Download or read book Alternatives to Abstinence written by Heather Ogilvie and published by . This book was released on 2002-05-01 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over 50 million Americans struggle with alcohol. Is total abstinence the only answer? Chances are, you or someone you love has a drinking problem. Most of us think the only solution is the twelve-step program of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. We readily accept that alcoholism is a disease and that the only path leading to a lasting recovery is quitting cold turkey. But what if this conventional wisdom is wrong? Now, Heather Ogilvie shows that there really are alternatives to abstinence in the new paperback edition of this groundbreaking book. This balanced and unbiased look at our current methods of treating problem drinkers will open your eyes to a world of treatment options beyond AA. Readers will discover: Why current attitudes toward alcoholism stem more from folk theories than from medical evidence. How expanding treatment options will lead to greater overall recovery rates. How decades of well-established research contradict popular belief about the nature of alcoholism as an irreversible disease. Descriptions of twelve alternative treatment options that are at least as effective as twelve-step programs. A comprehensive listing of public and private organizations, as well as individual therapists, specializing in alternative or traditional treatments.Finally, Americans will be able to discuss and treat problem drinking without the misinformation that has plagued us in the past. If AA has not worked for you, there are Alternatives to Abstinence.