MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Twelve Step Facilitation.com' source. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:55:35 +0100 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/stages-of-affiliation-with-alcoholics-anonymous/ How do alcoholics get to AA?1 AA has grown to over 100,000 groups world wide with more than two million members simply on word-of-mouth recommendation. Often the recommendation has come from friends, family, employers, healthcare workers or law courts. People progress through stages of affiliation with others and with Alcoholics Anonymous in pursuit of solutions to their problems. Two paths are identified; Direct Affiliation and Facilitated Affiliation2. The stages are not necessarily discrete where a person moves in clear progression from one stage to the next. A person is more likely to move up and down, sometimes jumping a stage in regression or progression. However, AA reports that 51% of current members stayed sober from their first meeting. Facilitation plays a significant part in ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1969051 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:24:09 +0100 1969051 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/the-brief-tsf-model/ What does the Brief-TSF model look like? How does the Brief-TSF model work? Defining the Brief-TSF processes This model brings together three people to achieve sobriety in one of them. These are the; experiential contributor (AA Peer Sponsor) and professional care (Twelve Step Facilitator) to collaborate in facilitating self help recovery for the alcoholic (normally known as the patient or client). Each of the three people brings to the intervention knowledge’s and functions known as ‘domains of praxes’. Within each domain are the constituents of experience, training, perceptions, goals and capabilities. Functional Domain The Brief Twelve Step Facilitator facilitates self-assessment by the patient, introduces them to a ‘Peer Sponsor’ and facilitates understanding of the �... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1952086 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1952086 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/professional-education/ Designed By Professionals for Professionals Brief-TSF is a professionally written continuing professional education program for healthcare workers. All disciplines of the helping profession who come in contact with patients may benefit from Brief-TSF training for alcoholism. The professions included are nurses, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, faith based workers (pastors, priests, ministers, Rabbis, and other clergy) and counselors. Brief-TSF may also be used by trained and supervised volunteers. Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1945358 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1945358 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/aa-recommendations/ AA is often recommended as adjunctive to formal alcoholism treatment The following are some governments and significant organizations who recommend Alcoholics Anonymous and craving reduction medication as an adjunctive components of professional alcoholism treatment. Some examples are - Australia ; McCabe D., and Holmwood C. (2003), Co morbidity of mental disorders and substance use in General Practice. Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health and Ageing. Shand F, Gates J, Fawcett J, and Mattick R. (2003), Guidelines for the Treatment of Alcohol Problems, Australian National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). Dale A. , and Marsh A. (2000), Evidence Based Practice Indicators for Alcohol and Other Drug Interventions; Literature Review, Best Practice in Alcohol and Other Drug ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901721 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1901721 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/adjunctive-therapy/ Alcoholism and Brief-TSF Have you ever been frustrated by a patients heavy drinking? Or, is there poor treatment compliance with alcoholism? Health, work or relationships decline while drinking continues? You want to help, and have tried, but are at your wits end. Do you have time to train as an alcohol specialist? If not, Brief Twelve Step Facilitation can help, allowing you to get on with your primary role. BriefTSF is an adjunctive alcoholism intervention The primary aim of Brief Twelve Step Facilitation (Brief-TSF) is to introduce patients to the Twelve Step Fellowship - Alcoholics Anonymous. Then, in a support role, encourage maintenance of AA membership to enable sustained sobriety and rehabilitation. Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twel... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886468 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1886468 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/parents-drug-abuse-and-kids-anxiety/ Conclusions; These findings provide compelling evidence that adult children of parents with substance use disorders are more likely to have relapses of social phobia and panic disorders. Clinicians who treat adults with anxiety disorders should assess parental substance use disorders and dependence histories. Such information may facilitate treatment planning with regards to their patients’ level of vulnerability to perceive scrutiny by others in social situations, and ability to maintain a long-term panic-free state. Research; Impact of parental history of substance use disorders on the clinical course of anxiety disorders. Maria E. Pagano, Richard Rende, Benjamin F. Rodriguez, Eric L. Hargraves, Amanda T. Moskowitz, & Martin B. Keller. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1876236 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1876236 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/adjunctive-therapy-with-aa/ Self-help and other supports bolster treatment success Combining treatment with self-help programs, such as the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program, also improves outcomes, and is more effective than either treatment or self-help participation alone. Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings is significantly related to post-treatment abstinence. Although mandated AA attendance alone, without treatment, has not been proven effective, one major study showed AA to be as effective as treatment. Research report; Runder the Influence Part 2: Treating Addictions, Reducing Corrections Costs. Katherine Merrow & Richard A. Minard , Jr. February 5, 2003. New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies in association with the Institute for Policy and Social Science Research, University of New H... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856192 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1856192 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/aa-membership/ AA Membership 2005 Because A.A. has never attempted to keep formal membership lists, it is extremely difficult to obtain completely accurate figures on total membership at any given time. Some local groups are not listed with the General Service Office. Others do not provide membership data, thus are not recorded on the G.S.O. computer records. The membership figures listed below are based on reports to the General Service Office as of January 1, 2005, plus an average allowance for groups that have not reported their membership. Estimated A.A. Membership and Group Information Groups in U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,651 Members in U.S. . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1,190,637 Groups in Canada . . . . . . . . . . .. 4,872 Members in Canada . . . . . . . . . . 95,984 Groups Outside of U.S./C... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852685 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1852685 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/aa-fact-fike/ A Few Basic Facts About AA Alcoholics Anonymous is well-known as an organization for people who want to stop drinking. At the same time, there are some points about A.A. that may be unclear to the general public and even to professionals working to help problem drinkers. Founded in the United States in 1935, when one alcoholic discovered he could stay sober by helping another alcoholic, Alcoholics Anonymous now has more than two million members in some 180 countries. A.A.’s sole purpose is helping people recover from the disease of alcoholism, and it has no affiliation with any other group or organization. Members anywhere in the world can come together to form an A.A. group, of which there are an estimated 106,000 worldwide. Among other facts about Alcoholics Anonymous are: Membership i... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806388 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1806388 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/koreans-drink-excessively/ Alcohol consumption and the CAGE questionnaire in Korean adults: results from the Second Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Korean Med Sci. 2008 Apr;23(2):199-206. Park JT, Kim BG, Jhun HJ. We evaluated alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems in Korean adults by evaluating alcohol consumption and responses to the CAGE questionnaire obtained from the second Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The age-adjusted prevalence of males who consumed 0, 0.1-20, 20.1-40, or >40 g/day of alcohol were 28.0, 51.5, 12.5, and 8.0%, respectively; 26.9% of male drinkers were CAGE-positive (> or =2 affirmative responses to the CAGE). The age-adjusted prevalence of females who consumed 0, 0.1-10, 10.1-20, or >20 g/day of alcohol were 67.7, 26.6, ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1788796 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:15:15 +0100 1788796 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/dual-dependence/ Conclusions: Alcohol use is an important and under-rated problem in the treatment of drug misusers. A comprehensive assessment of alcohol use among drug misusers should include separate assessments of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems and severity of alcohol dependence. Research report; Gossop, Michael; Marsden, John; Stewart, Duncan. Dual dependence: assessment of dependence upon alcohol and illicit drugs, and the relationship of alcohol dependence among drug misusers to patterns of drinking, illicit drug use and health problems. Addiction, Volume 97(2) February 2002 p 169-178 [Research Reports] The Dual Diagnosis Recovery Sourcebook : A Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Approach to Addiction with an Emotional Disorder Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Ma... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779377 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1779377 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/twelve-step-recovery-is-spiritual/ Twelve Step recovery is spirituality at its best Nancy Kehoe, Ph.D., is a Massachusetts psychologist who for 20 years has trained mental health care providers to tend to the spiritual as well as the psychological needs of their clients. At a Hazelden Women Healing conference in April, Kehoe emphasized that although spirituality and religion can be integrally linked to mental health, the therapeutic community is usually reluctant or ill-equipped to explore these areas with clients — even though doing so could greatly enhance and speed up their recovery. Understanding how people image God or a Higher Power and what role spirituality plays in patients’ lives can give therapists valuable information for diagnosis and treatment, Kehoe said. Mental health professionals can learn much... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1775636 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1775636 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/slips-and-relapses/ Response to Slips and Relapses Slips and relapses are considered normal and even expected parts of early recovery, as are frequent urges to drink. The 12 step model regards addiction as an illness characterized by compulsion that overwhelms individual willpower. Until the client is solidly connected to a 12 step fellowship, he or she is expected to experience difficulty sustaining sobriety even with the best of intentions. The primary purpose of the review part of the Brief-TSF session is to assess the client’s recovery and to evaluate urges and slips and how the client dealt with them. This material becomes an important context in which the facilitator gradually shapes greater involvement in AA. Typically, a pattern is discerned in slips. For example, it is common for a client to st... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773274 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1773274 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/therapeutic-alliance/ Therapeutic Alliance In Brief-TSF, the facilitator is seen as an expert in interpersonal counseling techniques and as knowledgeable in the principles and practicalities of 12 step fellowships. However, in Brief-TSF the facilitator is not regarded as the primary agent of change; rather, it is the 12 step fellowship (AA) that is seen as the agent of change. Accordingly, the Brief-TSF facilitator needs to conceptualize treatment as the product of a collaborative relationship and should assume responsibility for doing the best he or she can to establish that collaborative relationship. However, it is not the facilitator’s goal to breakdown the client’s denial (but simply to disturb denial), or to provide all support needed to stay sober, or to take the client to meetings, and so fo... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1770663 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1770663 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/role-of-significant-others/ ROLE OF SIGNIFICANT OTHERS IN TREATMENT Brief-TSF includes a ‘Partner Brief-TSF’ program to be used as adjunctive therapy whenever possible when an alcoholic patient is in a relationship. Partner Brief-TSF can also be applied when the alcoholic is not in treatment. Like other aspects of Brief-TSF, the partner sessions are focused and aim to meet specific goals. Partner Brief-TSF is not intended to be used as brief marital or relationship counseling, although one objective of these sessions is to help the patient(s) assess the impact of alcohol abuse on the relationship. Marital therapy may be briefly discussed, and significant others concerns, frustrations, and grievances are validated, but the facilitator also suggests that intensive relationship counseling (along with other thera... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764044 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1764044 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/strategies-for-dealing-with-common-problems/ Strategies for Dealing with Common Clinical Problems Brief-TSF includes information on troubleshooting, which helps the facilitator anticipate and plan for common problems such as lateness, coming to sessions under the influence, and client resistance to new material. Most often these strategies are consistent with AA philosophy and encourage the client to utilize the resources of 12-step fellowships. For example, the client who arrives drunk or high is asked how he or she will "not drink again for the rest of today." Clients are never punished, rejected, or scolded within the Brief-TSF model for drinking, since it is accepted that loss of control is the essence of their illness. However, sessions are cut short if the client is drunk. He or she will be strongly encouraged to call... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1754948 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1754948 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/strategies-for-dealing-with-denial/ Strategies for Dealing With Denial, Resistance, or Poor Motivation Strategies for dealing with resistance within the Brief-TSF model all begin with an assumption that the client has an illness that is characterized by loss of control over alcohol or other drug use, which leads him or her to want to resist accepting that loss of control. Though the only viable treatment goal from the Brief-TSF and 12 step perspective is abstinence from all alcohol, it is expected that the client will have a hard time accepting this limitation, as anyone has difficulty accepting limitation. Viewed in this light, resistance is seen as a natural part of the course of early recovery. Indeed, the Brief-TSF facilitator should be suspicious if too little resistance is encountered (a phenomenon known as compliance)... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734135 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1734135 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/strategies-for-dealing-with-crises/ Strategies for Dealing With Crises In Brief-TSF, the facilitator is given specific guidelines for dealing with crises ranging from suicidal ideation to spouse abuse to divorce. As a rule, only psychiatric emergencies and acute intoxication or overdose are grounds for suspending Brief-TSF. Otherwise, crises are assessed and triaged. In many instances the facilitator will direct the client to the resources of 12-step fellowships (including Al-Anon and Alateen for partners and children of clients) as a means of coping with acute stressors. Clients are encouraged to discover how ubiquitous their own problems are among people who have alcohol and how such issues are common topics of discussion at meetings. Indeed, the facilitator may very well be a less useful resource in this regard than th... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1729549 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1729549 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/theoretical-rationale/ TSF & Brief-TSF Theoretical Rationale/Mechanism of Action The theoretical rationale is based in the 12 steps and 12 traditions of AA and includes the need to accept that willpower alone is not sufficient to achieve sustained sobriety, that self-centeredness must be replaced by surrender to the group process/conscience, and that long-term recovery consists of a process of spiritual renewal. The primary mechanism action is active participation and a willingness to accept a higher power, even if it is the AA group at first, as the locus of change in one’s life. Subscribe to regular updates Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1709372 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1709372 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/brief-tsf-assessment/ Brief-TSF ASSESSMENT The assessment session in BriefTSF runs for up to 1 hour. The goals are to: Establish client-facilitator rapport. Conduct a collaborative assessment of alcohol (history). Discuss the client’s prior efforts to stop or control use. Discuss negative consequences associated with use. Share a diagnosis with the client and attempt to have it be a collaborative decision. Attempt to get a commitment from the client to sample several AA meetings and to try and to keep an open mind. Introduce an AA Peer Sponsor by phoning immediately the person indicates a commitment. Assessment within the TSF model has both an informational and a motivational goal. Consistent with 12 step philosophy, no client is excluded from treatment as a consequence of drinking, although with some ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1700859 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1700859 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/tsf-brief-tsf-target-populations/ TARGET POPULATIONS Clients Best Suited for This Approach Twelve Step Facilitation has been utilized in controlled outcome studies with alcohol abusers and alcoholics and with persons who have concurrent alcohol-cocaine abuse and dependency. It has been used with clients of diverse socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds and a range of maladjustment. Clients Poorly Suited for This Approach Individuals who have severe symptoms of addiction to cocaine or opiates. That is not to say that alternative treatments have proven effective with that group of individuals. Subscribe to regular updates by RSS feed. Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1692252 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1692252 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/counselor-characteristics/ Brief-TSF COUNSELOR CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAINING Educational Requirements Brief-TSF requires considerable clinical skill to implement properly. Issues in implementation include the ability to stay focused, maintain structure within each session, and engage in constructive confrontation. Accordingly, it is recommended that prospective facilitators have counseling experience and/or training. Counselor’s Recovery Status Brief-TSF facilitators need not be in recovery personally. Any serious Brief-TSF facilitator, however, should have read all relevant AA literature that clients will be asked to read and should be familiar with at least AA and Al-Anon meetings from personal experience. In addition, it is not recommended that a facilitator whose own views are unsympathetic to the primary g... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1683152 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1683152 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/buy-brief-tsf-2/ Brief-TSF book; How to help an alcoholic find freedom from alcohol. You will be automatically redirected to a download page once payment is confirmed. US$9.95 - using Paypal, Visa or Mastercard     Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1677274 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1677274 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/alcohol-and-personal-tragedy/ Alcohol hospital admissions hide individual tragedies, say doctors (issued Tuesday 22 Jul 2008) The new government figures released today (Tuesday 22 July 2008) revealing that 811,000 people in England were admitted to hospital with alcohol misuse problems in 2006 hide the individual tragedies that hospital frontline staff see day in day out, said the British Medical Association. The BMA’s Head of Science and Ethics, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, added: “While this figure is rightly very frightening and shocking, it also hides the hundreds and thousands of individual tragedies that doctors witness every day. Alcohol misuse is related to over 60 medical conditions including heart and liver disease, diabetes, strokes and mental health problems – it costs the NHS millions of pounds every year ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652436 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1652436 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/spirituality-and-health/ This article explores four possible mechanisms by which prayer may lead to improved health. While acknowledging the efficacy of prayer and recognizing the needs of patients, prayer, being a personal spiritual practice, cannot be prescribed, nor should it be used in place of medical care. The spiritual search for meaning and hope in life is integral to human existence. This is particularly evident during times of personal stress and crisis. Recent census findings indicate that 74% of Australians and 96% of Americans believe in a higher power, and similar percentages claim some form of religious affiliation.1,2 Evidence also suggests that certain spiritual beliefs and the practice of prayer are associated with improved coping and better health outcomes.3-6 Although North Americans have been ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652435 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:13:21 +0100 1652435 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/the-alcohol-withdrawal-syndrome-detox/ Detoxification from alcohol abuse. The alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a common management problem in hospital practice for neurologists, psychiatrists and general physicians alike. Although some patients have mild symptoms and may even be managed in the outpatient setting, others have more severe symptoms or a history of adverse outcomes that requires close inpatient supervision and benzodiazepine therapy. Many patients with AWS have multiple management issues; withdrawal symptoms, delirium tremens (DT’s), the Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, seizures, depression, polysubstance abuse, electrolyte disturbances and liver disease, These require a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Although AWS may be complex, careful evaluation and available treatments should ensure ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1646122 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:12:10 +0100 1646122 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/longer-aa-attendance-predicts-change/ This study examined the predictors of self-efficacy in the year after treatment and 15 years later. A sample of 420 individuals with alcohol use disorders was assessed five times over the course of 16 years. Predictors of self-efficacy at 1 year included improvement from baseline to 1 year in heavy drinking, alcohol-related problems, depression, impulsivity, avoidance coping, social support from friends, and longer duration of participation in mutual-help Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Female gender, more education, less change in substance use problems, and impulsivity during the first year predicted improvement in self-efficacy over 16 years. Clinicians should focus on keeping patients engaged in self-help of AA, addressing depressive symptoms, improving patient’s coping,... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1646123 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:15:11 +0100 1646123 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/alcoholism-drug-helps-gamblers/ Drug commonly used for alcoholism craving curbs urges of pathological gamblers A drug commonly used to treat alcohol addiction has a similar effect on pathological gamblers – it curbs the urge to gamble and participate in gambling-related behavior, according to a new research at the University of Minnesota. Seventy-seven people participated in the double-blind, placebo controlled study. Fifty-eight men and women took 50, 100, or 150 milligrams of naltrexone every day for 18 weeks. Forty percent of the 49 participants who took the drug and completed the study, quit gambling for at least one month. Their urge to gamble also significantly dropped in intensity and frequency. The other 19 participants took a placebo. But, only 10.5 percent of those who took the placebo were able to abstai... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526457 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:43:24 +0100 1526457 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/elements-of-effective-alcohol-treatment-for-adolescents/ Nine Elements of Effective Alcohol Treatment for Adolescents In evaluating a broad spectrum of treatment programs and approaches, researchers have identified common themes among the treatments that are most effective in helping teens. Drug Strategies, a Washington-based nonprofit research institute that promotes more effective approaches to the nation’s drug problems, found these key elements in an extensive review. http://www.ensuringsolutions.org/resources/resources_show.htm?doc_id=336617&cat_id=989 Publisher Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems George Washington University Medical Center Website: http://www.ensuringsolutions.org/ Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1518774 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:13:51 +0100 1518774 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/double-trouble-in-recovery/ Conclusions: For dually-diagnosed individuals, continued participation in dual recovery self-help groups plays a significant role in the recovery process, particularly in the area of substance use. Implications for Policy, Delivery or Practice: Participation in dual-recovery self-help groups, both during and after formal treatment, should be encouraged as part of an integrated lifelong recovery plan for dually-diagnosed individuals. Research; One-Year Outcomes among Members of a Dual-Recovery Self-Help Program. Laudet A, Magura S, Vogel H, Knight E, Staines G; Abstr Acad Health Serv Res Health Policy Meet. 2000; 17. More at; Double Trouble in Recovery See also; 12-Step Treatment More Effective than Alternative AA and Treatment Work Better Together Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1508691 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:05:38 +0100 1508691 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/compatibility/ With Other Treatments Brief-TSF may be utilised in combination with supportive pharmacotherapy; for example, craving reduction medications. While recognising the existence of multiple problems of adjustment in most problem drinkers (e.g., marital conflict, family dysfunction), Brief-TSF advocates pursuing the goal of early recovery as primary, delaying most other therapies if necessary, until the client has achieved approximately 6 months of sobriety. The primary exceptions to this recommendation would be emergency or incapacitating medical treatment, debilitating depression or other major affective disorder, or a psychotic disorder, which would take precedence over Brief-TSF. Brief-TSF is not compatible with treatments based on notions of controlled use. Brief-TSF updates by RSS feed ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1508690 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:05:38 +0100 1508690 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/aa-and-na-works-for-youth-too/ This study examined how helpful AA and NA may be for adolescents, finding long-term benefits even though many youth discontinue attendance after time. Results will be published in the August issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. “It is difficult to evaluate the efficacy of mutual-help organizations like AA through randomized controlled experiments because the AA ‘intervention,’ being a community organization based on anonymity, cannot be directly under the control of the researcher in the usual way,” explained John F. Kelly. Yet their popularity and cost-effectiveness cannot be denied, added Kelly. “AA and NA are explicitly focused on abstinence and addiction recovery, they are widely available across most communities, they provide entry to a social network... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1501482 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:05:20 +0100 1501482 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/treatment-setting/ Brief-TSF Treatment Setting Brief-TSF can be used with both individuals who have never sought treatment and those who had previous treatment and aftercare clients. The model is flexible enough to accommodate all of these client groups. However, since Brief-TSF relies heavily on client involvement in community-based 12 step fellowship and meetings, it would be less ideally implemented in a long-term inpatient setting. Many Twelve Step Fellowship members are willing to visit ‘Newcomers’ in hospital. Brief-TSF can easily be integrated into a general mental health outpatient clinic setting. BriefTSF is designed to be used in the context of short-term individual adjunct therapy by general healthcare and other helping profession workers. BriefTSF is specifically intended to be implemen... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1501481 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:05:20 +0100 1501481 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/handbook-of-alcoholism/ Handbook of Alcoholism While the war on drugs continues to attract world attention, it is often overlooked that alcoholism remains a major worldwide health concern. No matter what your expertise, the Handbook of Alcoholism can help you acquire the necessary skills to treat problem drinkers and alcohol-dependent patients. In three sections; Patient Care, Research, and Useful Data and Definitions this comprehensive handbook not only addresses the underlying psychological problems of alcoholism, but helps you to better diagnose and treat the non-psychiatric medical disorders caused by the disease. See also; 12-Step Treatment More Effective than Alternative AA Offers Recovery Not Religion Brief-TSF is designed to as adjunctive therapy for anti-craving medication. Subscribe to Twelve Step ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497552 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:17:55 +0100 1497552 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/ Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Therapy is an intervention that improves the patient’s cognitive and behavioral skills for changing his/her problematic drinking behavior. CBT is based on the principles of social learning theory and views drinking behavior as functionally related to major problems in a person’s life. It posits that addressing this broad spectrum of problems will prove more effective than focusing on drinking alone. Emphasis is placed on overcoming skill deficits and increasing the person’s ability to cope with high-risk situations that commonly precipitate relapse, including both interpersonal difficulties and intrapersonal discomfort such as anger or depression. See also; What is alcoholism? Twelve-Step Programs as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy and Psychop... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488394 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:28:04 +0100 1488394 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/20-top-posts-at-twelve-step-facilitation/ Al-Anon Offers New Life AA’s 12-Step Recovery Program Alcoholic Defence Mechanisms Attendance at Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Binge Drinking & Brain Damage Brief-TSF Description Characteristics of Children of Alcoholics Counseling and the 12 Steps of AA Counselor Characteristics Craving Reduction Effects of Gambling Addiction How do alcoholics get to AA? Phases of Recovery PTSD and Alcohol Addiction Research Evidence for TSF Slogans for everyday life in AA Symptoms of Alcoholism The Personality Traits of Alcoholics TSF Description What about Partners of Alcoholics? Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by e-Mail           Couple Therapy for Alcoholism: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Manualby Phylis J. Wakefield, ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1482109 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:03:37 +0100 1482109 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/motivational-enhancement-therapy/ Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a systematic intervention approach for evoking change in problem drinkers. It is based on principles of motivational psychology and is designed to produce rapid, internally motivated change. This treatment employs motivational strategies to mobilize the client’s own change resources. MET consists of four carefully planned and individualized treatment sessions. The first two focus on structured feedback from the initial assessment, future plans, and motivation for change, The final two sessions at the midpoint and end of treatment provide opportunities for the therapist to reinforce progress, encourage reassessment, and provide an objective perspective on the process of change. The counselor seeks to develop a discrepancy in the client&#8217... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1478081 Fri, 30 May 2008 13:16:02 +0100 1478081 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/twelve-step-facilitation-therapy/ Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy facilitates patients’ active participation in the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. TSF regards such active involvement as the primary factor responsible for sustained sobriety (recovery) and therefore as the desired outcome of participation in this treatment program. This therapy is grounded in the concept of alcoholism as a spiritual and medical disease. TSF consists of a brief, structured, and manual-driven approach to facilitating early recovery from alcohol abuse/alcoholism and other drug abuse/addiction. It is intended to be implemented on an individual basis in 12 to 15 sessions and is based in behavioral, spiritual, and cognitive principles that form the core of 12-step fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1469846 Tue, 27 May 2008 13:08:52 +0100 1469846 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/brief-tsf-holistic-treatment/ What symptoms of alcoholism does Brief-TSF address? Many signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse may not be apparent even to a close relative or friend. However, some can be easily seen and some may be hidden by other symptoms; or denied by the drinker. The Brief-TSF course describes the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse and alcoholism and provides ways of uncovering them. Medical symptoms of alcoholism. The medical symptoms of alcoholism are; Hangovers, blackouts, injuries, lethargy, weight gain or loss, poor coordination, high blood pressure, impotence, vomiting, nausea, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreas disease, brain damage, and tolerance to alcohol. Psychological signs of alcohol dependence. The psychological symptoms of alcohol dependence are; Poor concentration, slee... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1469845 Tue, 27 May 2008 13:08:52 +0100 1469845 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/mutual-aid-groups-in-psychiatry-and-substance-misuse/ Conclusions: Greater awareness of this resource for mental health and substance misuse fields could enhance practice. Mutual aid groups in psychiatry and substance misuse. Alex Baldacchino;  Woody Caan; Carol Munn-Giddings. Mental Health and Substance Use: dual diagnosis, Volume 1, Issue 2 June 2008 , pages 104 - 117 See also; 12-Step Treatment More Effective than Alternative AA Offers Recovery Not Religion Brief-TSF can assist patients cease alcohol consumption. Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by e-Mail           The Self-Help Sourcebook: Finding & Forming Mutual Aid Self-Help Groups Amazon Books; Read more about this title… Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454571 Tue, 20 May 2008 15:13:53 +0100 1454571 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/alcoholics-anonymous-membership-reduces-suicide-rates/ CONCLUSIONS: The data confirm the important relations between per capita consumption measures and suicide mortality rates. Additionally, the results for AA membership rates are consistent with the hypothesis that AA membership can exert beneficial effects observable at the population level. Mann RE, Zalcman RF, Rush BR, Smart RG, Rhodes AE. Can J Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;53(4):243-51. Alcohol factors in suicide mortality rates in Manitoba. see also; 12-Step Treatment More Effective than Alternative AA Offers Recovery Not Religion Brief-TSF can assist patients cease alcohol consumption. Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by e-Mail   Understanding and Counselling the Alcoholicby Howard J. ClinebellAmazon books; Read more about this title… Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1449450 Sat, 17 May 2008 11:08:09 +0100 1449450 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/10-principles-of-addiction-and-recovery/ Alcoholism and addiction have several common threads with reciprocal recovery principles. In their book, “Rethinking Substance Abuse,” editors William R. Miller and Kathleen M. Carroll to sum up what has been learned about the science of addiction. These are; Drug Use is Chosen Behavior in the Beginning – for experimenting, peer pressure or otherwise its chosen at first. Drug Problems Emerge Gradually – it takes time to become addicted. Once Well Established, Drug Problems Tend to Become Self-Perpetuating – once the brain alters it number of drug receptor cells drug craving demands more of the same. Motivation is Central to Prevention and Intervention - actively doing something toward change may be more important than the particular actions that are taken. Drug Use Responds ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1434568 Sun, 11 May 2008 12:03:35 +0100 1434568 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/self-help-reduces-costs-and-promotes-sobriety/ CONCLUSIONS: Promoting self-help group involvement appears to improve posttreatment outcomes while reducing the costs of continuing care. Even cost offsets that somewhat diminish over the long term can yield substantial savings. Actively promoting self-help group involvement may therefore be a useful clinical practice for helping addicted patients recover in a time of constrained fiscal resources. Humphreys K, Moos RH. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2007 Jan;31(1):64-8. Encouraging posttreatment self-help group involvement to reduce demand for continuing care services: two-year clinical and utilization outcomes. Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1434567 Sun, 11 May 2008 12:03:35 +0100 1434567 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/alcoholism-a-womans-disease-too/ Alcoholism Is Not Just A “Man’s Disease” Anymore A new examination of data on similarly aged groups, compared across decades, has found substantial increases in drinking and alcohol dependence among women. Increases were particularly notable among white and Hispanic women – beginning with those born in the United States after World War II. Cross-sectional studies, which collect information at a single point in time, generally find that young Americans report having more lifetime alcohol problems than older Americans, despite having had less time to develop these problems.  But these studies are hampered by the fact that people of different ages may remember or report problems to different degrees.  A new examination of data, collected on similarly aged groups one decade a... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1423359 Tue, 06 May 2008 11:25:44 +0100 1423359 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/asian-alcoholism-genetics/ New Findings on Asian Alcohol-Protection Gene Only certain East Asian populations have a high prevalence of a gene that protects against alcohol over-consumption, and researchers speculate that some event must have occurred over the past few thousand years to make this genetic protection advantageous, Reuters reported. Yale University researchers said that unknown environmental factors are the likely cause for the prevalence of the ADH1B*47His gene variant among some Asian populations, but not others. The gene causes rapid metabolism of alcohol into acetaldehyde, a chemical that produces hangovers, flushing, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms that make even moderate drinking a poor experience. Researchers found that the gene variant was very prevalent in East Asia, fairly common in West ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1416354 Fri, 02 May 2008 12:25:27 +0100 1416354 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/bulimia-similar-to-addiction/ Bulimia Nervosa and Substance Use Disorder Similarities and Differences Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare bulimia nervosa (BN) and substance use disorders (SUD) in cognitive-motivational terms. The cognitive orientation theory was used as a framework for testing the hypothesis that the commonality between BN and SUD consists of a similar motivational disposition for eating disorders, rather than for addiction, as was previously claimed. It was expected that BN and SUD patients would differ from controls but not from each other. The participants were 31 BN, 20 SUD, and 20 healthy controls. They were administered questionnaires for assessing anxiety, depression, addiction and the cognitive orientation for eating disorders. On most parameters BN and SUD scored higher than con... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1409798 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:46:33 +0100 1409798 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/substance-use-among-dutch-dental-students/ CONCLUSIONS: Dental schools should develop effective programmes to educate students about responsible use of alcohol and other licit and illicit drugs. Schools should also inform students about their susceptibilities to substance abuse and dependency. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2001 Feb;29(1):48-54. Substance use among Dutch dental students. Plasschaert AJ, Hoogstraten J, van Emmerik BJ, Webster DB, Clayton RR. See also; Brief-TSF can assist people cease alcohol consumption. Twelve-Step Programs as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy and Psychopharmacology Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by e-Mail           Counseling for Relapse Preventionby Terence T. Gorski, Merlene Miller Read more about this title… Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy N... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1404136 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:33:22 +0100 1404136 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/alcohol-drug-use-in-an-educated-workforce/ This study examined alcohol and licit and illicit drug use in a highly educated medical related workforce. A comprehensive health survey of a 10% random sample of a workforce (n = 8,567) yielded a 60% response rate (n = 504) after accounting for 15 undeliverable surveys. Many respondents reported past-year use of alcohol (87%). Thirteen percent of respondents consumed three or more drinks daily; 15% were binge drinkers. Twelve percent of the workforce was assessed as having a high likelihood of lifetime alcohol dependence; 5% of respondents met criteria for current problem drinking. Overall, 42% reported using mood-altering prescription drugs (analgesics, antidepressants, sedatives, or tranquilizers). Eleven percent reported using illicit drugs (cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, or mar... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1401403 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:24:58 +0100 1401403 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/concept-of-alcoholism/ Concept of Alcoholism In TSF and Brief-TSF alcoholism is considered an illness that affects individuals both mentally and physically in such a way that they are unable to control their use of alcohol. Viewed from this perspective, the concept of controlled use of alcohol amounts to denial of the primary problem, that is, loss of control. Specific causative factors (ie, stress) are of less relevance in recovery than is acceptance of both the loss of control and the need for abstinence and a willingness to follow the pathway laid out in the 12-steps. Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1401402 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:24:58 +0100 1401402 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/patient-mental-illness-in-a-dental-school-clinic/ This study examined the degree to which patients seeking routine dental care report these diagnoses. Data was gathered from records of 508 consecutive new patients whose treatment plans were submitted for faculty approval. The patient’s self-reported mental illness was obtained from the patient questionnaire and physical evaluation forms of the dental record. One hundred thirty-six patients (27%) reported at least one mental illness. Of all diseases and disorders recorded in the medical history, self-reported depression was second only to hypertension in frequency. Substance abuse (alcoholism, addiction, medication), anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were also common findings. This study establishes the need for tra... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1396332 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:16:29 +0100 1396332