How Alcohol Treatment Became Divorced from Alcohol Science: The Rise of the Minnesota Model
By Kenneth Anderson, MA Alcohol treatment wasn’t always divorced from alcohol science; the divorce between the two can be largely laid at the feet of Hazelden CEO Daniel John “Dan” Anderson, PhD (Mar 30, 1921 – Feb 19, 2003). Anderson’s attitude towards science was one of hubris and arrogance. The History of Alcohol Treatment in […]
Rethinking Treatment Goals, “Successful” Outcomes and Reduced Alcohol Use
By John de Miranda Innovation does not come quickly or easily to the addiction treatment sector. For example, harm reduction strategies had been employed in the public health sector for decades before their recent adoption by the federal government as a latecomer to fighting our nation’s opioid epidemic. Similarly, the Minnesota Model of addiction treatment, […]
Is Pro Football More Dangerous Than Substance Use?
By Tom Horvath, PhD Stanton Peele suggested this idea in one of his recent blogs. As we await Super Bowl Sunday (2/11/24) the question seems worth re-visiting. It would require a careful analysis of outcomes from pro football and substance use to provide an accurate comparison. The data about substance problems is easy to find. […]
Internal vs. External Mood Regulation
By Tom Horvath, PhD How well can I calm myself or energize myself using my own abilities? How much do I need to use a substance for help? Although at times a mild sedative (one drink) or mild stimulant (a cup of coffee) can be a helpful tool, the more we rely on such tools […]
The Alcenas Hospital and Lakeside Milam
By Kenneth Anderson, MA The history of alcohol treatment since the 1960s has been a history of practitioners ignoring science and the scientific method and forming conclusions based on observations of clinical populations without testing hypotheses, then self-publishing these hypotheses or publishing them in the popular press rather than in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Some of […]
The Non-Science of the Wegscheider-Cruse Family Roles Theory
By Kenneth Anderson, MA The Wegscheider-Cruse Family Roles Theory is one example of how “chemical dependency” treatment does not have the firm scientific foundation that it is suggested to have. Despite this lack of foundation, to become a certified addiction counselor today one must study Wegscheider-Cruse’s theory. Below I present the history of the development […]
Getting a Fresh Start in the New Year
By Tom Horvath, PhD Although you can embark on a new habit at any time of year, the New Year remains a popular starting time! Here are some suggestions on how to maximize your project. Decide whether to start small or start “big.” Even though your end point may evolve over time, decide at the […]
“Low Barrier” Treatment Options
By Tom Horvath, PhD This month the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the federal government released a 15-page document entitled Advisory: Low Barrier Models of Care for Substance Use Disorders. The document summarizes the difficulties associated with reaching and providing care for individuals with substance use disorders. Less than 10% of […]
Coping with Boredom
By Tom Horvath, PhD Boredom is the perception of being under-stimulated. We all have optimal levels of stimulation (some generally want more, some generally less). Whatever your level, when you are not getting enough, you are bored (and when over-stimulated, you may be stressed). Boredom is often considered an undesirable state. However, let’s start with […]
THIQs Revisited
by Kenneth Anderson, M.A. THIQ is an acronym which stands for tetrahydroisoquinoline, a chemical which is formed in the brain when a metabolite of alcohol combines with dopamine. The THIQ theory of “alcoholism” became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s, when it was erroneously believed that THIQs were formed in the brains of “alcoholics,” […]