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The abstinence-only model of recovery has largely dominated the world of alcohol use disorder (AUD) research and treatment for as long as we have been studying and treating AUD.
Recent empirical work challenges this model.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.14413
(1/n)
Recent empirical work challenges this model.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.14413
(1/n)
Alcohol use is (overly) socially accepted and most people who drink alcohol never develop problems related to their alcohol use. (2/n)
We need to pause to recognize two things:
1. Alcohol is toxic and, on balance, is associated with health harms.
2. Alcohol can also harm others.
We need to pause to recognize two things:
1. Alcohol is toxic and, on balance, is associated with health harms.
2. Alcohol can also harm others.
Given that alcohol is socially accepted, most people drink, and most people drink without problems, it is probably not too surprising that MOST people who do struggle with their relationship with alcohol:
(a) do not want to stop drinking;
(b) do not seek treatment. (3/n)
(a) do not want to stop drinking;
(b) do not seek treatment. (3/n)
Why do people who struggle with their relationship with alcohol not seek treatment? (as an aside, if you are struggling with your relationship then check out this tool: https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/ )
Many people do not seek treatment, because they do not want to stop drinking. (4/n)
Many people do not seek treatment, because they do not want to stop drinking. (4/n)
But, what if people were encouraged to reduce drinking, without forcing an abstinence-only model?
Which, as an aside, we know is associated with significant health benefits. (5/n)
For example, significant cardiovascular benefit: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.14386
Which, as an aside, we know is associated with significant health benefits. (5/n)
For example, significant cardiovascular benefit: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.14386
And, what if more people would actually want to reduce their drinking and would seek treatment ... if they knew that total abstinence from alcohol for the rest of their lives was not required to achieve recovery... (6/n)
What if people knew that reductions in drinking, short of total abstinence from alcohol, predicted stable improvements in health and functioning and that abstinence is not required to show improvements in health. (7/n) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.14018
What if people also knew that recovery of health, functioning, purpose in life, and well-being is also possible, and that abstinence may not be required to recover. This finding has now been replicated in two independent samples. See 1/n and also
https://psyarxiv.com/zpcsr/ . (8/n)
https://psyarxiv.com/zpcsr/ . (8/n)
It is also important to note that many people do achieve recovery by abstaining from alcohol completely - and that is great!! Acknowledging that different recovery pathways may exist does not nullify the reality that many people are successful in recovery via abstinence. (9/n)
To recap:
1. Alcohol is harmful.
2. Reductions in drinking = health benefit.
3. Most people with AUD do not seek treatment.
4. Many people with AUD do not want to stop drinking.
5. Some people can "recover" and continue to drink.
6. There are many paths to recovery. (10/10)
1. Alcohol is harmful.
2. Reductions in drinking = health benefit.
3. Most people with AUD do not seek treatment.
4. Many people with AUD do not want to stop drinking.
5. Some people can "recover" and continue to drink.
6. There are many paths to recovery. (10/10)
