From Stanton Peele's Blog

FROM STANTON PEELE'S BLOG

Non-Disease Treatment Programs Now Available!

The New York Times ran an article questioning the success of standard addiction treatment programs (“Stars Check In, Stars Check Out”): “experts in the field seem to agree that the success rate for rehab programs, most of which are based on the 12-step therapy created by Alcoholics Anonymous, hovers somewhere between 30 percent at best, and below 10 percent at worst.”

Several centers in Southern California now offer alternatives to the 12-step model of treatment, and some even question whether addiction should be regarded as a disease. At Passages, in Malibu, they regard the disease theory as “a dirty trick.” Instead, they “reinforce a person’s ability to completely cure themselves of dependency. The first thing we give them is hope: ‘You’re going to be fine.’ ”

These centers, all in Southern California, have developed to cope with more demanding clients, often Hollywood stars. Many people objected when Promises (also in Malibu) allowed Lindsay Lohan to leave the campus to work out. The Web site for Wonderland, in Beverly Hills, claims: “Recovery does not need to isolate you from your friends, family or career.” According to its director, Howard Samuels, “If you spend your whole time at a treatment center, when you leave you’re not prepared for the stresses and anxieties on the outside.”

It’s good to see such sensible principles invade the cloistered treatment centers of America. The Domus Retreat in Anaheim even questions the need – or the possibility – of absolute abstinence: According to director Clare Waismann, “You can’t tell Lindsay Lohan she can never have a beer again or she’s failed. She will fail.”

It’s a little early to sound the death knell for the disease approach and 12 steps. But we are beginning to see fissures in America’s gigantic treatment monolith, which has ruled the country for the last half century. Of course, it’s possible to get non-disease treatment for less than the $40,000 monthly fee charged by Wonderland. You can call me, for instance.

Stanton Peele is the author of Love and Addiction and 7 Tools to Beat Addiction.

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Lilian and Murdoch's website: www.alcoholicscandrinksafelyagain.com