| Non-traditional alcoholism treatment methods have | | | | original Bill W./Dr. Bob profile. |
| always recognized that 12 Step models work for | | | | Additionally, treatment programs which fail to address |
| some individuals but not for most, at least not for very | | | | differences in how individuals process information will |
| long. The problem is that nothing else seems to either. | | | | also suffer. In the 1960's and 1970's Dr. Jane Loevinger, |
| Designing effective treatment for individuals turns out | | | | at Washing University in St. Louis, developed a model |
| to be a complicated business that must take into | | | | of adult development. Working with Dr. Loevinger's test |
| account many variables in ways that don't easily lend | | | | protocol in Minnesota and Alaska in the 1990's, Dr. Ed |
| themselves to any particular model. As a result most | | | | Wilson referenced developmental levels to 12 Step |
| programs offer little beyond "don't drink, go to | | | | success, along with identification of those clients for |
| meetings, work your program, and repeat - forever." | | | | whom traditional treatment was apt to be ineffective |
| It's also difficult to remember that people have been | | | | as well as those for whom it is frequently |
| quitting drinking for as long as alcohol has existed. | | | | counter-productive. |
| Some individuals quit when their doctor suggests it's | | | | As noted, the development of comprehensive and |
| time; others when spouses threaten to leave; a few | | | | effective treatment plans for individuals is challenging |
| when they collect their first DUI with all of the | | | | and multi-faceted. Paradoxically, including |
| attendant costs and embarrassment; and still more just | | | | developmental levels as another variable actually |
| because they decide to. They quit with or without help | | | | makes things simpler - if not easy. It allows the clinician |
| or programs or meetings. | | | | to rapidly determine the client's suitability for 12 Step |
| So, what happened? | | | | programs; calculates the initial effective proportions of |
| Historically, most current treatment methods grew out | | | | the cognitive/behavioral therapeutic mix; indicates the |
| of the experiences of two intractable alcoholics, Bill W. | | | | proper "half-stage" of distance to maintain so that the |
| and Dr. Bob. They discovered a way that worked | | | | client feels neither patronized nor mystified; and the |
| when nothing else had for them, thus giving birth to AA | | | | likeliest methods of avoiding relapse. |
| and the 12 Steps. And that way was generalized by | | | | Developmental considerations do not, of course, offer |
| treatment providers to individuals whose personal | | | | any miracles. Effective treatment will still require |
| characteristics are far different from Bill and Bob, two | | | | conscientious therapists who are neither wedded to |
| white, male, middleclass, middle-aged, drunks. | | | | any particular model nor hampered by their own |
| Despite marketing to the contrary, alcoholism is not an | | | | history. Additionally, with time and trust, clients are apt |
| equal opportunity disease. Its prevalence varies | | | | to reveal higher cognitive levels that necessitate |
| drastically depending on age, ethnicity, geography, | | | | continuous adjustment to the treatment plan. But that |
| income, education, religion, and many other factors. | | | | is, after all, the definition of "professional," isn't it? |
| Treatment which fails to take these factors into | | | | Good therapeutic services are not static and neither |
| account is far less likely to be successful than | | | | are people. To suggest as much, as in never ending |
| methods which do. As a result, 12 Step success tends | | | | "recovery," is to do a disservice to conscientious |
| to correlate to how closely the client matches the | | | | clinicians and clients alike. |