Alcohol Abuse Advice

The Truth About Chemical Dependency

The Truth About Chemical Dependency

By

DLScott Ctha / CDP

The disease concept of chemical dependency was popularized by E.M. Jellinek in 1960. This followed the W.H.O. proclamation that Alcoholism was a serious medical problem in 1951, and the A.M.A. declared that Alcoholism was a treatable disease in 1956. It was after Jellinek popularized the idea that chemical dependency was a disease that both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association in 1965 and in 1966 began describing Alcoholism as a disease. It must be noted here that Jellinek’s proclamation was based on data he gathered from questionnaires distributed through the AA newsletter the Grapevine. Out of the original 158 questionnaires, 60 were discarded due to members collaborating on their answers. When you break this down, this means that the disease model was based on, and popularized by 78 surveys turned in by members of support group in which the members were already told that they were sick and diseased, and have no control over alcohol over other drugs.

For years the treatment for chemical dependency has been primarily based on The Minnesota model which was introduced by Hazelden’s in 1949. What started as a guest house for alcoholic men has blossomed into the primary method of treating addiction. In all fairness I would like to say that Hazelden’s Minnesota model offered an alternative to jails, mental wards, or homelessness for alcoholics, and drug addicts.

During the sixties, chemical dependency treatment agencies flourished, and at the center of each of these agencies was the Minnesota model which was directly linked to the 12 step model. The important thing to keep in mind here is that 12 step models promote the idea of powerlessness, that an addict has no control over his or her addiction and it is only with the continued participation in 12 step that one can hope to keep the drug at bay. As I have often told my clients, I have never known anyone to walk into a room, and see either a glass of alcohol or their favorite drug leap up off the table and either slam itself down their throats or into their veins, forcing them to get high. Being an addict to any substance or behavior makes it harder to choose not to pick up that drink or that drug, but being an addict does not take away your ability to choose.

For many years, the recovering addict would go into treatment, become a 12 step booster, and then take a series of 8 classes which allowed them to become certified as a Chemical Dependency Counselor, and then begin a career in which they taught the same philosophy that helped them to quit drinking, “I am powerless over alcohol, or drugs”, and only by surrendering to a higher power or authority, can I be saved”.

After working in the field for over 18 years I have seen people on both ends of the spectrum. Those who have completely turned in their addiction to substances and replaced it with an addiction to the powerlessness model. I have witnessed people who have been members of a 12 step group for over 20 years, actually go into a panic because it is coming up on their 12 step birthday, (the anniversary date of their last use of substances), and due to the beliefs of their program they know for a fact that they are going to have to fight and struggle because the substance is calling to them and they are going to use no matter what they do. I have also seen those who take a different route, those who reclaim their power over their lives, those who learn skills and tools to help them make better choices in their lives, and leave behind the substances that once caused them so much trouble in their lives.

I have witnessed many people who have not had a drink or used a drug in years, be able to have a sip of wine or champagne on that occasional New Years eve, and have not, as the Minnesota model claims, gone right back to their addictive way of using.

How is this? How can one person live their lives in fear of something outside of themselves, and another recognize that something outside of themselves is simply that, something outside of themselves that no longer calls to them or effects them in the same way that it once did.

Addiction is stated as a biological, social, psychological issue. It only stands to reason that ingesting any substance or drug can cause physical issues and the first thing to do is to address those physical issues. I can’t not stress strongly enough that if someone has been using a substance to such a degree, that they are facing detoxification issues, then the physical issues must be addressed by a medically competent provider.

Once these issues have been addressed then the next step is too address the social and psychological issues. This can be done in a variety of ways, but the most lasting and most powerful is to help the addict regain the power in their lives. Teaching skills and tools that will allow the client to achieve the type of life that they want and desire. Some of the strongest methods of doing this are Hypnosis, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Emotional Release Therapy. With new skills and tools in place there is nothing that can not be accomplished by the newly recovered addict.

Hypnosis is one of the fastest growing methods around for the treatment of chemical dependency, it has been shown to be effective in increasing self worth, self esteem, eliminating unwanted habits and compulsions. With the use of hypnosis people have been able to accomplish goals, and manifest things in their lives that they only dreamed about before. I have been both a Chemical Dependency Counselor and Hypnotherapist for over 18 years, helping people change their lives and eliminate unwanted drug addictions from nicotine, alcohol, and Crystal Meth, all through the power of their own minds.

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