The historical perspective of Alcoholics Anonymous including its roots in a spiritual movement and the success rates associated with this treatment are discussed. Jellinek’s contribution and the origins of the “disease” model are traced as well as alternative treatment methods (RR, SOS, Women for Sobriety, Moderation Management) . The difficulties with the court mandating treatment with AA are examined. Goals of treatment and questions about sobriety are discussed. The Constructionist solution for sobriety is described as a more collaborative approach, which has a heightened awareness of the influence of the treating environment. Treatment includes a dialogical process which honors the client’s goals.
Running Time: 43 minutes

Raymond C. Madsen is clinical director of the McCall Foundation, a comprehensive substance abuse treatment provider, in Connecticut. A Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor and LCSW for over 20 years, he also earned a Ph.D. in human development at the Fielding Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. He serves on a steering committee for a new state-funded Substance Abuse Case Management Program and oversees the experimental site operations of a federally funded research project examining the effectiveness of specific types of family interventions with children of alcoholics (Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) ).