The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs are as old as mankind itself. And we know that where we find alcohol and drugs, we will find those who become dependent. This month, just for interest, we take a look at the history of addiction treatment. Historians believe that alcohol was first created as far back as the Neolithic period - around 10,000 B.C. With the development of agriculture around 8,000 B.C., alcohol became a staple of everyday life for ancient societies in China, Greece, Babylon, and throughout the Middle East. Methods used to deal with those who became addicted were rather harsh. The Egyptians used flogging, while the Turk "cured" drunkenness by pouring molten lead down the throat of the inebriate. The Greeks believed that use of amethyst stones could ward off drunkenness and so they made sure to wear them when drinking and attach them to their wine goblets. In the early modern era of the 16th to 19th centuries, the major churches of the world believed alcohol was a gift from God to be used to enhance life and health. Ironically, during this same period drunkenness was considered a sin. Those individuals who could not drink in moderation were urged to abstain. In the early 1600's drunkenness from beer and wine among all classes became so widespread the British Parliament passed "The Act to Repress the Odious and Loathsome Sin of Drunkenness." Early attempts at curing alcoholism were often similar to those of curing mental disorders with people being locked away. Friends and family of a drunkard would put worms and vermin into the alcoholic drink hoping he or she would eventually become disgusted and quit. However, people did not take substance abuse seriously until the late 1800s to early 19th century. While drunkenness was an accepted part of life in the 18th century, the 19th century would bring a change in attitudes as a result of increasing industrialization and the need for a reliable and punctual work force. Law enforcement did not hold people accountable until after automobiles came along. During this time, some bizarre forms of addiction treatment were practiced. Opium was promoted as a cure for alcoholism in the late 1800's. The "Keeley Cure" was wildly popular in the late 1890s and early 1900s. With its well-known slogan, "Drunkenness is a disease and I can cure it," the Keeley Institute gave people injections of gold chloride to remove the addictive craving and then followed up with enemas and laxatives to eliminate the accumulated poisons. The 19th century also saw the worldwide temperance movement, a social movement against the use of alcohol, grow in size and stature. People involved in the movement emphasized the evils of alcohol, made its use and abuse into a moral issue, and pressured governments to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol. But, alcohol was not the only problem. In the 19th century the active ingredients in drugs such as morphine, laudanum, and cocaine were discovered and used freely, completely unregulated and prescribed by physicians for a wide variety of ailments. Opium and cannabis had been used for centuries for medicinal and recreational purposes. So while not as widespread as alcoholism, addiction to drugs was nevertheless a growing problem. The 20th century continued to see some bizarre treatments, including the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), also known as electroshock therapy. It was used for treating mental illness, including severe alcoholism, starting in the 1930's. It involves passing an electrical current through the brain to induce a controlled seizure. Fortunately, the 20th century also saw great strides in the successful treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction. Perhaps the biggest step was taken in 1935 when Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded. AA is built on principles both from Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and teachings from the Oxford Group, a Christian Evangelical group. The basic premise is that one alcoholic (or addict) can help another alcoholic. Today, AA exists in most countries, with meetings in just about every city in the world. It's interesting to note that the first evidence of individuals turning their own negative experiences with alcohol into a social movement of mutual support occurred with Native American tribes reportedly as early as 1772. (Slaying the Dragon, William White) The addiction treatment model we are all familiar with, known as the Minnesota Model, or abstinence model, was developed in 1951 and was quickly adopted by the HazeldenFoundation and other treatment centers. This novel approach incorporated the principles of AA and its 12 Steps, medicine, psychiatry and clinical counselling along with active family involvement. It continues to be the primary protocol for residential and outpatient treatment programs throughout North America and in many parts of the world. Despite the success of the abstinence model, researchers continue to look for a magic pill that will cure drug dependence. In the 1950s a group of researchers in Saskatchewan began treating alcoholics with LSD claiming some success with a single dose followed by a debriefing session after the LSD trip ended. They believed that a spiritual experience induced by the drug would lead to recovery. In the early 1960's, it was thought that alcoholics drank over underlying emotional problems and tranquilizer deficiency and so prescriptions for Librium and Valium were handed out. Today there are a few approved drugs that may help reduce cravings and help those who have already stopped drinking and are trying to maintain alcohol abstinence. While drugs such as Antabuse and Campral may be a deterrent, inducing flushing, nausea, vomiting, and headaches when alcohol is consumed, they won't cure alcoholism, nor remove the compulsion to drink. There's no doubt humanity has a long and painful legacy of addiction. Fortunately we now know it is a highly treatable disease and full recovery is possible. The most effective approach is still an abstinence-based, multi-disciplinary residential treatment program. | 
Each month Recovery Connection profiles a different "principle" that helps us heal and develop our inner spirit and achieve "full" recovery. Recovery is an ongoing journey that involves working on our spiritual and personal growth on a daily basis. To get the most value working with these principles, reflect on the monthly principle in meditation or by journaling about how in recovery you relate to the concepts that are described. Write the affirmation down and repeat it silently to yourself frequently throughout the day(s) in order to change old thinking.