Beyond the Influence: Understanding and Defeating Alcoholism

This invaluable work will contribute much to the battle against our number one disease."

--from the Foreword by George McGovern, former senator and author of Terry: My Daughter's Life-and-Death Struggle with Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a disease. It's time we started treating it like one.

Science has offered undisputed proof that alcoholism is a disease rather than a weakness of character, yet millions of alcoholics continue to suffer due to inappropriate treatment.  Now the co-author of the modern classic Under the Influence has teamed up with prominent alcoholism experts to provide new answers to this national epidemic.

Based on the latest scientific research, Beyond the Influence clearly explains the neurological nature of the disease and reveals why some people drink addictively and others do not.  It also spells out what needs to be done to treat alcoholism, including:

Steps to take for an intervention

How to find the right treatment program

Which psychological approaches work best

Why spirituality is essential to recovery

New insights into relapse prevention

What you should know about diet, exercise, and nontraditional treatments such as acupuncture

Provocative and eye-opening, compelling and compassionate, Beyond the Influence is not only a message of hope for alcoholics--it is a blueprint for saving lives.

BEYOND THE INFLUENCE explains that alcoholism is a disease of the body, not a weakness of character. Drawing on the latest scientific studies, the authors present new research on the central role of genetics and neurotransmitters in addiction. Continuing where the prior book left off, it also includes:

Steps for diagnosis and intervention, plus ways to prevent relapses

Various treatment models, including inpatient and out-patient programs and a review of new drug treatments

The most effective types of psychological counseling

The critical role of nutrition

Non-traditional healing methods for recovery

The importance of a spiritual component to recovery

The authors also critique our nation's alcoholism policies, including education and prevention programs, efforts to curtail college bingeing and underage drinking, and the advertising and marketing strategies of the alcohol industry. -->

ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE. IT'S TIME WE STARTED TREATING IT LIKE ONE.<P>Science has offered undisputed proof that alcoholism is a disease rather than a weakness of character, yet millions of alcoholics continue to suffer due to inappropriate treatment. Now the co-author of the modern classic Under the Influence has teamed up with prominent alcoholism policy and treatment experts to examine the reasons why alcoholism continues to plague our nation in epidemic proportions.<P>Based on the latest scientific research, Beyond the Influence clearly explains the neurological nature of the disease and reveals why some people drink addictively while others do not. Beyond the Influence also spells out exactly what needs to be done to treat alcoholism, including: <BR>-- A step-by-step guide to intervention<BR>-- The crucial components of an effective treatment program<BR>-- The most successful types of psychological counseling<BR>-- The spiritual elements essential for recovery<BR>-- Methods for preventing relapses<BR>-- Nontraditional treatments, including diet, exercise, and acupuncture<BR>-- Ways to dispel the liquor-industry myth that alcohol is a benign drug that causes addiction only in those who "abuse" it<P>Provocative and eye-opening, compelling and compassionate, Beyond the Influence is not only a message of hope for alcoholics — it is a blueprint for saving lives.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [299]-337) and index.

Katherine Ketcham is the author of nine nonfiction books, including five on alcoholism.  William Asbury, former Editor-In-Chief of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, writes and lectures frequently on the nation's alcohol problems.  Mel Schulstad is former president and co-founder of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors.

Dr. Arthur Ciaramicoli is director and chief psychologist of the Alternative Therapy Center of the Metrowest Medical Wellness Center in Natick, Massachusetts and is an instructor at Harvard Medical School.