HEALTH psychotherapy as a treatment for alcohol addiction (16 marks)

Question 1

A01 points for paragraph 1

Answer 1

1) Psychotherapy involves personal counselling with a psychotherapist and is a form of talking therapy. It is believed that alcoholism is a manifestation of an unresolved problem which may have begun early in life. The addict may abuse alcohol as a way of dealing with negative emotions.
2) Psychotherapy offers techniques for dealing with the problems alcoholics experience that may make them want to drink. It aims to access the addict’s unconscious thoughts and focuses on the defence mechanisms used by many alcoholics such as denial.

Question 2

A03 positive point for paragraph 1

Answer 2

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE - SMITH (1982)
conducted a meta-analysis of 475 studies on the effectiveness of psychotherapy as a treatment for alcohol addiction and found that it was effective in enhancing psychological well-being. this supports the effectiveness of psychotherapy as an effective therapy for alcohol addicts.

HOWEVER, since data used in the meta-analysis was secondary data, there may be uncertainty about the validity of the original data collected meaning findings about the effectiveness of psychotherapy as a treatment for alcohol addiction are not clear.

Question 3

A03 negative point for paragraph 1

Answer 3

REFUTING EVIDENCE : FRAWLEY AND SMITH (1992)
found that 81% of a sample of alcohol addicts remained abstinent for at least six months following aversion therapy and 71% were still abstinent after 20 months. this challenges the effectiveness of psychotherapy as being the most effective treatment for alcohol addiction.

HOWEVER, since the success rate for aversion therapy was less than 100% there are still a significant number of alcohol addicts who relapsed and did not find aversion therapy successful for them.

Question 4

A01 points for paragraph 2

Answer 4

3) Psychotherapy is made up of sessions, usually less than 1 hour, where a therapist and an addict will be in a treatment room and discuss the issues at hand regarding the addict’s alcohol misuse. During therapy, discussions about dreams and fantasies often occur which are analysed with the addict.
4) Many alcoholics state that the action of talking is therapeutic and feel a sense of relief after the sessions. The therapist-patient relationship is very important in psychotherapy; addicts are expected to share their thoughts about their addiction to alcohol with their therapist, so having a secure and trusting relationship is necessary.

Question 5

A03 positive point for paragraph 2

Answer 5

CURATIVE
psychotherapy is thought to be effective because is focuses on the underlying causes of alcohol addiction such as personal and social issues, rather than simply removing the symptoms. this is more curative, rather than palliative leading to more long-term abstinence from alcohol showing that the therapy is effective.

Question 6

A03 negative point for paragraph 2

Answer 6

SIDE EFFECTS
psychotherapy on its own does not address the physical side effects experienced when withdrawing from alcohol and therefore the addict will still have physical symptoms such as headaches, shaking and nausea. these unpleasant withdrawal symptoms may lead the addict to drink alcohol again to try and remove their discomfort challenging the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

Question 7

A01 points for paragraph 3

Answer 7

5) Group psychotherapy is sometimes used when treating alcoholism where individuals share the same issues. In this method, several addicts are treated by a psychotherapist at the same time. This offers a unique opportunity for addicts to feel a sense of community and encourages empathy, altruism and interpersonal skill development which are often lacking in alcohol dependent people.
6) Sessions are often weekly and will continue until the issues are resolved which is often a prolonged period of time.

Question 8

A03 positive point for paragraph 3

Answer 8

ETHICAL
compared to aversion therapy which involves invasive methods such as deliberately inducing nausea, it is viewed as more ethical. the addict feels reassured that they will not have to endure invasive procedures meaning they are more likely to continue with the therapy, therefore increasing its effectiveness.

Question 9

A03 negative point for paragraph 3

Answer 9

ETHICAL
compared to aversion therapy, addicts undergoing psychotherapy have more control over their therapy and the issues they want to share with the psychotherapist surrounding their alcohol addiction. it gives the addict more power, and the psychotherapist works together with the addict but does not instruct them to change their behaviour meaning lower social control which increases the effectiveness of the therapy.

Question 10

A03 positive point for conclusion

Answer 10

SOCIAL CONTROL
compared to aversion therapy, addicts undergoing psychotherapy have more control over their therapy and the issues they want to share with the psychotherapists surrounding their alcohol addiction. it gives the addict more power, and the psychotherapist works together with the addict but does not instruct them to change their behaviour meaning lower social control which increases the effectiveness of the therapy.

Question 11

A03 negative point for conclusion

Answer 11

ACCESSIBILITY
psychotherapy may not be accessible for all alcoholics since there is limited availability on the NHS which may lead to addicts paying to go private. this excludes those who cannot financially afford this treatment making it a less effective treatment.