“To cease smoking is the easiest thing I ever did. I ought to know because I’ve done it a thousand times.”—Mark Twain
Samuel Clemens (Twain was his nom de plume) humorously mocked his inability to end his nicotine-fueled habit. But he might have gone for Quitting Round 1,001 had he had the benefit of recent research.
In 1982 Stanley Schachter, an eminent social psychologist then at Columbia University, unleashed a storm of controversy in the addictions field by publishing an article show-ing that most former smokers and overweight people he interviewed had changed successfully without treatment. He also cited a study that reported even higher rates of recovery among heroin users without treatment.
A particularly controversial finding was that the success rates of his so-called self-changers were actually greater than those of patients who underwent professional treatment. Schachter discussed two possible explanations. First, treatment seekers may be more severely addicted than self-changers. Second, studies typically examine only one change endeavor, whereas his interviews covered a lifetime of efforts. Perhaps it takes many tries before a person gets it right, he suggested.
Schachter’s findings were met with intense skepticism, even outright disbelief, particularly by those who believed in a disease model of addiction. In this view, addictions are diseases caused by physiological and psychological factors that are triggered by using the substance (drugs or alcohol); once the disease is triggered, the addict cannot control his or her substance use, and complete abstinence is the only way to manage the disease. Proponents of this model did not believe that so many people could change their addictions at all, let alone without treatment. Other criticisms came from researchers who questioned the scientific value of Schachter’s work because it was based on a small and selective sample and relied on self-reports of past behavior, which often are not accurate pictures of what really happened. Nevertheless, his findings served as a catalyst, encouraging many researchers to study self-change in addictive behaviors. Let us examine what the research tells us about how widespread successful self-change is for problem drinking and drug addiction.
Rates of Success
Psychologist Reginald Smart of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto recently reviewed the findings on the prevalence of self-change efforts among problem drinkers. We draw the following conclusions from his review and from our reading of the literature:
- Most of those who change their problem drinking do so without treatment of any kind, including self-help groups.
- A significant percentage of self-changers maintain their recovery with follow-up periods of more than eight years, some studies show.
- Many problem drinkers can maintain a pattern of nonproblematic moderate use of alcohol without becoming readdicted.
- Those who do seek treatment have more severe alcohol and related problems than those who do not.
Although fewer studies of self-change in drug addiction exist, the results generally mirror those for problem drinking. In summary: self-change in drug addiction is a much more common choice for solving the problem than treatment is; a substantial percentage of self-changers are successful; a significant percentage of those who were formerly addicted continue to use drugs occasionally without returning to addiction-level use, and they maintain these changes fairly well over time; and those who seek treatment usually have more severe problems than those who do not.
The experiences of Vietnam veterans are especially instructive. Sociologist Lee N. Robins, then at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and her associates published a widely cited series of studies beginning in 1974 on drug use and recovery in these veterans. While overseas, about 20 percent of the soldiers became addicted to narcotics. After discharge to the U.S., however, only 12 percent of those who had been addicted in Vietnam were found to be in that state at any time during the three-year follow-up. Fewer than 5 percent had overcome their addiction through therapy. Additional findings from Robins’s studies suggested that abstinence is not necessary for recovery. Although nearly half the men who were addicted in Vietnam tried narcotics again after their return, only 6 percent became readdicted.
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Add CommentMost people who make it into places like AA are 'last gaspers' who have tried countless times and used a variety of techniques to quit. The nature of addiction really needs to be studied. There are the problem drinkers who can quit and moderate on their own. This is the group to which you refer.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe addiction recovery industry is filthy with myth, misinformation and pseudo-science. There are no gatekeepers to prevent addiction professionals from preying on weak, marginalized people. Most spouses and employers are quite happy to have ANYONE take addicts off their hands and any price. No one escapes addiction--no one--without self-change. Addiction professionals naturally view this as apostasy. Yet addiction specialists fail to to be effective. AA is nothing more than good old-fashioned faith healing. How many doctors tell their patients that they are powerless over their cancer and the only hope is to turn their lives over to god? Well, if addiction is a disease, then that is precisely the prescription-- turn your life over to god. Why don't medical professionals cry foul? Because if they do, then they lose the recovery industry run landfill for addicts. Addicts have to take responsibility or die. As harsh as that sounds, it makes no less sense than the socially acceptable fantasy that allow millions and millions of health care dollars to flow to the useless recovery industry.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHallucinogen addiction is a drug which stimulates from plants and used for hallucination by people. There are many treatment centers located in country which offer the clients cost effective treatment program for hallucinogen addiction.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.addiction-treatments.com/
AA is an addiction.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree totally. It is a matter of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, an internal vs. external locus of control. No one changes unless THEY change. No one can make the change for you. Relying on something outside yourself to change you is doomed to failure.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI also agree that treatment programs are a sham...They profit on people's misery and failure. I have heard many, many people claim that they have been through numerous treatments, sometimes as many as 100. If treatment worked, why would someone need 100 treatments? A.A. is also suspicious, as many regular members do not stay sober, many drop out and many die. Those who succeed say it was because of A.A., the 12 steps, working with a sponsor, their "higher power," etc. It's cherry-picking. I've heard plenty of people claim they found their "higher power," work with a sponsor, do the 12 steps, etc., who drink themselves into a stupor the following weekend. Some do everything "right" and wind up dead. I think what A.A. can provide is a group of friends, a distraction, a place to go...But this, as leesmithjr pointed out, can be an addiction, too. I've seen plenty of men and women with many years of sobriety who still attend seven meetings per week (sometimes more). Many are still single, work in low-paying jobs and don't talk about any sort of future beyond continuing to go to A.A. meetings. They can't think of anything better to do on a Friday or Saturday night than go to an A.A. meeting. There's no talk of getting married, raising a family, buying a house, pursuing a career, going back to school, etc. Often, these sorts of pusuits are even frowned upon, lest they interfere with your "program" and "make you drink." I was even told by someone that I shouldn't get together with a college friend because he wasn't a member of A.A. Scary.
<A HREF="http://www.drugrehabscenters.com/Best/New-York-Drug-Rehabs.html">New York drug treatment</A> rehab center provide various remedial care ad camps troubled youths. The main objective of such camps is to give an atmosphere where disturbed kids can feel better, comfortable and focus on their aims. The services given by these boot camps are very effectual and helpful for the teens those have behavioral, mental and addiction problems. For more information you can visit our site which helps you in choosing the most appropriate rehab facilities and affordable drug addiction treatment programs.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.drugrehabscenters.com/
<A HREF=http://www.drugrehabscenters.com/Best/New-York-Drug-Rehabs.html>New York drug treatment</A> rehab center provide various remedial care ad camps troubled youths. The main objective of such camps is to give an atmosphere where disturbed kids can feel better, comfortable and focus on their aims. The services given by these boot camps are very effectual and helpful for the teens those have behavioral, mental and addiction problems. For more information you can visit our site which helps you in choosing the most appropriate rehab facilities and affordable drug addiction treatment programs.
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Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have been on baclofen for 2 months now. It is nothing short of a miracle for me. Suffered under alcohol for 20+ years. Rehab twice. Had 1 yr sober then relapsed. FINALLY - I found baclofen looking for answers & my doctor let me try it. I HAVE BECOME COMPLETELY INDIFFERENT toward alcohol/drugs. IT HAS SAVED MY LIFE. If you are suffering, talk to your doctor. I take 120mg/day. The anxiety is manageable & I have hope for long term successful recovery. But - I am hearing conflicting reports if this drug is addicting or not. I would like to have input on this.
However, I do not agree w/ 1 thing Dr. Ameisen says. He says he can go out and have an occasional drink. After what I have seen alcohol do to me and my family, I would NEVER even take 1 sip. And w/ baclofen on board, I have not even been tempted. Not 1 single time.
Makes one wonder if all therapy is a revolving door. Is the substitute is more addictive than the original problem? You seek therapy because you are in treatment. Just like one drinks to alleviate being a drinker, or automatically gets the urge to smoke at the mention of quitting. I've seen people set their minds to quit and it is relatively easy for them. It seems to take a positive resolve. You aren't giving something up, you are getting rid of something--addiction. The addict will always crave and using only lasts a short time before craving again--but the former addict gets over the craving... in time. The former addict is realistic about how weak or strong a craving really is and also realistic about how long to expect for them to subside. Glorifying the craving just prolongs it just like over reacting to a child's bad behavior it just reinforces it. Try instead--"Oh sweetie, we don't DO that anymore, remember? We are just another craving closer to getting rid of them for good." 30 seconds later....."Oh, sweetie we forgot again. We don't do it anymore. Isn't it great to be free!"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou people are ignorant! This is a very baffling disease and no one has all the answers. There are people who try to quit on their own and fail more than even those who repeatedly go in and out of treatment. I do not try to tell a surgeon how to do brain surgery! Unless you have this disease or know someone who has recovered you are only doing more harm then good. Just like no one who is suicidal should go into a treatment program or on drugs for that issue. Just do it on your own! How many people die because they listened to this crap! It is a very hard disease and recovery is tough no matter how you do it. And lots of people die of it! I have 15 years sober (no mind altering drugs in my body) I go to AA for the support and not to take your advice because if I did I also would be one of those dead drunks! I went to treatment and learned about alcoholism. Maybe some of you should do a better job of learning before becoming so quick with judgement. IT is about being broken physically, mentally, spiritually, ect..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYour advice could end up killing someone because they don't get help!
Is addiction the problem or a symptom of the problem? It would seem that the term "addiction" paints with a broad brush, and so there maybe no one answer. But this would also be an argument also against such 'one size fits all" treatment models as AA. The notion that addiction is a disease has not been proven. The real question here is do we continue to look at the research that is being done, such as this article describes, or do we resign ourselves to a lifetime of 12 step meetings?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOne more thing, why does AA not address smoking and overeating, while they are dealing with drinking?
Thanks for the helpful information, though the study may be controversial, it seems like the idea of being able to recover from substance or porn addiction based upon willpower would be hopeful for many who struggle with the habits associated with such activities. http://curethecraving.com
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI was a licensed addictions counselor for over 8 years. The current state of addiction treatment is not up to date. Many counselors I saw falsified records, did not enter records on time as required, took Continuing Ed classes not related to addiction. Both the AMA and APA accept addiction as a disease (since the 1950s and early 1960s) and yet many of those Drs do not treat the disease. Those suffering from the disease, addicts/alcoholics and everyone around them deserve better care from the health professionals.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMake no mistake:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAbusing alcohol is dangerous and will lead to serious problems.
a) Continued excessive drinking of alcohol is nothing more than a bad choice that can create different physiological side effects including craving. As with any mood altering substance, a natural psychological reliance will also develop. Because both body and mind are controlled by this choice, this categorically cannot be labeled as a disease.
b) All major studies clearly point to the same fact regarding chronic alcoholic and drug users. Every year more people quit on their own than with the help of any 12 step treatment programs:
”Everybody is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.” And the facts are tallied:
Any success rate that is less than the usual rate of spontaneous remission indicates a program that is a real disaster and is hurting the patients. AA/12 steps is that deleterious program. Simply, AA does not work, all studies prove this fact.
c) This self-imposed addiction will always generate a form of physiological reliance. With alcohol, the now addicted person will have forms of withdrawals when they stop drinking. This physical illness is very short lived and if need be the withdrawals can be very easily stopped with medication from a doctor and only with a doctor’s supervision.