E=MC2 – It’s not Rocket Science, but it is the formula
for an Evidence Based Recovery
Addiction
is such a complex disease – physically addiction primarily affects the brain,
but also is toxic to the rest of the body and to the human spirit. It’s also complex because of human desire for
new experience and the desire to escape from the pressure and stress associated
with daily life. However we have learned
over time that there are treatment approaches that are capable of bring addiction
into remission and keeping it there. We
now know the basic combination of interventions that show real evidence of
treating alcoholism and/or addictions to Cannabis, Crack, Cocaine, Heroin,
Xanax, Lortab, Oxycontin, Methamphetamine and Synthetic drugs like K2 and Bath Salts.
Motivation Enhancement is a
treatment approach that “tips the decisional balance” in favor of abstinence
over continuing to engage in the addictive behavior. Coping
Skills Training describes a variety of approaches designed to improve
interpersonal skills, better regulate mood, improve the ability to cope with
daily living and stressful life events and cope when confronted with substance
use cues. The Community
Reinforcement Approach is a treatment based in the belief that each person’s
environment – family, friends, work, school, neighborhood, church and social
activities - plays a key role in recovery.
12 Step Programs like AA, NA and Alanon are wonderful examples of the
Community Reinforcement Approach.
Provided
in combination at Vince Carter Sanctuary these three approaches mimic
Einstein’s famous equation: E=MC2. In
our model E is Effectiveness and MC2 is Motivation Enhancement, Community
Reinforcement and Coping Skills Training
William
Miller and Reid Hester identified the superiority of these three treatment
approaches in their seminal article “What works: A summary of alcohol treatment outcome
research” (2003). Their analysis of 381
addiction treatment clinical trials ultimately ranked the effectiveness of 48
different treatment modalities. Motivational Enhancement and Community
Reinforcement ranked 2 and 4 in their rankings.
Coping Skills Training approaches including a Self-Change Manual,
Behavioral Self-Control Training, Behavior Contracting and Social Skills Training
ranked 5,7,8 and 9.
In
contrast some of the most often used treatment approaches were ranked the
lowest – Educational tapes, lectures and films 48, Psychotherapy 46,
Confrontational Counseling 45, Relaxation Training 44 and Milieu Therapy 40.
At Vince
Carter Sanctuary we have organized our Medical Detoxification and Intervention
programs around Motivation Enhancement, Community Reinforcement and Coping
Skills Training. My blogs in the
upcoming weeks will further describe the Motivational, Community Reinforcement
and Coping Skills Training approaches we use at Vince Carter Sanctuary.
E=MC2. In this case it’s not rocket science, but is
the formula for an Evidence Based Recovery.
Chet
Bell, MPA, CCJAP
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