| For the first time since the 1970's substantial changes | | | | one to four weeks, tapering off over time. The level |
| in the treatment of alcohol abuse, dependency, and | | | | will depend on the program duration and that should be |
| addiction are emerging. With traditional Minnesota | | | | negotiable. You can manage a huge amount in short |
| Model - so called 12-Step - based treatment producing | | | | order when the focus is on you, not the |
| success rates below 15% it was time for something to | | | | accommodations, chefs, spas, and other fluff and frills. |
| change. Yet it isn't obvious if you're someone looking | | | | Following the intense restructuring of your behaviors |
| for help. Vested interests in the treatment industry | | | | there will be a period of adjustment, experimentation, |
| keep the ad copy flowing and impressions of success | | | | accommodation, and sorting. That can be done in |
| in place. | | | | person or by phone and the internet (after in person, |
| But change is occurring none-the-less. A careful | | | | phone is best, voices communicate much more than |
| search of the web will yield real alternatives not just in | | | | instant messaging and chat rooms are even worse |
| philosophy, but even in outcomes, moderation rather | | | | than groups, avoid both). |
| than abstinence, for example, or in the notion that one | | | | This development period can be expected to last up |
| can actually recover, not be "in recovery" forever. | | | | to twelve weeks and by the time it's over you should |
| Additionally, good counseling programs have developed | | | | know what's possible in your particular case and how |
| that deliver intensive short-term outpatient programs | | | | to achieve it. You should be well on your way. |
| that far surpass the therapeutic offerings of any | | | | The final adjusting and settling in, the cementing of new |
| residential programs. | | | | behaviors, patterns, and opportunities will probably last |
| How does this work? | | | | another eight or ten months. During this period you |
| For the most part residential programs offer some | | | | may need little or no help, or you may just like being |
| individual assessment and planning but the majority of | | | | able to check back and get the occasional |
| the offerings follow a "group" structure that merely | | | | reassurance, advice, opinion, or congratulations. |
| recycles 12-Step/AA meeting formats. Most clients | | | | Whatever you need along these lines shouldn't be a |
| pay for the surroundings, accommodations, status (yes, | | | | problem. |
| there is status to be had in rehabbing with Lindsey and | | | | All of this process can be done quickly, efficiently, and |
| Liz and Robert and...) and luxury. But none of that is | | | | most of it can be accomplished from afar. Only a |
| going to help you much when you get back to your | | | | week or two is necessary to do the assessing and |
| real life with a farewell handshake and instructions to | | | | create the foundation and a good working professional |
| work your program. Good luck. | | | | relationship with a competent counselor. All told you |
| On the other hand, with neither groups nor a | | | | should be able to manage it from anywhere in the |
| preordained "program," or a single focus outcome, | | | | country for less than the cost of a first DUI/DWI. You |
| good outpatient programs can only thrive by serving | | | | should emerge with a new sense of your capabilities |
| clients. This can only be done by paying attention to | | | | and a better life. That's what good services should |
| client preferences, strengths, interests, and problems | | | | provide. |
| and addressing these individually, one client at a time. | | | | Do the research, make the calls, examine the details, |
| It's intense, exciting, difficult, sometimes painful, and | | | | see how it feels. Explore options and possibilities. Then |
| always unique and creative - if it's any good. | | | | let others work with you to make it happen. |
| The best programs will be very intense in the beginning | | | | |