HSV532: DBs Unit 7

DB 7.1: The 12 Steps and Sobriety

General Impressions of the 12 Steps

The 12 steps of recovery have long been an essential framework for individuals battling addiction. This model gives people accountability, religiosity, and support from the community. Every step has a role in leading people to achieve a lifetime of recovery free from substance use. Although all steps are crucial, three are essential in maintaining the continual process of recovery, and these are step one, step three, and step eleven: HSV532: DBs Unit 7.

Step 1: Acknowledging Powerlessness

Step 1 states, “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” This step is foundational because it drives individuals to confront their addiction openly. Admission of powerlessness can be empowering because people do not feel guilty or ashamed anymore and are forced to seek help and submit to the process of healing (Nash, 2020). For instance, embracing powerlessness means that one can be more active in support groups and share healing with other users since they understand their situation.

Step 3: Turning Over Control

Step 3 says, “Decided to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” This step focuses on submission, where people are required to quit having authority over their lives and instead seek help from the aforementioned power. This shift is usually important when it comes to the recovery process because the people in need develop the perception that they cannot fight the addiction all on their own (Wnuk et al., 2023). Through spirituality, several people discover meaning in life, which brings about emotional stability and independence from substance use.

Step 11: Seeking Spiritual Guidance

Step 11 encourages individuals to “seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.” Prayer and meditation refer to activities that are used to enhance people’s states of mind and overall well-being (Thomas, 2024). They give people short periods of serenity, giving them the power to face everyday strife without recourse to substances. Meditation is helpful in the reduction of stress, which is a key factor that leads to addiction.

References

Nash, A. J. (2020). The twelve steps and adolescent recovery: A concise review. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 14(65), 117822182090439. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221820904397

Thomas, S. (2024, September 3). 12-step programs for drug rehab and alcohol treatment. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/12-step

Wnuk, M., Krentzman, A. R., & Edyta Charzyńska. (2023). The 12-step Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Gratitude and its Relationship with Well-being among the members of Sexaholics Anonymous in Poland. Journal of Religion & Health, 23(47). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01892-7

DB 7.2: The Minnesota Model and Self-Help Groups

The Minnesota Model Overview

The Minnesota Model is a widely used approach in treating addiction, emphasizing the integration of medical, psychological, and social strategies. It perceives it as an ongoing disease that calls for a long-term approach to its cure and management. Its treatment model includes several stages: evaluation, induction, intermediate, habitual, and follow-up (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2020). Another outstanding component of this model is that the Minnesota Model utilizes group therapy, individual counseling, and spirituality based on 12-step programs.

Similarities between the Minnesota Model and Alcoholics Anonymous

Addiction as a Chronic Disease

The Minnesota Model and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) share the understanding that addiction is a chronic disease that requires ongoing management. Both models make abstaining from using drugs a way out of the vicious cycle as its virtue (Clark, 2023). For instance, AA members are encouraged to attend AA meetings frequently so as not to relapse. Similarly, individuals in the Minnesota Model attend therapy and consulting meetings until they are in rehabilitation.

The Role of Spirituality

Both models incorporate a spiritual element. AA entails the use of prayers and help from a higher power. The Minnesota Model also relies on the 12-step program that is centered on spiritual recovery (Kelly et al., 2020). This aspect provides hope and a focus to those who cannot visualize a life free of drugs and other substances when they rely on a power higher than them.

Differences between the Minnesota Model and AA

Medical Supervision

The Minnesota Model offers a more structured and medically supervised approach. This entails detoxification, a process in which clients are safely weaned from substances under the supervision of health care practitioners. This is especially crucial for people with severe cases of addiction who need medical attention during the detoxification period. Conversely, AA does not offer medical detox but relies on the mutual support and dedication of its members.

Comprehensive Therapy

The Minnesota Model incorporates not only group therapy but also individual counseling and family therapy. This concept holistically looks at the psychological, emotional, and social factors that cause addiction (Kelly et al., 2020). It is a more comprehensive treatment plan that involves healing on several levels, while AA primarily relies on group support and the shared experiences of its members.

References

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2020). Chapter 5—Specialized Substance Abuse Treatment Programs. Nih.gov; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64815/

Clark, D. (2023, March 14). Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), 12-Step Movement, and Minnesota Model. Recovery Stories. https://www.recoverystories.info/alcoholics-anonymous-aa-12-step-movement-and-minnesota-model/

Kelly, J. F., Humphreys, K., & Ferri, M. (2020). Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012880.pub2

DB 7.3: Laura’s Case and Treatment Approaches

12-Step Programs for Laura

Given Laura’s multiple dependencies, including alcohol, prescription medications (Valium, Xanax), and diet pills, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) could be beneficial (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2022). These programs would address the root causes of her addiction and offer a structured path to recovery.

Step 1: Admitting Powerlessness

Laura needs to confront the reality that her substance use has become unmanageable. Permanent sobriety can start with the acceptance of powerlessness over alcohol and prescription medications as a means of regaining control over her life. This could also be empowering for Laura because it shifts the blame, and she can turn to other recovering individuals for help.

Step 3: Turning Over Control

By surrendering her will to a higher power, Laura would learn to believe in something that she cannot control. This spiritual connection can minimize the levels of anxiety and emotional mayhem that drive her substance dependence. By making this step, Laura could attain a considerable measure of serenity, thereby building up the necessary psychic armor to face the challenges of one’s personal and professional life.

Step 9: Making Amends

As part of the 12-step process, Laura would commence a process of restitution to those she was possibly abusive to, including herself. This ensures that she can deal with all the guilt or shame that she may be having regarding her addiction. First, she would forgive herself and others, which would help her to free herself from the burden of guilt and avoid dwelling on negativity.

Minnesota Model Components for Laura

Medical Detoxification

Due to the complexity of Laura’s addiction, which includes alcohol, Xanax, and Valium, medical detoxification would be crucial. The Minnesota Model’s medically supervised detox would ensure that Laura’s withdrawal symptoms are managed safely, minimizing risks (Neale et al., 2024).

Individual Therapy

Laura’s substance use may be linked to unresolved grief, particularly the loss of her father. The Minnesota Model would enable Laura to stay engaged and isolate her emotions for individual therapy to enable her to fashion them into healthier modes of functioning. The therapy sessions would assist her in addressing the grieving process and help with the identification of emotions prompting substance use.

Group Therapy

The group therapy of the Minnesota Model is an opportunity for people to open up and join others and ask for help. Group therapy would be valuable for Laura because it provides a support system and decreases her loneliness while she focuses on recovery (Malhotra & Baker, 2022).

Additionally, completing both the twelve-step program and the Minnesota Model would help Laura meet both her psychological and physiological requirements. The 12 steps give one spiritual guidance and help with the typical notion of group support, while the Minnesota Model focuses on medical detox as well as therapy to address psychological dependency in order to achieve more stable and long-term abstinence.

References

Malhotra, A., & Baker, J. (2022). Group therapy. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549812/

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022, November 7). Benzodiazepines and opioids. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids

Neale, J., Cairns, B., Gardiner, K., Livingston, W., McCarthy, T., & Perkins, A. (2024). Inpatient detoxification for alcohol and other drug use: Qualitative study of patients’ accounts of their relationships with staff. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00523-0

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DBs Unit 7

DB 7.1

• In thinking about your reading about 12 step programs, what are your general impressions of the 12 steps? While the 12 steps are to be worked in order and none are more important than the others, please pick 3 of the steps and discuss how you feel this step is helpful in promoting and maintaining sobriety. Please be sure to share details and examples to support your claims.

NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

DB 7.2

• Please describe the Minnesota Model in your own words. Additionally, please pick either the Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous self-help groups (links below) and discuss how the Minnesota Model is both similar and different in concepts in treating addictions. Please discuss at least 2 similarities and 2 differences and provide examples to help support your clams.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Narcotics Anonymous

NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

DB 7.3
Laura is a very successful businesswoman in the high-stress high-powered world of corporate finance. She has been referred to you by the company’s employment assistance program. Laura presents herself as a no nonsense business professional. She is frank and honest about the events that has brought her to your office.

Laura tells you that although she tells herself that she will only have one or two glasses with dinner, she usually finishes the whole bottle. “ About five years ago I started having trouble sleeping and started to take a tranquilizer (5 mg Valium) I normally take one or two pills every two to four times a week to help her sleep through the entire night.”

In the morning she drinks at least 3 to 4 cups of coffee daily, even on the weekends. She noticed that her sleeping problems developed around the same time her Dad died. He was only in his early 50’s and they were very close. His death hit her hard and she says she wanted to give in to a big depression.

However, she fought it and lost herself in her work. She makes it a point to work out at least three times a week in the morning before going to work. In addition to the above medications, Laura is also prescribed Xanax as needed for panic attacks and diet pills (amphetamine congeners) to control her weight, a problem she had since she was a child.

Over the last year she has become more reclusive. She can barely make it to business dinners and after-work functions. Lately however, she has noticed that she has been steadily increasing her use of wine. Before, she would only have a few glasses with dinner but now reports:

“ ….more often than not I finish off the bottle before going to bed. I just can’t seem to stop. A lot of times I will come home and tell myself that I’ll only have one glass and no more but by the time I go to bed, the bottle is empty and I’m deciding whether I should open another or not. I never used to drink to excess or take anti-anxiety medication before. Now I can’t seem to stop drinking or taking these ‘downers’ at social events.

I can’t seem to control when I take them and things are happening that I’m not too happy about. Of course the alcohol adds to my weight problem which then causes me to take more of my Redux. Then I have to increase my Xanax to calm my nerves and also take my Valium to make sure I get a full night’s sleep. It has become a very vicious circle. All this has been going on for about a years but last week put the “cherry on the pie.”