An Evaluation of The Minnesota Model
and Therapeutic Communities
Ryan Pinkerton
Upper Iowa University
Abstract
There are many substance abuse treatments for addicts to choose from specializing in drugs, alcohol, and chemical dependencies. In this paper we will be evaluating the Minnesota Model of treatment and treatment through a Therapeutic Community. There will be specifications regarding each about their different approaches, methods, and results. Although both treatments have very positive success rates for addicts, they approach the cures to addiction in very different ways. In the Introduction section there will be a brief summary of each treatment method and what their specific goals are. In the Discussion section there will be specifics regarding what patients experience during their treatment, and how the treatments cure addiction.
Introduction
The Minnesota Model The Minnesota Model is primarily an inpatient treatment program similar to the 12-step model of Alcoholics Anonymous. Teams of professional therapists create individualized treatment programs lasting around a month to treat chemical dependencies and promote lifelong abstinence from drugs that clients are dependent on. It can also be an outpatient treatment in the form of self-help groups, where recovering addicts meet multiple times a week to evaluate and discuss their issues with dependency or relapse.
Therapeutic Communities
An addiction is a harmful relationship with drugs, alcohol, things or activities that brings about negative consequences by over use. People over use this relationship as a form of relaxation, reward or escape and overtime become dependent on these harmful relationships. Extensive research has gone into developing a program to help individuals overcome these harmful relationships. Alcoholics Anonymous has developed a 12- Step Program, which is a model that has been proven to benefit the community in helping to resolve addictions. The 12 step program helps to combat different type of addictions, although minor changes are made to deal with specific additions it is a very successful program. In Saint Petersburg Florida and program called
Substance abuse and drug addiction can bring negative repercussions to anyone’s life. The effects of these addictions can be very fatal to one’s health especially when done erroneously. Hence, rehabilitation centers and providers of substance abuse treatment in Lyndale Ave Bloomington Minnesota have been answers for a person to be able to get out from this condition.
There are some barriers or weaknesses common to most interventions that target addictive behaviors in the community. Heterogeneity in the population and cultural barriers has contributed to the lack of knowledge regarding substance use and its effects. Issues related to taboo, denial and loss of face mask understanding of the extent of the problem. Institutional barriers and lack of community infrastructure make treatment efforts difficult in serving a diverse population (Ja, 1993). In addition to the psychological barriers, other physical problems also exist. Most primary care physicians do not feel competent to treat alcohol and drug related disorders. Physicians generally do not like to work with patients with these disorders and do not find treating them rewarding. There is substantial evidence that physicians fail even to identify a large percentage of patients with these disorders (Miller, Sheppard, Colenda, & Magen, 2001). Financial barriers include inability to access treatment services by addicted individuals as indicated in various studies. There is also a competition for resources that has to be considered. Local governments allocate some part of their funding for specific issues and there is a competition among several stakeholders to ensure that their cause is represented. Research shows that prevention programs in the community on the issues of substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, school failure, juvenile delinquency and violence have to be
There is no doubt that there is a prevalence of substance abuse throughout several age groups. To a certain extent, a society is faced with the reality of controlling substance abuse. Or allow it run rampant throughout the community. Often times, we hear and read about the level of substance abuse among teen, young adults and mid-aged
Not every addict should be treated the same. The regimen should address all of the aspects of an individual's life, including medical and mental health and follow up options. Behavioral Treatments help patients modify their attitudes and behaviors and increase healthy lifestyle skills and options. They can enhance the effectiveness of medication and help addicts stay committed to the treatment process. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a behavioral treatment with the goal of helping the user recognize, avoid, and cope with anything and everything involving their drug use and recovery (Davison, 2007). Therapeutic communities can also be extremely effective, especially for those who are severely addicted. They are highly structured programs that often involve residency for up to 12 months. It is important to recognize that no single treatment is appropriate for all individuals addicted to drugs (National, 2005).
Adolescents are a population that can be at-risk in regards to drug and alcohol abuse. A program called the Community Reinforcement Approach was created and later adapted into the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach in the 1970s to address problems adolescents face when it comes to drug or alcohol abuse ("Intervention Summary - Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA)"). The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach works with adolescents from the ages twelve to twenty-five in both outpatient and residential settings. There are three parts to the program; the client has intervention alone first, next the guardian has intervention alone, and finally they have intervention together. It addresses mainly alcohol and drug abuse but also deals with mental health, homelessness, and other behaviors that can lead to substance abuse. The main focus of A-CRA is designed to change certain aspects of the participants’ environment to make it so that non-using behavior will be more rewarding than using behavior (Garner, et al., 2009). This program has been tested against multiple other approaches and it is usually the most cost-effective option, making it a desirable program when the success rate is also factored in. Many rehabilitation facilities utilize this approach, for example the Maryhaven treatment center in Columbus, Ohio. Maryhaven uses a combination of residential and outpatient treatment plans, incorporating the Adolescent Community
The need for a substance abuse recovery home in Starke County, Indiana is a need that is unmistakable in the county based on the hefty number of individuals that suffer from substance abuse and dependency in the county which is clearly displayed by the recent number of crimes that are related to or involve illicit and prescription drugs. In attempt to meet this need and create an opportunity for individuals suffering from substance abuse and dependency to receive local substance abuse treatment in a recovery home the proposal will be presented to several stakeholders within the Starke County community. The term stakeholder “refers to those people who are affected, or could be affected, by the service” (Canadian Career Development Foundation, n.d.) that is being proposed. The proposal for the creation of a substance abuse recovery home will be presented to five key stakeholders including Ms. Becky Anspach the director of Community Services of Starke County, Starke County Community Corrections director of operations Mr. Robert Hinojosa, Ms. Dee Lynch the director of the Indiana Department of Child Services of Starke County, Porter Starke Services facilitator of intensive outpatient program treatment (IOP), and Ms. Rhonda Adcock the director of Starke County CASA.
There are a variety of treatment modalities, both conservative and emerging, that clinicians, therapists, and doctors use to treat heroin and opioid dependence. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), 12 step programs, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are just a few that have been used in the past, and even today, in the treatment of substance dependence. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is yet another form of therapy; particularly for opioid and heroin dependence, that has been around for decades. However, it has recently begun to spark interest and controversy in light of the growing epidemic.
A broad range of medical and psychological therapies is currently available for people who struggle with substance addictions. The scientific community is working on evaluation of various treatments to determine which strategies offer the best chances of successful outcome. People who need treatment for alcoholism and drug use are very diverse group. Addiction is a disorder that requires an individual case approach; therefore, different ways to
Stevens, P., & Smith, R. L. (2013). Substance abuse counseling: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
There have been over 180 studies conducted on program participants and their outcomes. Information gained from over 100,000 participants has been evaluated. Outcomes have been positive in terms of relapse prevention, and in improved personality and social functioning, treatment compliance, and treatment retention. MRT has been the recipient of several recognitions from the University of Maryland researchers, the National Drug Court Institute, SAMHSA, Citizens' Crime Commission of Portland, North Carolina Department of Correction, United Nations Program Network Institutes, the Koch Crime Institute, and the Oregon Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
There are many contributing factors and political issues that address substance abuse. Throughout the years, many researchers have designed many interventions and social policies designed to treat people who have used, abused, and became addicted to substances. Today, there are many new studies that address substance abuse at the individual, group, family, and community or policy levels. Today, there are many services that are effective for decreasing recidivism in youth who have completed a substance abuse program. A substance abuse treatment program or center is the best way to treat individuals who have abused substances.
Scientific research shows that treatment can help many drug using offenders change their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors; avoid relapse; and successfully remove themselves from a life of substance use and crime. Treatment can cut drug use in half, decrease criminal activity, and reduce arrests. It is true that legal pressure might be needed to get a person into treatment and help them stay there. Once in a treatment program, however, even those who are not initially motivated to change can become engaged in a continuing treatment process. In fact, research suggests that mandated treatment can be just as effective as voluntary admission to rehab centers.
Numerous treatment methods are constantly being discovered and developed to help start alcohol and drug abusers down the path of sobriety. There are many different methods available to help addicts who need help or to help addicts who want help. Our system is diverting from a punishing approach to a treatment approach. This paper will examine the most popular inpatient and outpatient options available throughout the nation. The types of addicts who normally file into these types of settings will be exam e, and The Way of Life. May I do your will always” (Alcoholics). These prayers are recited by the addict and must be experienced as well as nurtured to successfully break your addiction and never go back once you have completed the twelve
Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday life, it beomes an addiction. A person on drugs has an altered way of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. There are treatment facilities all over the world dedicated to help those suffering with drug addictions. All