12 Steps or More:Compare & Contrast Treatment Approaches - Essay Example

? 12 Steps or More: Compare & Contrast Treatment Approaches Introduction Substance abuse is recognized as a process of developing a physical along with psychological dependence due to chronic and progressive disorders arising from chemical based substances. Substance abuse is also identified as one of the major healthcare concerns faced by people. It has been determined to be the leading cause for physical as well as psychological health problems and even death. In this respect, various treatments in relation to substance abuse disorders have been used in an effective manner with the intention of minimizing the usage of drugs and other related problems. Respectively, drug abuse and alcohol treatments are provided by healthcare organizations with the objective of reducing dependency on chemicals. There are various treatments which include 12 steps program, cognitive-behavioral interventions, motivational enhancement therapy and psychodynamic therapy amid the most effective ones in order to minimize criminal behavior, improve social aspects and work productivity (Colker, 2004). Discussion Similarities and Dissimilarities between 12 Steps Approaches and Other Therapeutic Approaches With the emergence of health issues in relation to substance abuse and alcohol, different treatment approaches are developed with the intention of providing support as well as treatment to people who are addicted and dependent on drug abuse and alcohol. These therapies are used with the aim of assisting addicted and dependent individuals on substance abuse to minimize the use along with developing their physical as well as psychological conditions (Colker, 2004). 12 Steps Approaches and Cognitive-Behavior Interventions (CBT) The 12 steps approach and the cognitive-behavior interventions (CBT) are methods used for the treatment of people under substance abuse and alcohol. These two methods of treatment are identified to be identical in relation to treatment offered to people i.e. substance abuse and alcohol. The two methods are similar with respect to treatments offered in relation to people, things as well as locations. These two methods assist addicted individuals to understand the effect of alcohol and other chemical based substances. Individuals with the assistance of these treatment methods are able to develop their psychological facets which in turn can assist to improve their physical health. The therapies of these models aid individuals to enhance their habits as well as obtain self-control strategies and meetings in order to develop better coping lifestyles (Willenbring, 2010). There are certain differences in the approaches on the basis of which treatment and care services are offered to the people under substance abuse and alcohol. The 12 steps approach is based on the concept that alcoholism is both a medical as well as a spiritual disease. The 12 steps approach is a procedure in accordance with which therapies are offered to alcohol addicted people. The addicted people are encouraged to attend the self-help meeting in order to mitigate their drinking habits. On the other hand, CBT approach has been adopted with the intention of providing adequate treatment along with therapies to people with substance abuse and alcohol. It is a structured, short-term and flexible approach to develop the psychological conditions of people. This approach also seeks that treatments and therapies are offered on the basis of current practices and clinical evidences (Willenbring, 2010). 12 Steps Approaches and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) The 12 steps approach and motivational enhancement therapy (MET) are identified to be identical in their approaches with their objectives of providing treatments and therapies to people with the problem of substance abuse and alcohol. Both the approaches are recognized to be based on the concept of offering counseling services. The approaches assist individuals in exploring the different health issues associated with substance abuse and alcohol. The approaches also aid in identifying the changes in their behavior and in solving ambivalence of the people. These two approaches have assisted in developing an enhanced relationship amid people attending for counseling services. The approaches are recognized to be offering treatment services for substance abuse and alcohol in a cost effective manner. Both the approaches are implemented on the basis of certain procedures or frameworks in order to revive individuals from the problems associated with substance abuse (Rickwood, Crowley, Dyer, Magor-Blatch, Melrose, Mentha & Ryder, 2005). These two approaches differ in the procedures in accordance with which treatments as well as intervention services are offered to patients under substance abuse and alcohol. MET is an approach based on the concept of change through motivation. Patients with the assistance of MET will be able to develop a positive belief and self-motivation so that they are able to recover from their health problems. MET will also assist in developing psychological conditions of patients through counseling, interventions along with multiple sessions in order to aid them to mitigate substance abuse and alcohol. This approach is client-centered which assists individuals with the objective of developing a better health-related behavior so that they can improve their psychological as well as physical conditions. On the other hand, the 12 steps approach is a procedure in accordance with which individuals are spiritually developed so that they are motivated to mitigate the use of alcohol. Moreover, this approach is organized through meetings at certain locations where people with the problem of substance abuse meet and share their thoughts and experiences. On the basis of these meeting, individuals are able to develop strategies and plans in order to recuperate from the problems related with substance abuse (Rickwood, Crowley, Dyer, Magor-Blatch, Melrose, Mentha & Ryder, 2005). 12 Steps Approach and Psychodynamic Approach 12 steps approach and psychodynamic approach are similar in terms of the process of intervention as both the approaches assist patients in determining their present as well as past behavior. On the basis of these approaches, patients are able to mitigate their desire along with need in relation to abuse substances. The approaches aim at the development of unconscious process along with developing an effective self-awareness of change in behavior due to substance abuse. In this regard, people are offered with adequate support to resolve their health related and substance abuse problems. Both the therapeutic approaches are based on structured treatment procedures and intervention process (Kerrisk, 2010). 12 steps approach and psychodynamic approaches differ in various manner. The psychodynamic approach is a lengthy process of offering adequate treatment facilities and services. This approach is determined to be based on different treatment programs in relation to substance abuse which include drug counseling, regular urinalysis and pharmacotherapy among others. This model is based on multifaceted theories in relation to interaction as well as human development. In contrast, 12 steps approach is based on counseling and discussions programs on the basis of which people are motivated to mitigate their substance abuse problems. The 12 steps approach is a short-term process of offering treatments, therapies as well as intervention programs to the people attending the meetings (Kerrisk, 2010). Recommendations Health care problems affecting both physical as well as psychological conditions are determined to increase to a great extent due to substance abuse and alcohol. In this regard, various types of therapeutic approaches are developed with the intention of assisting individuals affected by the issue of substance abuse. The various treatments as well as intervention therapies include 12 steps approach, CBT, psychodynamic approach and MET among others. The most effective procedures of providing efficient treatments as well as therapies will be to combine the 12 steps approach with CBT. The combination of these two approaches will assist in mitigating the problems of substance abuse. CBT is the mostly used therapy for individuals under substance abuse and alcohol. The CBT offers self-control strategies with the assistance of which patients are able to improve their behavior. In this respect, CBT and 12 steps approach in a combined manner will be effective in developing the psychological conditions of patients. Subsequently, the combination of the two approaches will assist in offering adequate quality interventions as well as treatment services with the objective of developing psychological conditions and behavior. CBT is recognized to be the most effective procedure on the basis of which adequate quality services as well as treatments facilities for offenders in the ‘criminal justice system’ (CJS) can be offered. This approach is effective in relation to CJS as it enable offenders to derive a better understanding of their present behaviors, thoughts and beliefs. In this respect, offenders, on identifying their behaviors and attitudes, are able to develop a positive mind-frame to change. Respectively, the offenders with the assistance of CBT are offered with proper interventions and treatment services which enhance their social skills, moral reasoning, self-control and critical reasoning among others (Clark, 2010). Conclusion It can be comprehended from the above discursion that with the rise of health related problems in relation to substance abuse, there is an increasing need of developing effective treatment measures. In this regard, different therapeutic approaches are developed as well as implemented with the intention of mitigating the problems of substance abuse. The various therapeutic approaches which include 12 step approach, CBT, MET and psychodynamic approaches are the ones which are mostly used towards the treatment of individuals who are severely affected by the problems related to substance abuse. It has been identified that the approaches are identical in offering treatments with the intention of assisting individuals to recuperate from the problems of substance abuse. These approaches are different in terms of measures in accordance with which treatments as well as therapeutic services are offered to patients with substance abuse problem. CBT and 12 steps approach in a combined manner is identified to offer effective treatment services towards health related problems in relation to substance abuse. References Clark, P. (2010). Preventing future crime with cognitive behavioral therapy. National Institute of Justice 265. Kerrisk, C. (2010). A critical review of treatment approaches for alcohol and drug problems. Synthesis Therapy & Counseling Services. Rickwood, D., Crowley, M., Dyer, K., Magor-Blatch, L., Melrose, J., Mentha, H., & Ryder, D. (2005). Perspectives in psychology: substance use. The Australian Psychological Society Ltd, pp. 1-36. Willenbring, M. L. (2010). The past and future of research on treatment of alcohol dependence. Alcohol Research & Health 33(1 and 2), pp. 55-63. Read More