Paradigms of Recovery: Theoretical Implications for Relapse Prevention in Alcoholics

Abstract

If planners keep the caveats of attention to long-term results, relapse prevention and employment of flexible, nondogmatic, forward-thinking personnel in mind, the move away from a myopic, pathogenic attitude toward addiction into a frame of mind which is challenged and ready to consider broad-based, long-term modalities designed to help people cope with life holistically appears to be the most positive and efficacious direction toward relapse prevention. Rather than to encourage alcoholics to surrender to forces beyond their control, the best approach may be strategies which reinforce the empowerment of people who feel spiritually empty, helpless and ineffectual.