Models of Alcoholism Based on Belief Systems
These are notes taken from the educational component of my in-patient rehabilitation in 1994. It may have been updated since then, but it was eye-opening to me.
Our belief systems are based on our experiences - childhood, environmental, social and religious affiliations - to name a few. Within those beliefs, there may be stigma attached to them. Here are a few of the common attitudes about alcoholism:
Impaired Model: (this is common to people who grew up in an alcoholic home). Preconcieved notion that the alcoholic cannot change. They feel that the only way to treat an alcoholic is to lock them up and throw away the key; to get them off the street. When operating under this model, the alcoholic himself may not consider himself to be an alcoholic because he may not perceive himself to have "crossed the line" that was set for him in his experience in dealing with his own alcoholic family.
Old Medical Model: Belief system that alcoholism is brought on by oneself. The cause of alcoholism is too much drinking, therefore the solution is to abstain or cut down. Medical community will only be concerned with physical deterioration. Doctors will detox and release the alcoholic; will provide no further treatment.
Dry Moral Model: states that alcoholism isn't an illness; rather, its a result of weak moral fiber and lack of character. Choices can be made to do the "right thing"; self-will to abstain is enough treament. Believes if you can choose to do the drug, then you must suffer the consequences. (popular belief in 19th century; this attitude led to Prohibition). Popular in fundamentalism - "please confess and rejoin the moral community". There is no treatment in this model because alcoholism is viewed as a character weakness.
Wet Moral Model: This model is common to alcoholics - speaks to the ability to control their drinking. Belief is that an alcoholic is a person who can't follow the rules set down by society. This model states there is no illness: therapy is based on making the alcoholic responsible and teaching them to drink responsibly. States that is is OK to drink within boundaries. Premise is that good people obey the law and bad people don't. (Know when to say when, good friends don't let their friends drive drunk, appoint designated driver, etc)
Psychoanalytic Model: The belief that addictive behavior is the result of an addictive personality. The alcoholic's behavior is the result of underlying psychological neuroses. A bad childhood results in the reason for an alcoholic to drink. Based on the belief system that if the alcoholic got to the root of the problem, he'd be able to get over it and learn to drink responsibly. Suggest a cure.
Family Interaction Model: comes from recent school of counseling. Acknowledges that the alcoholic impacts the entire family but believes that an alcoholic cannot achieve sobriety unless the entire family is treated.
New Medical Model: Recognizes that alcoholism is a disease and requires more than treating just the physical.
AA Model: most effective model. There is no such thing as a hopeless drunk - if he follows a few simple steps and abstains from drinking, he can obtain a healthy sobriety.
No matter what the belief system the alcoholic subscribes to, there is a common denominator. That is denial. Based on one' beliefs, often there is a stigma associated with it, and that prevents the alcoholics from seeking assistance in becoming sober.
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