According to Patrick Meninga, author of "The Spiritual River," alternative therapy for alcohol abuse entails anything outside of the 12-step program prescribed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Alcoholics sometimes shy away from AA for many reasons, including the fact that the 12-step program requires belief in a higher power. Fortunately, there are other approaches that can help people successfully end alcohol abuse.
Aversion Therapy
Aversion therapy can be an effective approach for ending alcohol abuse, says Dr. Phillip Hagen, author of "The Mayo Clinic Guide to Self Care." This approach typically involves using prescription drugs to make the thought of drinking seem repulsive to the addict. Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a prescription drug which causes severe physical reactions if the patient ingests alcohol. These reactions include headaches, nausea and vomiting. Even though this drug does not reduce the craving for alcohol, it can deter the patient from taking a drink.
Naltrexone is another popular prescription medication. It was originally prescribed to block the "high" created by narcotic drugs, but it is now also used to reduce alcohol cravings. This drug may cause liver damage, so it is important to have regular liver tests, says Dr. Hagen.
Rational Recovery
Rational Recovery is an alternative approach to alcohol abuse that does not require a lengthy 12-step program or faith in a higher power. This approach is based on the Addictive Voice Recognition Technique, which allows alcohol abusers to separate themselves from their addiction. The abusers learn to see addiction as an easily defeatable enemy and to view cravings as external forces. Today, Rational Recovery is accepted alongside AA in some jurisdictions of the United States as a diversion program for drunk-driving offenders.
Nutritional Therapy
A nutritional approach can help problem drinkers curb their alcohol addictions, according to Dr. James F. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Over time, the body becomes accustomed to malnutrition, since it derives a portion of its daily calorie intake from alcohol. Fresh vegetables and fruits can supply the body with the nutrients it need to repair cells and begin functioning without alcohol. Juice fasting may help cleanse the liver and other organs of toxins built up over years of alcohol abuse. Also, nutritional therapy for problem drinkers should limit refined sugars and flours that can increase cravings for alcohol.
References
- Spiritual River: Alternative Alcoholism Treatment
- "Mayo Clinic Guide to Self Care"; Philip T. Hagen, M.D.; 2001
- Rational Recovery
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; James F. Balch, M.D.; 1997
