Addiction: you’re an expert too!

In the history of medicine it is sometimes said "when there are many treatments, there are none." This illustrates how the lack of one truly effective treatment provides fertile ground for countless ‘half-baked’ remedies, all competing for recognition.

Everyone becomes an expert on addiction. Politicians, celebrities, doctors, therapists, charities, former addicts, pharmaceutical companies, all have their two cents. With so many experts it’s not clear why alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling and smoking continue to ruin lives and burden the tax payer.

The arguments go back and forward. Should alcoholics abstain or learn ‘controlled drinking’? Should addiction be treated by professionals or by self-help groups like AA? Do alcoholics and addicts suffer from a genetic disease that deserves understanding, or are they simply weak or self-indulgent? Is one therapy better than another? Are governments themselves addicted to gambling revenue?

Unfortunately there is a lack of quality research to settle the arguments conclusively. What can be said is, for such an important field, it is unacceptable that we lack the science to establish the best way forward. This science vacuum allows ideology and ‘expert’ opinion to outweigh respect for evidence. We have quality outcome studies showing how to approach other disorders, but not addiction. Having said that, if we had to recommend some basic coping skills to help right now, we would suggest the model shown below. Feel free to disagree. You may be right. It comes from Jack Trimpey, author of ‘Rational Recovery’ and makes use of reframing techniques like those used in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. To find out more about how ‘Rational Recovery’ you can visit   http://www.rational.org/

Please note that Trimpey has a lot of nasty criticisms to make against other approaches, particularly self-help groups like AA. As we have said, there is a lack of evidence to settle these ‘turf wars’. 12 step programs offer enormous support to people worldwide. If you have a problem with alcohol contact AA in your capital city.   Visit   http://www.aa.org.au/

And, try the AVRT strategy below.

 

How AVRT works
(from the book and Rational Recovery website)

Below is a comprehensive, 200-word description of AVRT, providing enough information for you to end your addiction, right now.

Observe your thoughts and feelings, positive and negative, about drinking or using (drugs). Thoughts and feelings which support continued use are called the Addictive Voice (AV); those which support abstinence are you. When you recognize and understand your AV, it becomes not-you, but "it," an easily-defeated enemy that has been causing you to drink. All it wants is pleasure. "I want a drink," becomes, "It wants a drink." Think to yourself, "I will never drink again," and listen for its reaction. Your negative thoughts and feelings are your AV talking back to you. Now, think, "I will drink/use whenever I please." Your pleasant feelings are also the AV, which is in control. Recovery is not a process; it is an event. The magic word is "Never," as in, "I will never drink/use again." Recognition defeats short-term desire, and abstinence soon becomes effortless. Complete separation of "you" from "it" leads to complete recovery and hope for a better life. The only time you can drink is now, and the only time you can quit for good is right now. "I will never drink/use again," becomes, "I never drink now." It's not hard; anyone can do it.