Achievement and Addiction: A Guide to the Treatment of Professionals

Rating:
Summary: The book describes a dated and narrow treatment concept.
Review: Achievement and Addictions- A Guide to the Treatment of Professionals by Edgar P. Nace, M.D.: The title of the book states that this is "a guide to the treatment;" therefore, one would expect to be guided through the appropriate treatment options for different individuals. Much of the book is about treatment options involving twelve step programs and, therefore, describes the same basic treatment philosophy for every patient. This approach raises serious questions about the impartial evaluation of patients, about offering a truly informed consent leading to a choice of treatment options, and about moral, if not legal, questions on the coercion of individuals to attend spiritual meetings. This book will likely be of interest only to those who are already convinced that the only solution to dealing with substance abuse problems is the approach centered around AA and the twelve step program( AA/tsp).

This book lacks scientific data to support the efficacy of the treatment type recommended. It describes the treatment associated with the AA/tsp, but it ignores trying to match patients with other treatment philosophies. Nace has missed an opportunity to update the medical community on the treatment of professionals as individuals in light of much recent research on treatment options. Professionals who want to help themselves with their alcohol excesses, or colleagues who would like to help other colleagues, might want to read about different treatment models from authors who provide data about their treatment efficacy, and who promote self-matching, patient rights, real treatment choices, and perhaps independence from a life of attending meetings.

Rating:
Summary: Achievement and Addiction: A Guide to the Treatment of Prof
Review: Unfortunately, the book is a shallow and stale review. Nace ignores the political, financial and neuro-psychiatric motivations of those mental health professionals who claim to be experts in the field. Nace makes no mention of the very lucrative relationships these psychiatrists have with area hospitals and medical societies. He makes no mention of the need to carefully monitor overseeing psychiatrists for both past and ongoing psychological difficulties and personal substance abuse problems. Nace makes no mention of the need to have mentally healthy, honest, and respected clinicians on local and state health and rehabilitation committees. He makes no mention of the reckless destruction of individuals' reputations and careers by professionals who are even more impaired themselves. Nace apparently has no thoughts about how to improve the care or how to improve the system in place. Nace's utter failure to grasp the complexities of the subject is still another example of why the system doesn't work. Unfortunately, professionals continue to get the worst care.