New At-Home Recovery Option Offers Alternative to Rehab's Revolving Door

Emerging research supports new strategies in the battle against alcoholism. New therapies include anti-craving medication, nutritional supplementation, hypnotherapy and online support.

Anchorage, AK (PRWEB) July 3, 2007 -- Money doesn't always buy happiness, nor does it guarantee a better chance of achieving sobriety. The industry success rate for in-patient alcohol treatment is a sobering 35-40%. That may be bad news for Britney Spears, David Hasselhoff and other megastars who are known to spend $48,000 or more at posh recovery centers. Residents of such beachside retreats enjoy gourmet meals, personal trainers and 500-thread-count sheets.

Is it effective? Maybe, maybe not.

It turns out the high profile patients may actually be better off with a lower cost solution. Drinkers worldwide are now benefiting from emerging research that shows a direct link between alcohol craving and brain activity at a molecular level. Addiction specialists agree that alcohol's rewarding effects can be reduced or eliminated with a new generation of medications, especially when they are used in conjunction with proper nutritional supplementation and lifestyle changes. Best of all, this therapy can be administered right at home.

"I didn't want to go to an inpatient facility," says Robert Jewell, a working mother and author of My Way Out ™ (http://www.mywayout.org), a book describing her journey out of alcohol addiction. "And I didn't care to attend 12-step meetings, either. I know they are helpful to many people, but it didn't feel right to me."

No therapy felt right to Jewell, who for twenty years was unable to curb her desire to drink. She considered herself a highly functional problem drinker, able to manage a family and executive career, but powerless to control her cravings. Finally, after extensive research and self experimentation, she developed a customized 12-week program she says turned her life around. After some urging she began working with physicians, nutritionists and other specialists to refine the plan and make it available to others. It blends multiple therapies utilizing anti-craving medication like Topamax, Campral or naltrexone, along with specific dietary supplements known to curb the desire to drink. Self administered hypnotherapy is recommended, as is moderate exercise. Free support and mentoring is available at Jewell's online website (http://www.mywayout.org/community).

"Support is critical," she says, "and we provide it in a free, anonymous and secure setting. People really seem to appreciate that."

Dr. Linda Garcia, MD, an internist and addiction specialist, serves as the program's Medical Director. "Clinically, this approach is very similar to how we treat patients with diabetes or hypertension," says Garcia. "We provide medication, dietary changes, counseling and strategies for behavior modification. We eliminate the stigma and shame associated with this condition and focus instead on treatment, which is simple and straightforward."

Interest in My Way Out ™ is growing rapidly, which may explain the 60,000 or so visits to Jewell's website each week.

"It fills a tremendous need," she says. "For every hard core alcoholic there are four problem drinkers. But they usually don't feel they fit the stereotype of a traditional alcoholic, so they are reluctant to seek treatment."

Jewell says her innovative therapy allows patients to select between complete abstinence and moderated drinking, an approach considered controversial by some in the recovery movement.

"We have many controlled drinkers in our program," says Jewell. "Using the tools now available to them, they are able to reduce their alcohol consumption to much safer levels. For others, total abstinence is the only prudent option. But the bottom line is this: people can finally address the fundamental reasons they drink excessively and they can turn it around. They can begin to understand the physiological and emotional factors that lead to their addictive behavior. They then move on to positive, exciting change. And best of all, they can do it right at home--there's no need to leave their critical support system. We are very proud of that and proud to know that this program has changed many lives."

For more information visit www.mywayout.org.

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