Johanna Vicklund and Katrin Deeg 

• “What is the role of interpersonal relationships in the transition out of alcohol addiction?”

• Hypothesis: For a transition to be successful, interpersonal relationships that support the change are necessary.

• Addiction

• Alcoholism - "a chronic illness marked by consumption of alcohol to the extent that it interferes with physical or mental health and/or social, family, and occupational responsibilities”

• Functional alcoholic• Sober Alcoholic

 

• Alcohol becomes someone's support network • Alcohol "fills the hole in my chest" • "The brown bottle was my higher power"

o ex-alcholic (or a "sober alcoholic") • Current social networks enable addiction

 • To change, you must change your systems of

support   

• When one cannot control his/her drinking or behavior while drinking

• When drinking interferes with forming and sustaining relationships 

• “When party became a verb, not a noun.”• When mental and physical problems arise

 

• Help from others; methods of counseling,      treatment, rehabilitation

o Professional Therapyo Motivational Interviewingo Interventionso AAo Community Reinforcement Approach

• Go through processes of “self-recovery”

• Long-term support is needed 

• Direct:             - rational emotive therapy • Non-direct:

            - Person centered            - Motivational interviewing

"Pre-Intervention" 0:15-1:45http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6h4RsFS3kA&feature=PlayList&p=A237381B9AFBFFAB&index=3

 • Venue for expression of love and concern

Identifying enablers • Professional help• A step in changing systems

 • Fellowship through a common problem• Relationship with a power greater than oneself• Gives guidance, but not the answers to beating

addiction

• 5 Stages for Eliciting Change        

             precontemplation            contemplation            preparation            action            maintenance

 

• Community Reinforcement Approach• Incentives for sobriety • New social networks• Skills for positive communication between

partners  

             Changing systems

• Working in a rehabilitation center

• Counseling addictive behavior

• Sponsors for recovering alcoholics

• Homeless addict outreach•