The preponderance of research on people with substance use problems shows that the vast majority – a full 75% – end their substance use problems without ever receiving any sort of professional treatment, and without attending 12 step groups. This phenomenon (and that may be a misnomer since it implies that it’s rare) is known as Self-Change. Nevertheless we are constantly told that if you have a substance use problem then the only way to change it is through treatment and 12-step programs. There is much evidence that these programs may actually decrease the clients chances at success, and at the very least, what little success these programs claim may not be a function of the program at all, but only a function of the self-change the client was bound to go through whether they received “treatment” or not. Thus, for a true solution to substance use problems we shouldn’t look to treatment attendees, we should look at the most successful group – the self-changers – and follow their lead. What leads to their positive life changes? What are the beliefs and values that push them away from addiction? What do they do to change? When we answer these questions, we will understand how to solve a substance use problem.
Luckily, there are some dedicated researchers working on answering these questions. I will be compiling and analyzing that research on this page. In the meantime, if you want a program of help based on this priceless information, check my help page.
One of the clearest themes that has emerged from studies on self-change is that a cognitive appraisal/evaluation process is almost always a factor. What this means is that people consciously choose to change. This flies right in the face of those who would say that addiction is compulsive and that the sufferer is unable to choose to stop their own behavior. Follow the links below for discussions of research related to this principle:
Recent Comments