpoint

Alcoholics Anonymous (2009). Brief Guide to Alcoholism. Retrieved 31 October 2009, from www.aa.org.

McCoy, L., Hermos, J., Bokhour, B., Frayne, S. Conceptual bases of Christian, faith- based substance abuse rehabilitation programs: qualitative analysis of staff interviews. Substance Abuse: Official Publication Of The Association For Medical Educations And Research In Substance Abuse, 2004 Sep; 25(3)

pp1- 11. EBSCO Host. www.addictionrecoveryguide.org www.answers.com