Issue 7 Should Abstinence Be the Goal for Treating People with Alcohol Problems free essay sample

University of Phoenix Material Critical Issue Analysis (Tamara Hayes) Week 4†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Issue 7: Should Abstinence Be the Goal for Treating People with Alcohol Problems? After reading the selected critical issue, use the following questions to analyze the issue. 1. What are at least two facts presented by each side of the critical issue? YES FACT 1: Studies show that about half of people wanting to stop drinking are successful (Halgen, 2009). Fact 2: Abstinence is the goal for treatment on alcohol not just the twelve step program. NO FACT 1: Alcoholic experts state that most drunk driving offenders are not alcoholics. Yet they are presently the largest group of people in a court order program. FACT 2: A study in 1990 found that more three quarters of two hundred randomly selected treatment programs saw controlled drinking as an unaccepted goal† (Halgen, 2009, p. 184). 2. What are at least two opinions presented by each side of the critical issue? †¢ YES Opinion 1: Abstinence does not mean the recovery alcoholic will have a life of sadness due to feeling deprived. Opinion 2: Because of how hard abstinence is, it might take more than one attempt to stop (Halgen, 2009). NO Opinion 1: Not all people who abuse alcohol are alcoholics. Opinion 2: There can be abusers of alcohol, who are people drinking irresponsible and who are not alcoholics (Halgen, 2009).. 3. What are some of the strengths associated with the Pro side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses? Strength: A strong argument for abstinence is that if one has trouble controlling their drinking then how would one modify it. Weakness: Yet AA will also say that if you are a moderate alcoholic then you should be able to modify your drinking. I just get this statement. I do not see people as little alcoholics. This I would consider to be the weaker side of defending abstinence. 4. What are some of the strengths associated with the Con side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses? Strength: I read the section and I really am having a hard time coming up with the strengths of this side. I guess I could say that there are a few people who CLAIM to be alcoholics, who can drink moderately. I personally believe they were never alcoholics to begin with. Weakness: Just because a few people can drink reasonably, doesn’t mean it should be taught to alcoholics. 5. How credible were the authors of each argument? Explain your answer. Owen holds her doctoral and masters degrees in adult clinical psychology and a M. H. A. degree in health care administration from the University of Minnesota. She has also published numerous articles on chemical dependency and has given presentations at many national conferences. She was the director of Butler Center for research and Education at the Hazelden Institute in Center City, Minnesota (Moyers, n. d. ). Her passion for helping people with addictions started well over 20 years ago. Owen thought she would train for three months; learn a little about addiction in a psychiatric hospital, and then move on to a private practice (Moyers, n. d. ). The three months would change her life forever. Owen learned that people with addiction could really change, unlike other mental illnesses. People could live a normal life free from medication, with the help of other addicts and a higher spiritual power. This fascinated Owen (Moyers, n. d. ). So after reading Owens back ground I believe she is the most creditable in the area of abstinence. It is the area of study that Owen has dedicated her life to. 6. Based on the statements presented in this critical issue, which author do you agree with? Why? Dr. Owens side makes more sense to me. I also personal believe in abstinence. I have been married to two different alcoholics. Both men tried many programs to stay sober. The only program that worked the longest for both men was abstinence. Once they had a beer they could not stop. One husband would start by drinking one beer and could not stop until he passed out. The other man would start by drinking a beer or two a night and over a few weeks it would worsen until someone got hurt, always me! I have known to many friends and family members who abstinence from alcohol was the only way. I told my ex husband that I truly believed it was harder for me to lose weight than for him to stop drinking. He could try to stop drinking, but if I stopped eating I would literally die. Living with just eating a little is extremely hard! 1. Which side of this critical issue does contemporary research support? Please provide specific examples in your response. | | Currently abstinence is the side that contemporary researcher’s support. | | |The 12 step program has been in the past and still continues to be the most | | |successful and popular program for an alcoholic. The program promotes | | |abstinence. One will rely on their high power, the support of group members, | | |and a mentor to stay sober. This is also a program that Owens recommends. | | | | | | | | | | | |REFERNCES | | | | | | | | |Halgin, R. 2009). Taking sides: Clashing views in abnormal psychology | | |(5thed. ). New York: McGraw Hill. Professional regulation. (n. d). | | | | | |Moyers. (n. d. )An interview with patricia owen, ph. d. , Retrieved June 1, 2011 | | | | | |From http://www. thirteen. org/closetohome/treatment/html/owen. html | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |