Clinician's Guide to the 12 Step Principles

This new series is directed to healthcare professionals who increasingly need information on holistic approaches to chronic illness in response to the growing demand from patients. Managed care has deferred responsibility for initial diagnosis and treatment of chronic conditions to primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals. The University of California's Institute for Health and Aging predicts that by 2020, 134 million Americans will have some form of chronic condition that will cause personal limitations or disabilities. Only about 33% of these patients will be "elderly". This book provides essential information describing the Twelve Steps, the most successful and widely used method of addressing alcoholism and addiction. Changes in health care financing have resulted in diminished addiction treatment resources throughout the country leaving clinicians with expanded responsibility for the care of addicted patients. Little has been written specifically for the professional about the Twelve Steps, which is the framework for most substance abuse programmes (even outside AA). The text provides a description of the structure and basic functioning of these programmes as well as a comprehensive examination of the individual steps. The reader should gain the ability to effectively communicate about the Twelve Steps with their patients and use the principles to enhance therapeutic endeavours.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. A Practical Solution. Chapter 2. Spiritual Experience. Chapter 3. The Historical Perspective. Chapter 4. Honesty. Chapter 5. Step One. Chapter 6. Step Two. Chapter 7. Step Three. Chapter 8. Steps Four and Five. Chapter 9. Steps Six and Seven. Chapter 10. Steps Eight and Nine. Chapter 11. Step Ten. Chapter 12. Step Eleven. Chapter 13. Step Twelve. Chapter 14. The Twelve Traditions. Chapter 15. Criticism of the Twelve Steps. Chapter 16. The Courage to Change: The Twelve Steps in Action. Appendix I: Location of AA Groups World Wide. Appendix II: The Twelve Steps on the World Wide Web.

About the Author :
Marvin D. Seppala, MD is a psychiatrist and addiction medicine expert in private practice in Portland, OR. Dr. Seppala is the former Corporate Medical Director of the Hazelden Foundation and is currently a consultant to the Native American Chemical Dependency Program (NARA) in Portland.

Review :
The author credibly presents an overview of the Twelve Steps and Traditions. There is a paucity of literature that uses an experiential approach to bridge the gap between a clinician's training and understanding of the spiritual aspects of the recovery program. Any clinician interested in addiction and recovery, or Twelve Step members, could benefit from this book. --------Weighted Numerical Score: 90 - 4 Stars! Doody's 20010701