DEFINING “12-STEP” TREATMENT:

First UK survey identifies links to mainstream practices

Relating therapies applied in “12-step treatment” to those practised by mainstream professionals can ease access to effective care – and increase the workforce capacity to treat addictive disorders by thousands of qualified people. DEIRDRE BOYD reports

Sadly, too many myths about “12-step treatment” for addictive disorders are held by too many commissioners, drug- and alcohol-workers and ‘traditional’ generic psychotherapists – even Nice guidelines on Psychosocial Interventions for drug treatment confuse residential treatment with detoxification.

One damaging effect is that people desperate for help are thus not referred to the most effective, appropriate treatment for them. But if we can transparently relate the therapies applied in “12-step treatment” to those practised by mainstream therapists and psychologists, not only will there be a growing base of understanding referrers to send clients to appropriate treatment but also – if those professionals are willing to attend brief workshops relating their skills to the 12 steps – the workforce capacity to treat addictive disorders could be multiplied by thousands of people.

KEY FINDINGS

100% of rehab survey participants use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

100% of rehab survey participants use Motivational Interviewing.

85% of rehab survey participants use Family Systems Therapy.

Rehabs use an eclectic range of approaches.

Full information is in the March issue of Addiction Today. It will be updated on this website six weeks later.

Comments

[Leah Stevens]

Does anyone know of any 12 step training in London?