Marco approached Nurse Trisha asking for advice on how to deal with his alcohol addiction. Nurse Trisha should tell client that only effective treatment for alcoholism is:

Correct Answer: C. Total abstinence

Total abstinence is the only effective treatment for alcoholism. Offering counseling on moderation may help convince some problem drinkers to seek help before they suffer painful consequences. Research into moderate or “controlled” drinking has shown that this strategy can be successful for patients who have not yet developed a pervasive pattern of alcohol abuse, or who have experienced few negative consequences from drinking. It also helps to be young, female, employed, in a stable social situation, and confident about moderating intake. The goal is to help patients set goals and drinking limits before they cross the line into dependence.

• Option A: Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health providers. During psychotherapy, the client learns about their condition and their moods, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps the client learn how to take control of their life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills. There are many types of psychotherapy, each with its own approach. The type of psychotherapy that’s right for each client depends on their individual situation. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, counseling, psychosocial therapy or, simply, therapy.
• Option B: Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
• Option D: Aversion therapy is a type of behavioral therapy that involves repeated pairing of unwanted behavior with discomfort. For example, a person undergoing aversion therapy to stop smoking might receive an electrical shock every time they view an image of a cigarette. The goal of the conditioning process is to make the individual associate the stimulus with unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations.