Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-5r2nc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-02-10T21:18:25.348Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

17 - Complementary and alternative medicine for alcohol misuse

from Part III - Specific treatments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2010

By
Elizabeth A. R. Robinson ,
Stephen Strobbe  and
Kirk J. Brower
Edited by
Peter Tyrer  and
Kenneth R. Silk
Elizabeth A. R. Robinson
Affiliation:
University of Michigan Addiction Research Center Rachel Upjohn Building Ann Arbor, MI USA
Stephen Strobbe
Affiliation:
University of Michigan Addiction Research Center Rachel Upjohn Building Ann Arbor, MI USA
Kirk J. Brower
Affiliation:
University of Michigan Addiction Research Center Rachel Upjohn Building Ann Arbor, MI USA
Peter Tyrer
Affiliation:
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
Kenneth R. Silk
Affiliation:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Get access

Summary

Editor's note

As described in Part II of this text, complementary and alternative medicines and therapies are widespread. They have certainly been applied to the treatment of conditions related to alcohol misuse. While they may be popular in the treatment of these disorders, there is little hard evidence for their effectiveness. Part of the lack of evidence has to do with the methodological issues related to treatments such as acupuncture, biofeedback, and meditation. For example, it is difficult to create true ‘blind’ or ‘placebo’ conditions, given the nature of these interventions. There may be, however, some effectiveness for these treatments, particularly in helping the individual assume greater control over their behavior and teach the individual that they may be able to alter difficult affective and psychological states by learning strategies for better managing one's body and lifestyle.

Introduction

This chapter reviews the existing evidence of the effectiveness of a range of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment modalities for alcoholism that have been investigated, focusing in particular on acupuncture, biofeedback, and meditation. To date, rigorous empirical evidence of their effectiveness in treating alcohol problems is lacking. While many CAM approaches are used and have been advocated, support for their use has primarily been case studies, anecdotes, or conceptual arguments.

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS; Barnes et al., 2004) of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) classifies CAM modalities into four basic types: (a) alternative medical systems, (b) mind–body therapies, (c) biologically-based therapies, and (d) manipulative body-based therapies.

Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Textbook of Effective Treatments in Psychiatry , pp. 340 - 350
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adinoff, B., Iranmanesh, A., Feldhuis, J. & Fisher, L. (1998). Disturbances of the stress response: the role of the HPA Axis during alcohol withdrawal and abstinence. Alcohol, Health and Research World, 22 (1), 67–72.Google Scholar
Alexander, C. N., Robinson, P. & Rainforth, M. (1994). Treating and preventing alcohol, nicotine, and drug abuse through Transcendental Meditation: a review and statistical meta-analysis. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 11 (1/2), 13–87.Google Scholar
Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: a conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10 (2), 125–43.Google Scholar
Barnes, P. M., Powell-Griner, E., McFann, K. & Nahin, R. L. (2004). Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults: United States, 2002. Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics, No. 343, May 27. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept. Health & Human Services.
Benson, H. (1975). The Relaxation Response. New York: William Morrow & Co.
Boucher, T. A., Kiresuk, T. J. & Trachtenberg, A. I. (2003). Complementary and alternative therapies. In Principles of Addiction Medicine, ed. Graham, A. W., Schultz, T. K., Mayo-Smith, M. F., Ries, R. K. & Wilford, R. B., 3rd edn. pp. 509–32. Chevy Chase, MD: American Society of Addiction Medicine, Inc.
Bowen, S., Witkiewitz, K., Dillworth, T. M.et al. (2006). Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20 (3), 343–7.Google Scholar
Brady, K. T. & Sonne, S. C. (1999). The role of stress in alcohol use, alcoholism treatment, and relapse. Alcohol Research and Health, 23 (4), 263–71.Google Scholar
Braza, J. (1997). Moment by Moment: The Art and Practice of Mindfulness. Boston, MA: Charles E. Tuttle, Co.
Brown, S. A., Vik, P. W., Patterson, T. L., Grant, I. & Schuckit, M. A. (1995). Stress, vulnerability and adult alcohol relapse. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 56, 538–45.Google Scholar
Bullock, M. L., Umen, A. J., Culliton, P. D. & Olander, R. T. (1987). Acupuncture treatment of alcoholic recidivism: a pilot study. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 11(3), 292–5.Google Scholar
Bullock, M. L., Kiresuk, T. J., Sherman, R. E.et al. (2002). A large randomized placebo controlled study of auricular acupuncture for alcohol dependence. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 22, 71–7.Google Scholar
Carrington, P. (1978). Freedom in Meditation. New York: Crown.
Carlson, L. E., Speca, M., Patel, K. D. & Goodey, E. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress and levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and melatonin in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 29, 448–74.Google Scholar
Denney, M. R. & Baugh, J. L. (1992). Symptom reduction and sobriety in the male alcoholic. International Journal of Addictions, 27(11), 1293–300.Google Scholar
Denney, M. R., Baugh, J. L. & Hardt, H. D. (1991). Sobriety outcome after alcoholism treatment with biofeedback participation: a pilot inpatient study. International Journal of Addictions, 26(3), 335–41.Google Scholar
Fink, M., Gutenbrunner, C., Rollnik, J. & Karst, M. (2001). Credibility of a newly designed placebo needle for clinical trials in acupuncture research. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd, 8(6), 368–72.Google Scholar
Goldstein, J. & Kornfield, J. (1987). Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation. Boston, MA: Shambhala
Graap, K. & Freides, D. (1998). Regarding the database for the Peniston alpha-theta EEG biofeedback protocol. Applied Psychophysiological Biofeedback, 23(4), 265–72; 273–5.Google Scholar
Grossman, P., Niemann, L., Schmidt, S. & Walach, H. (2004). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits: a meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57, 35–43.Google Scholar
Gunaratana, H. (1991). Mindfulness in Plain English. Boston, MA: Wisdom Publications.
Han, J. S., Trachtenberg, A. I. & Lowinson, J. H. (2004). Acupuncture. In Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook, ed. Lowinson, J. H., Ruiz, P., Millman, R. B. & Langrod, J. G., 4th edn. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Harte, J. L., Eifert, G. H. & Smith, R. (1995). The effect of running and meditation on beta-endorphin, corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol in plasma, and on mood. Biological Psychiatry, 40, 251–65.Google Scholar
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change. New York: Guilford Press.
Jacobson, E. (1938). Progressive Relaxation. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Jacobson, E. (1987). Progressive relaxation. American Journal of Psychology, 100 (3–4), 522–37.Google Scholar
Jadad, A. R., Moore, R. A., Carroll, D.et al. (1996). Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials: Is blinding necessary?Clinical Controlled Trials, 17(1), 1–12.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. New York: Delacorte.
Kabat-Zinn, J., Lipworth, L. & Burney, R. (1985). The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for the self-regulation of chronic pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 8, 163–90.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J., Lipworth, L., Burney, R. & Sellers, W. (1987). Four-year follow-up of a meditation-based program for the self-regulation of chronic pain: treatment outcomes and compliance. Clinical Journal of Pain, 2, 159–73.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J., Massion, M. D., Kristeller, J.et al. (1992). Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 936–43.Google Scholar
Kabat-Zinn, J., Wheeler, E., Light, T.et al. (1998). Influence of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention on rates of skin clearing in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis undergoing phototherapy (UVB) and photochemotherapy (PUVA). Psychosomatic Medicine, 50, 625–32.Google Scholar
Kazanjian, A. & Rothon, D. A. (2002). Acupuncture in the Management of Alcohol and Drug Dependence. Vancouver, BC: British Columbia Office of Health Technology Assessment, University of British Columbia.
Kreek, M. J. & Koob, G. F. (1998). Drug dependence: stress and dysregulation of brain reward pathways. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 51, 23–47.Google Scholar
Kristeller, J. L. & Hallett, C. B. (1999). An exploratory study of a meditation-based intervention for binge eating disorder. Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 357–63.Google Scholar
Lamon, B. C. & Alonzo, A. (1997). Stress among males recovering from substance abuse. Addictive Behaviors, 22 (2), 195–205.Google Scholar
Linehan, M. M. (1993a). Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Linehan, M. M. (1993b). Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Manheimer, E., Anderson, B. J. & Stein, M. D. (2003). Use and assessment of complementary and alternative therapies by intravenous drug users. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 29 (2), 401–13.Google Scholar
Marcus, M. T., Fine, M., Moeller, G.et al. (2003). Change in stress levels following mindfulness-based stress reduction in a therapeutic community. Addictive Disorders and their Treatment, 2(3), 63–68.Google Scholar
Marlatt, G. A. & Donovan, D. M. (2005). Relapse Prevention: Maintenance Strategies in the Treatment of Addictive Behaviors, 2nd edn. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Marlatt, G. A. & Gordon, J. R. (1985). Relapse Prevention: Maintenance Strategies in the Treatment of Addictive Behaviors. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Marlatt, G. A., Pagano, R., Rose, D. & Marques, J. (1984). Effect of meditation and relaxation training upon alcohol use in male social drinkers. In Meditation: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives, ed. Shapiro, D. & Walsh, R., pp. 105–20. New York: Aldine.
Marlatt, G. A., Witkiewitz, K., Dillworth, T. M. et al. (2004). Vipassana meditation as a treatment for alcohol and drug use disorders. In Mindfulness and Acceptance: Expanding the Cognitive Behavioral Tradition, ed. Hayes, S. C., Follette, V. M. & Linehan, M. M.. New York: Guilford Press.
Murphy, T. J., Pagano, R. R. & Marlatt, G. A. (1986). Lifestyle modification with heavy alcohol drinkers: Effects of aerobic exercise and meditation. Addictive Behaviors, 11, 175–86.Google Scholar
National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) (1995). NADA FAQs: How did NADA originate? Retrieved May 30, 2005 from http://www.acudetox.com/index.htm.
Parks, G. A., Marlatt, G. A., Bowen, S. W.et al. (2003). The University of Washington vipassana meditation research project at the North Rehabilitation Facility. American Jails, 17, 13–17.Google Scholar
Peniston, E. G. & Kulkosky, P. J. (1989). Alpha-theta brainwave training and beta-endorphin levels in alcoholics. Alcoholism; Clinical and Experimental Research, 13(2), 271–9.Google Scholar
Pomeranz, B. (1989). Acupuncture research related to pain, drug addiction and nerve regeneration. In Scientific Bases of Acupuncture, ed. Pomeranz, B., Stux, G., pp. 35–52. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag.
Rampes, H., Pereira, S., Mortimer, A., Manoharan, S. & Knowles, M. (1997). Does electroacupuncture reduce craving for alcohol? A randomized controlled study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 5, 19–26.Google Scholar
Reibel, D. K., Greeson, J. M., Brainard, G. C. & Rosenzweig, S. (2001). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health-related quality of life in a heterogeneous patient population. General Hospital Psychiatry, 23, 183–92.Google Scholar
Sanders, L. M., Trinh, C., Sherman, B. R. & Banks, S. M. (1998). Assessment of client satisfaction in a peer counseling substance abuse treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women. Evaluation and Program Planning, 21(3), 287–96.Google Scholar
Sapir-Weise, R., Berglund, M., Frank, A. & Kristenson, H. (1999). Acupuncture in alcoholism treatment: a randomized out-patient study. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 34(4), 629–35.Google Scholar
Saxby, E. & Peniston, E. G. (1995). Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: an effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(5), 685–93.Google Scholar
Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G. & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse. New York: Guilford Press.
Scott, S. & Scott, W. N. (1997). A biochemical hypothesis for the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of substance abuse: acupuncture and the reward cascade. American Journal of Acupuncture, 25(1), 33–8.Google Scholar
Sharp, C., Hurford, D. P., Allison, J., Sparks, R. & Cameron, B. P. (1997). Facilitation of internal locus of control in adolescent alcoholics through a brief biofeedback-assisted autogenic relaxation training procedure. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 14(1), 55–60.Google Scholar
Smith, M. O. (1999). Acupuncture For Addiction Treatment. Vancouver, WA: J. & M. Reports.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office of Applied Studies (2004). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS): 2003. Data on substance abuse treatment facilities, DASIS Series: S-24, DHHS Publication no. (SMA) 043966. Rockville, MD: Author.
Tarbox, A. R. (1983a). Alcoholism, biofeedback and internal scanning. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 44 (2), 246–61.Google Scholar
Tarbox, A. R. (1983b). Neuromuscular learning in middle-stage male alcoholics. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 7(1), 38–41.Google Scholar
Taub, E., Steiner, S. S., Weingarten, E & Walton, K. G. (1994). Effectiveness of broad spectrum approaches to relapse prevention in severe alcoholism: a long-term, randomized, controlled trial of Transcendental Meditation, EMG biofeedback and electronic neurotherapy. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 11(1/2), 187–220.Google Scholar
Teasdale, J. D. (1999). Metacognition, mindfulness, and the modification of mood disorders. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 6, 146–55.Google Scholar
Teasdale, J. D., Segal, Z. V. & Williams, M. G. (1995). How does cognitive therapy prevent depressive relapse and why should attentional control (mindfulness training) help?Behavior Research and Therapy, 33, 25–39.Google Scholar
Teasdale, J. D., Williams, J. M., Soulsby, J. M., Segal, Z. V., Ridgeway, V. A. & Lau, M. A. (2000). Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 615–23.Google Scholar
Toteva, S. & Milanov, I. (1996). The use of acupuncture for treatment of alcohol dependence and withdrawal syndrome: a controlled study. American Journal of Acupuncture, 24(1), 19–26.Google Scholar
Trumpler, F., Oez, S., Stahli, P., Brenner, H. D. & Juni, P. (2003). Acupuncture for alcohol withdrawal: a randomized, controlled trial. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 38, 369–75.Google Scholar
Ulett, G. A. (1989). Studies supporting the concept of physiological acupuncture. In Scientific Bases of Acupuncture, ed. Pomeranz, B. & Stux, G., pp. 177–96. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag.
Walker, S. R., Tonigan, J. S., Miller, W. R., Comer, S. & Kahlich, L. (1997). Intercessory prayer in the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence: a pilot investigation. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, 3(6), 79–86.Google Scholar
Walsh, R. & Shapiro, S. L. (2006). The meeting of meditative disciplines and Western psychology: a mutually enriching dialogue. American Psychologist, 61(3), 227–39.Google Scholar
Watson, C. G., Herder, J. & Passini, F. T. (1978). Alpha biofeedback therapy in alcoholics: an 18-month follow-up. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 34(3), 765–9.Google Scholar
Weingarten, E., Hartman, L. & Holcomb, Z. (1980). Frontalis EMG of dropouts from inpatient treatment for alcoholism. International Journal of the Addictions, 15(7), 1113–17.Google Scholar
Wen, H. L. & Cheung, S. Y. C. (1973). Treatment of drug addiction by acupuncture and electrical stimulation. Asian Journal of Medicine, 9, 138–41.Google Scholar
Wen, H. L. & Teo, S. W. (1975). Experience in the treatment of drug addiction by electro-acupuncture. Modern Medicine of Asia, 11(6), 23–7.Google Scholar
Worner, T. M., Zeller, B., Schwarz, H., Zwas, F. & Lyon, D. (1992). Acupuncture fails to improve treatment outcome in alcoholics. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 30, 169–73.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×