alcoholism/chemical dependency

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

A 41 year old patient has a 44 year old sister who is chemically dependent to nicotine/alcohol. The cigarettes are the primary addiction, alcohol the second. Both are chronic and severe. The patient has business dealings with his sister and believes her chemical dependency is causing too many problems. He fears for the businesses amidst the interpersonal discord resulting from her addictions. He realizies he cannot no longer be in business with her because of this. She is not married, no children, has a boyfriend who she does not live with. The boyfriend has gone so far as to express concern about her drinking. Her addictions are definately profound, chronic and debilitating. The brother has confronted her a few different times. The last time he had to pressure her into a meeting with a substance abuse/chemical dependency counselor or he would severe his business ties. In that meeting, she, for the first time: 1) admitted to being an alcoholic, 2) agreed to get evaluated and participate in his intensive out-patient facility (because she won't consent to go to 28 day treatment center as recommended by the counselor), and 3) upon failure of the out-pt, she consented to go to 28 day in-pt facility. The next week, in the first meeting alone with the counselor in out-pt, she basically did not want to play by his rules by participating in the typical 12 step program he was recommending. The counselor said he can't work with anyone who wont participate in his treatment plan (a renown out-pt program) and she leaves his office "amicably". She did not get evaluated formally as promised. Three weeks pass. Her brother is firm to begin severing all business ties because she, again, is not living up to her promises. Facing pressure from her brother, the sister says she is seing a counselor (basic, not specialize in chem-dependency) who is recommending "Rational Recovery" (RR) and not Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The brother wants to trust in her sister but is tired of playing the same games. The sister has no accountability to her brother now or anyone after leaving the previous addictions counselor. He is worried, not only for the businesses but also also for her welfare.

Anyone hear of this "Rational Recovery?" I did some preliminary research on-line and find it to be pitched as a magic bullet with no formal recognition or acceptance from any established medical field. They tout Addictive Voice Recognition Technique, or AVRT with a 91% success rate. I am skeptical but open to learning more. The brother believes it to be more smoke and mirrors from his chemically dependent sister... someone who clearly cannot see what a problem her addictions are nor what destruction it is wrecking in her life. The substance abuse counselor (a Dr. Phil type) basically told the brother "if that were my sister, I would not be in business with her."

What is this "RR" or Rational Recovery? Also, all advice on this chemical dependency, and what the brother can do from here is appreciated.

All the Best,

Lemley, ND

Bozeman, MT**************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002)

[Guest guest]

Dear and Unda Group,I don't know about Rational Recovery.  I'm also eager to hear more from others.Please see the website for www.gracermedicalgroup.com.  (I see his patients two afternoons a week).  He has written a book entitled "A New Prescription for Addiction".  (I wrote one brief chapter on the "Surviving Withdrawal Diet", very basic.)  In fact, he is using a combination of medications (see Hythiam/Prometa, subutex, suboxone) combined with nutrient therapies, acupuncture, and mandatory weekly counseling for one year - therapists on staff).  I have seen amazing recoveries including from methamphetamine, pain meds/benzo's, and alcohol.  The medication helps to satisfy the brain receptors that have gone awry, thus bypassing withdrawal for the most part, and stabilizing the mind.  Then their is a life to rebuild, new habits of living to learn.  It is a great program for the many middle and upper class hidden addicts who are not likely to admit their issue or align themselves (at least to start with the entire addictive population).  Look it up on the web and see if you can find someone who administers the meds etc. in your area.As in your example, this is a crises that needs to be managed.  We recently got a thank you letter from someone who said, I am following the outline Leni gave me in detail (etc., etc.), but I did not start him on natural therapies until he was stabilized.Hope this is helpful.  Dear Group,A 41 year old patient has a 44 year old sister who is chemically dependent to nicotine/alcohol.  The cigarettes are the primary addiction, alcohol the second.  Both are chronic and severe.  The patient has business dealings with his sister and believes her chemical dependency is causing too many problems.  He fears for the businesses amidst the interpersonal discord resulting from her addictions.  He realizies he cannot no longer be in business with her because of this.  She is not married, no children, has a boyfriend who she does not live with.  The boyfriend has gone so far as to express concern about her drinking.  Her addictions are definately profound, chronic and debilitating. The brother has confronted her a few different times.  The last time he had to pressure her into a meeting with a substance abuse/chemical dependency counselor or he would severe his business ties.  In that meeting, she, for the first time: 1) admitted to being an alcoholic, 2) agreed to get evaluated and participate in his intensive out-patient facility (because she won't consent to go to 28 day treatment center as recommended by the counselor), and 3) upon failure of the out-pt, she consented to go to 28 day in-pt facility.  The next week, in the first meeting alone with the counselor in out-pt, she basically did not want to play by his rules by participating in the typical 12 step program he was recommending.  The counselor said he can't work with anyone who wont participate in his treatment plan (a renown out-pt program) and she leaves his office "amicably".    She did not get evaluated formally as promised.  Three weeks pass. Her brother is firm to begin severing all business ties because she, again, is not living up to her promises.  Facing pressure from her brother, the sister says she is seing a counselor (basic, not specialize in chem-dependency) who is recommending "Rational Recovery" (RR) and not Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).  The brother wants to trust in her sister but is tired of playing the same games.  The sister has no accountability to her brother now or anyone after leaving the previous addictions counselor.  He is worried, not only for the businesses but also also for her welfare.Anyone hear of this "Rational Recovery?"  I did some preliminary research on-line and find it to be pitched as a magic bullet with no formal recognition or acceptance from any established medical field.  They tout Addictive Voice Recognition Technique, or AVRT with a 91% success rate.  I am skeptical but open to learning more.  The brother believes it to be more smoke and mirrors from his chemically dependent sister... someone who clearly cannot see what a problem her addictions are nor what destruction it is wrecking in her life.  The substance abuse counselor (a Dr. Phil type) basically told the brother "if that were my sister, I would not be in business with her."What is this "RR" or Rational Recovery?  Also, all advice on this chemical dependency, and what the brother can do from here is appreciated.All the Best, Lemley, NDBozeman, MT**************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002)