What happens if someone gets a DWI in North Carolina?

 DWI Offenses

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 What is a drunk driving class and why are some of them called groups?

 A True Story... 

 Family and Couples Counseling

 How Alcohol and Drug Addiction Affects Family Members

 A Few Words About Treatment and Recovery

Twelve-Step Facilitation is most similar to the Minnesota Model. This model was first described by David Anderson and implemented in AA-oriented programs such as Hazeldon Foundation, the Betty Ford Clinic, the Sierra Tucson Center , and others (NIDA, 2000). The primary goal is abstinence, which is achieved by the client changing his or her beliefs about his or her relationship to others and to self by attending meetings, by self-reflection, and by learning new coping skills, (NIDA, 2000, p. 103). Improved quality of life is another goal that is achieved by applying the principles of the 12-steps (p.103). About 80-90% of the work with clients is done in groups with this model. The ultimate goal is personality change or change in basic thinking, feeling, and acting in the world. Within this model, this change is referred to as a spiritual experience (p.103).

The Minnesota Model uses a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. A team of professionals such as counselors, nurses, doctors, psychiatrists, and social workers plan and conduct the treatment program with the client. Each member of the team meets with the client individually. The team then discusses the findings, client needs, progress, and discharge plan during team meetings. This can be done on either an inpatient or outpatient basis. Addiction is seen as a primary diagnosis and not the symptom of some other factor. It is also seen as progressive because symptoms continue to worsen as the addict continues to use his or her drug of choice (NIDA, 2000).

The 12-step Programs believe the concept of a higher power is a fundamental necessity for recovery. The higher power can be viewed as anyone or anything who is viewed as transcendent: a felt connection to others, to nature, or to the metaphysical (Bristow-Braitman, 1995, p.415). This is viewed as necessary because humans are inherently flawed and unable to achieve a life changing experience without some energy or substance beyond themselves (p.415) .A spiritual awakening is defined as the ability to think, feel, or behave differently and in a way that was not possible previously when the individual was attempting to recover without assistance (p.415).

Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Substance Abuse

CBT is based on a combination of Behavioral Theory and Cognitive Theory. SAMHSA (1999, p. 51) reports, "Both cognitive and behavioral theories have led to interventions that have been proven effective in treating substance abuse." Behavioral therapies are based on theories of classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning. Classical conditioning goes back to Pavlov's famous experiments with dogs. It is explained by paring of unconditioned stimuli with conditioned stimuli until the organism learns to respond to the conditioned stimuli" (Black & Bruce, 1989, p. 1153). Operant conditioning holds that behavior is a function of its consequences and can be altered by the use of reinforcement and punishment (p. 1153). Modeling is the "most prominent behavioral treatment founded on social learning theory" which emphasizes that subjects may learn a behavioral repertoire through observation of others (p. 1153).

Cognitive theory assumes that most psychological problems derive from a faulty thinking process (SAMHSA, 1999, p. 61). Beck, Shaw, Rush & Emery (1979, p. 8) list several assumptions on which cognitive theory is based:

Perception and experiencing in general are active processes, which involve both inspective and introspective data. The patient's cognitions represent a synthesis of internal and external stimuli. How a person appraises a situation is generally evident in his cognitions. These cognitions constitute the person's ‘stream of consciousness' or phenomenal field, which reflects a person's configuration of himself, his world, and his past and future. Alterations in the content of the person's underlying cognitive structures affect his or her affective state and behavioral pattern.