A clear and compassionate guide to overcoming substance problems

"A no-nonsense, state-of-the-art guide."—Laurie Garrett, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Coming Plague

"Comprehensive, illuminating, easy to read."—William Cope Moyers, Vice President of Public Affairs, Hazelden Foundation

In Recovery Options: The Complete Guide, Joseph Volpicelli, M.D., Ph.D., an award-winning addiction research pioneer, and Maia Szalavitz, a Pulitzer Prize–nominated journalist and former addict, provide frank and impartial appraisals of all the major treatment options, including:

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Moderate drinking programs
• Alternative treatments
• Therapeutic communities
• Cognitive therapies
• Other 12-step programs
• Medications
• Methadone
• Harm reduction
• How families can help

In Recovery Options: The Complete Guide, you will learn what addiction is—and what it isn’t. You will examine both the mechanism of addiction and how you can make the best treatment choices . . . why some people are particularly prone to substance problems . . . and the genetic and learning mechanisms that help create these conditions. You’ll explore the various types of treatment and the ideas on which they are based, and find out how effective each treatment is—and which ones are not effective. Finally, you’ll find supportive information on staying clean and sober, preventing relapse, and minimizing damage caused by slips that may occur. Featuring the dramatic real-life stories of patients’ experiences (both good and bad) with various methods of recovery, this warm, sympathetic, and accessible guide to overcoming alcohol and other drug problems will help you and your loved ones begin the journey away from substance misuse toward a better life.

"Comprehensive, illuminating, and easy to read, this book points out the diverse paths to the ultimate goal-- recovery from alcohol and other drug abuse." ( William Cope Moyers, Vice President of Public Affairs, Hazelden Foundation)

"Finally! A no-nonsense, state-of-the-art guide that one can hand to anybody who is having trouble with drugs, alcohol, tobacco or foods of various kinds. What a gift Volpicelli and Szalavitz have given us: a stupendous, practical way to help the colleagues and loved ones in our lives who are struggling with chemical dependency."--( Laurie Garrett, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of THE COMING PLAGUE: NEWLY EMERGING DISEASES IN A WORLD OUT OF BALANCE)

"At last a sensible, clear guide for consumers who are facing the tough choice of seeking treatment for addictive behaviors. In a field long driven by emotion and minimal scientific evidence, Volpicelli and Szalavitz impartially review the options and explain them in clear language. In addition, they take some of the hysteria out of the issues facing substance users and their loved ones by providing a coherent summary of what we really know about alcohol and other drugs. A must read. Bravo!"-- (Fred Rotgers, Assistant Chief Psychologist, Smithers Addiction Treatment and Training Center)

"Wise, accurate, responsible, accessible, and well written. I'm assigning it for my course in drug policy."--( Mark Kleiman, Professor of Policy Studies at UCLA and author of AGAINST EXCESS: DRUG POLICY FOR RESULTS)

"Joe Volpicelli is one of the most creative research scientists and clinicians in the addiction field. With Maia Szalavitz, he has put together a highly practical and effective book describing a modern approach to the treatment of alcoholism and other addictive disorders. This approach is steeped in pragmatism and soundly based on science. It utilizes techniques that work and that have been adapted to the needs of individual patients. The writing is clear, succinct and understandable. It should be a very useful guide for patients, their families, and professionals in addressing this terrible disease."--(Charles P. O'Brien, MD, PhD, Kenneth Appel Professor, Department of Psychiatry, VA Medical Center, President, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology)

The most comprehensive book available covering all the different treatments for substance addiction.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 287-295) and index.

Joseph Volpicelli, M.D., Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and Senior Scientist at the Penn/VA Center for Research on Addictive Diseases. He has appeared on ABC, NBC, CNN, and CBS-TV. Maia Szalavitz has written for the Village Voice, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. She was series researcher for Bill Moyers's five-part series on addiction and has appeared as a guest on Oprah.

THE PROBLEM AND THE SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS.

Understanding Problems with Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Drugs 101.

What Causes Addiction?

Addiction Treatment Philosophies.

What Works, What Doesn't.

For Families: Stages of Change and Ways to Make a Difference.

Overcoming Barriers to Recovery.

How to Choose Treatment.

THE OPTIONS.

BRENDA: The Penn Paradigm.

Getting Off: Medications to Help You Quit.

Medications to Reduce Craving and Relapse.

Twelve-Step Programs.

Other Self-help Groups.

The Minnesota Model.

Therapeutic Communities.

Moderate-Drinking Approaches.

Harm Reduction.

Methadone.

Alternative Treatments.

Teen Treatment.

LIFE AFTER TREATMENT.

Relapse and Relapse Prevention.

Emotional and Psychological Problems in Recovery.

A New Life: Maintaining Recovery in the Long Run.

Appendix.

Notes.

Index.