KEY TAKEAWAYS
Replicating the same outcome as traditional alcohol treatment but by different methods can be achieved by:
Understanding What Traditional Alcohol Treatment Programmes Achieve
Components Of A Traditional Residential | How It Contributes To Long-Term Sobriety |
|---|---|
Detox | Medication minimises withdrawal symptoms |
Group Therapy | Understanding triggers and underlying beliefs of addiction |
Personalised therapy | In-depth triggers and trauma addressed for |
Aftercare plan | Plan to continue support groups, therapy or |
Physical health routine | Leads to improvements in mental health |
Access to 12 step programme | Tackling recovery via a ‘Higher Power’ |
Massage, reiki and reflexology | Multi-disciplinary approach to recovery |
Personal case manager | Consistent support throughout treatment |
When An Alternative Alcohol Treatment May Be Necessary
Lack Of Financial Resources For Rehab
Private fully residential rehab programmes can be expensive and NHS-funded places have long waiting lists, causing some to seek out alternative recovery support to quit drinking.
Many Failed Rehab Attempts
Previous trauma can be triggered in rehab group therapy, making personalised therapy a better option.
Physical Illnesses
Co-occurring illnesses that require intensive treatment, such as dialysis or chemotherapy, mean it is not possible for the patient to attend a fully residential rehab. They may instead attempt alternative treatment options.
PTSD
In group therapy, traumatic experiences discussed in the group may bring up issues that trigger others, meaning personalised therapy may be a better alternative treatment approach.
Schizophrenia
Alcohol worsens auditory hallucinations and paranoia via liver failure; requiring a hospital detox with a psychiatric intervention [2].
Family Responsibilities
Parents who are unable to access childcare during their time at rehab may attempt alternative approaches for alcohol abuse.
52% of those caring for family members suffer from mild alcohol dependence, but cannot attend rehab due to responsibilities. Other approaches may be more appropriate based on time available [3].
Alternative Alcohol Treatment - Complete Programmes
SMART
SMART recovery is a support group consisting of peer-led group recovery meetings, with the main philosophy being:
This differs from traditional treatment options since:
LifeRing
LifeRing secular recovery consists of local meetings, daily online meetings and books and pamphlets about treating addiction.
LifeRing recovery is based on the 3-S philosophy, including:
This differs from traditional treatment as:
HAMS
HAMS consists of exclusively online support groups; including online forums, chatrooms, email or Facebook groups and live meetings [6].
The HAMS philosophy consists of the following:
This differs from traditional addiction treatment as:
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous consists of in-person meetings, with supplementary literature of the Big Book, twelve steps, twelve traditions and AA structure handbook.
The AA philosophy consists of the following 12 steps:
This differs from traditional treatment as:
Alternative Alcohol Treatment - Individual Approaches, Components, Therapies
Acupuncture
Acupuncture decreases alcohol intake by 15% in those with alcohol use disorder [8].
The potential disadvantage of acupuncture is that progress experienced during treatment may be undone between sessions.
Traditional rehabs use acupuncture as part of a full rehab programme, not as the only approach.
Alternative Detox Agents
Alternative detox agents with a history of success in alcohol recovery include:
Abbeycare will typically disallow admission for those with diazepine allergies as the risk of seizure is too high. Gabapentin or Valproate is only used in a strictly supervised detox setting or hospital detox.
Nutritional Counselling
Choosing nutrient-dense foods through nutritional counselling, in combination with prescription medication, may improve the efficacy of detox.
62% of alcoholic liver disease sufferers show signs of malnutrition [12].
Combining Alternative Programmes With Alternative Approaches For Optimal Long-Term Outcomes
Client Need | Example | Appropriate | Missing from |
|---|---|---|---|
Detox | GP prescription, | Acupuncture | Professional medical |
Personalised therapy | Private therapy, NHS counselling, | Self-help CBT | Lack of professional |
Group therapy | Online groups | Mutual aid groups | Professionally led |
Aftercare plan | Mutual aid groups | Sponsor led | Dependent on one source of support |
Physical health | Preferred exercise routine | Yoga or reiki | Unsupervised, |
12 step programme | AA groups | Betel or Salvation | Detox |
Mindfulness and | Preferred for | N/A | Professional |
Sponsor | Sponsor in the | Online sponsor | A personal |
Alcohol use disorder with eating disorder | SMART or LifeRing | Nutritional | Medical care and |
Mild to moderate alcohol use disorder | HAMS | Acupuncture and supplements | Talking therapy |
Harm reduction, not | HAMS | Supplements | Detox, addressing |
Secular, | SMART or LifeRing | Self-help CBT | Professional input to fulfil needs |
Prefers religious or spiritual approach | Alcoholics | Betel or Salvation | Professional |
When Alternative Alcohol Treatment Is NOT Appropriate
Repeated failed detox attempts
65-70% relapse 1 year after undergoing alcohol withdrawal [14].
Relapse is more likely without a structured plan created by a rehab facility.
History of severe withdrawal symptoms
If the patient has a history of delirium tremens, seizures or hallucinations, alternative treatment options are not a substitute for the 24-hour medical assistance provided by a traditional treatment provider.
Alternative treatment is also not appropriate for those with diazepine allergies, as they will run a greatly increased risk of seizure.
Enablers
Friends and family members who are enabling alcoholics may either attempt to sabotage the alternative treatment, or encourage the alcoholic to fall back into old patterns of addiction, making traditional rehab, away from these associations, a better option.
