"Counseling (individual and/or group) and other behavioral therapies are critical components of effective treatment for addiction."

Although we say it regularly, it bears repeating: there is not one treatment plan that works for every addict or every alcoholic. Too often, well-intentioned members of 12-Step fellowships (including many treatment "professionals") discourage what they call "outside help". Rather, alcoholics and addicts are encouraged to simply "work it out in the rooms".

But then there is this statement from the NIDA: "In therapy, patients address issues of motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding nondrug-using activities, and improve problem-solving abilities."

At Sober Champion, we believe wholeheartedly in a robust, multi-dimensional approach to treating the disease of addiction.

The NIDA goes on to say that "...behavioral therapy also facilitates interpersonal relationships and the individual's ability to function in the family and community..."

Of course, the 12-Step recovery model seeks the same goals, often with great results. Our question is this: Why limit yourself?

The one place where the NIDA and the various 12-Step fellowships agree is that addiction is a chronic, progressive, and fatal illness. Simply stated, addiction cripples and kills. Not only addicts are affected; families, workplaces, even entire communities are adversely affected by addiction.

If you can get past the notion that addiction and alcoholism are moral failings, then you must agree that they are medical and psycholical conditions. Those with sufficient resources can avail themselves of a wide variety of effective treatments, and we encourage as wide a variety as possible.

Taking the first step and admitting there is a problem allows an addict to seek the help he needs. Counseling and other behavioral therapies have many decades of proven results as components of effective treatment. We encourage you to seek the best available treatment without delay.