Alcohol and drug treatment has evolved quite a bit of past few decades. The first forms of alcohol and drug treatment were actually quite primitive compared to what's available today. In the dark ages it was thought that addictions were caused by demonic possession, which had many different prescribed 'cures' ranging from blood letting to being burned at the stake. In the 19th and early 20th century, alcohol and drug treatment had made some strides towards improvements as opposed to when addictions were then considered forms of insanity and the treatments of choice involved straight jackets, padded rooms, and electric shocks. Could you imagine? You have to wonder what they were thinking?
What we consider today as modern alcohol and drug treatment didn't really start until the second half of the 20th century. This was no doubt one of the well-known and often repeated '12 step' program designed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Doctors and practitioners slowly came to realize that effective alcohol and drug treatment was in fact a possibility. Some of the first forms of alcohol and drug treatment centers formed in this time were not much more than centers where the 12 step program could be taught. The treatments were actually more psychological than anything else.
Even well into the 1980's handing someone a 'big book' (the Alcoholics Anonymous guide) and telling them to go to 90 meetings in 90 days was a common and acceptable form of alcohol and drug treatment. We have made great strides from then in our understanding of what does and what does not work as far as drug and alcohol treatment is concerned.
Please don't misunderstand me, the 12 step program can be effective for some individuals. One often really wonderful things about it is that it is for a show anyone who needs to help can take advantage of, there are no economic barriers. There is no reason to pay exorbitant fees for alcohol and drug treatment only to get a copy of the big book and a list of nearby meetings. Finding listings for meetings in your area is as simple as calling on the Internet or looking through a phone book.
This doesn't mean that alcohol and drug abuse treatment isn't necessary. The treatment should be seen as a supplement to two other programs and not relied upon as a stand-alone solution. When you do decide to seek alcohol and drug abuse treatment be sure that you select one that is known for providing services beyond just 12 step model functions. I myself am a counselor and a recovering addict from my experience I can say with some confidence that the most effective way to help yourself in recovery is to try out many different forms of alcohol and drug treatment, don't limit yourself because we are all different. If you follow this advice you are sure to find at least some methods that will be effective for you.
Author: Morgan Hamilton
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