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Alcohol, drug, and other forms of dependency are among the major social problems facing our Nation today. The annual cost to society as a whole, in terms of medical bills, lost productivity, crime etc. is in the billions of dollars. Insofar as chemical dependencies are concerned, the best-known out-patient support program and, perhaps, the most successful, is the AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) program or some variation thereof. And yet, by some calculations, of the estimated 20 million alcohol dependent individuals in this country, only about 5% of them are in AA. One is left to ask what of the other 95%? Furthermore, among those who have been exposed to the AA system, there exists a significant degree of discomfort with regard to perceived "religious" and other "intolerant" overtones and undertones in the program. These expressions of discomfort have led to the creation of such groups as NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and RR (Rational Recovery) which serve as alternatives for those individuals whose level of discomfort with the AA approach precludes meaningful participation. Although there are no reliable statistics on the number of individuals participating in the NA and RR systems, it is reasonable to assume that their numbers are inferior to those of AA itself. Therefore, if we conservatively assume that there are only 20 million alcohol and drug dependent individuals in this country, and that NA and RR together attract another 5% of these, then clearly there remains an enormous reservoir represented by the remaining 90%. Research has consistently shown that, at least for alcohol dependents, recovery is more likely to occur on an out-patient basis than on an in-patient basis and that the cost savings for out-patient care is marginally (8 - 10%) less than for in-patient care. It would appear, therefore, that an alternative recovery program which could enhance the success of out-patient recovery while, at the same time, providing a supportive environment which is more in harmony with the religious or spiritual needs of the individual, would represent an important additional tool for health-care providers who specialize in these matters. The RSVP is designed to be such a tool. The RSVP program is an Alternative Recovery Program, which is based upon the concept of the two-way mind/body interaction known as METAPHYSIOLOGY, and is administered by Dr. Mark H. Thomas, M.D., a specialist in Addictive Behaviors. By exploiting the mind/body interface RSVP aims to bring the chemically and other types of dependent individuals back to their center by exploring and harnessing the subjects' sense of personal responsibility in the interest of their expressed desire to implement a change in life-style. Purpose:- The purpose of RSVP is to stabilize and validate the recovery of individuals who suffer from chemical and other dependencies by building new habits of thinking, new patterns of behavior, and a new vision of life, a new self-image. Research Project:- Just as certain personality traits seem to predispose individuals to certain types of physical illness, an attempt is being made to determine if certain personality traits tend to predispose individuals to chemical or other forms of dependency. Are there, for example, different triggers for motivating one personality type, as opposed to another, in taking the decision to move from the pre-contemplative phase of the recovery process to the contemplative phase; from the contemplative to the preparatory; and from the preparatory phase to the action phase? What would it take to motivate one type into maintenance and final recovery compared to another? What type of personality does well with the AA program as opposed to the RR program? Is there a personality type which prefers neither? These are but some of the obvious questions to which clear-cut answers must be sought. In an attempt to individualize the alternative recovery program represented by RSVP, research is being conducted to determine whether or not there are features common to: (i) the manner by which "dependents" perceive and process information; (ii) the expectations they have of themselves and those in the world around them; or (iii) the types of childhood experiences which may account for the sense of emptiness which so many chemically dependent individuals reportedly experience. Methods:-
A new set of behaviors based upon a new way of perceiving oneself, a new outlook on life, and a more disciplined life-style. Maintenance:- The recovering chemically or other dependent individual often lives under the constant threat of relapse. The state of anxiety thus generated by this invisible but tangible threat too often serves as a self-fulfilling prophesy, with the result that when relapse does occur the subject's level of guilt and sense of powerlessness is exacerbated. In cases where abstinence is maintained for prolonged periods of time, the subject invests such an enormous amount of energy in the act of "avoiding" that one is tempted to ask whether or not such an individual is truly recovered. In this Alternative Recovery Program, maintenance focuses on empowering the individual to make only those decisions and to create only those conditions in his or her life which are compatible with, and supportive of his or her uniqueness. Attendance and participation in compatible "group meetings" is most heartily encouraged but not with a view of reinforcing a particular set of values, but more as a support for the individual, regardless of his or her choice of values. Finally, for those who feel the need for a regular system of study in order to stabilize and validate their recovery, a graded system of Workbooks are provided. For further information send an e-mail message to: RSVP@Templar-Research-Inst.Org |
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