Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous, 12-Step Programs Detailed in First-Ever Comprehensive Resource Guide; Recovery Rates Expected To Increase

"AA-Not the Only Way" responds to growing demand from recovery experts, problem drinkers and drug addicts for global resource directory of alternative, evidence-based treatments. Addiction experts are most concerned that AA-style treatment works for only 5% of its participants, as revealed by AA's own internal secret member surveys as well as independent U.S. government surveys. Therefore, it is now imperative to spread the word about other options, ones that allow for the integration of new knowledge and research findings.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 2, 2005 -- Fueled by the 95 percent failure rate acknowledged by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a number of recovery and treatment alternatives to 12-step recovery programs are rapidly emerging worldwide -- building strong track records and gaining credibility within the medical community.

No longer content to accept 12-step programs’ insistence that they are the only option for those with alcohol or drug problems -- a dogma previously accepted by much of the recovery industry -- leading addiction experts have developed a variety of new, evidence based treatment modalities that defy the ‘one-size-fits-all,’ 12-step mentality.

Armed with these new 21st century treatment options, forward-thinking doctors and addiction counselors who recognize the complex, highly individual nature of addiction are seeing more of their clients achieve sustainable recovery through a variety of programs.

A spate of recent books discuss treatment alternatives and relate accounts of drinkers or addicts condemned for having ‘failed’ 12-step programs, but who have since gone on to recover fully through alternative treatment methods. While these books make a powerful case for alternative treatment methods, both scientific and anecdotal, the recovery industry has lacked a comprehensive global resource guide that tells counselors and sufferers alike what their options are and where to find them -- until now.

Melanie Solomon’s “AA-Not the Only Way; Your One-Stop Resource Guide to 12-Step Alternatives” explains eleven primary alternative drug and alcohol problem treatment modalities. Available at www.aanottheonlyway.com, it provides a directory of 147 counselors, specialists, clinics and programs throughout the United States and overseas.

After ten years of riding the frightening recovery merry-go-round and enduring multiple rehabs, halfway houses, 12-step meetings, relapses and emergency room visits, Ms. Solomon realized there had to be another way. Despite her decade of recovery efforts via AA and its cousins Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous, none of the rehabs, halfway houses, therapists or psychiatrists ever discussed other options.

“My goal is to get this information out not only to hospitals, institutions and addiction professionals, but into the curriculum of the related university grad schools,” Ms. Solomon explained. “The next generation of therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, and doctors needs to know all the options available to their future drug and alcohol clients if recovery rates are to be consistently raised above AA’s five percent rate.”

Leading U.S. addiction expert Dr. Marc Kern, who wrote the foreword to “AA-Not the Only Way” states, “I have long awaited this directory of addiction treatment alternatives. It represents what I believe to be the future of the field. It is a pioneering effort to organize this unique body of knowledge. A directory of this type was never available before.”

Dr. Frederick Rotgers, another leading addiction expert wrote in the preface, “The problem is finding treatment providers who provide these alternative, evidence-based approaches. Melanie Solomon has taken a wonderful step toward making that process, of identifying alternatives to traditional treatments, easier. By both providing her own story as a justification for this book, and by listing an ever growing list of providers who use up-to-date, evidence-based approaches in their work helping people with alcohol and drug problems, Ms. Solomon has done a great public service.”

“AA-Not the Only Way” by Melanie Solomon is priced at $12.95 for the soft-cover book, or $9.95 for the e-book, which may be downloaded instantly. Special bulk pricing is also offered. Both are available for purchase online at www.aanottheonlyway.com.

Contact: Melanie Solomon
310.821.2012
services@aanottheonlyway.com

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