Clinician's Guide to the 12 Step Principles [Paperback]

Marvin D. Seppala (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0071347186 | ISBN-13: 978-0071347181 | Edition: 1

A detailed guide to the Twelve-Step method of addressing alcoholism and addiction. Prepares clinicians to use their skills and training in concert with this spiritual approach to recovery.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The author credibly presents an overview of the Twelve Steps and Traditions. There is a paucity of literature that uses an experiential approach to bridge the gap between a clinician's training and understanding of the spiritual aspects of the recovery program. Any clinician interested in addiction and recovery, or Twelve Step members, could benefit from this book. --------Weighted Numerical Score: 90 - 4 Stars! (Doody's )

From the Back Cover

Treat alcohol and substance abuse with the proven Twelve Steps
CLINICIAN’S GUIDE TO THE TWELVE STEP PRINCIPLES Marvin D. Seppala, MD

*Provides a clear overview of the Twelve Steps for treating alcoholism and addiction – now the framework for most substance abuse programs
*Thoroughly examines each individual step
*Explains the role of spirituality in the program
*Utilizes an experiential approach to bridge the gap between clinical skills/training and the spiritual aspects of the program
*Includes inspiring individual recovery stories
*Offers an historical perspective of the program

Incorporate the same principles utilized by Alcoholics Anonymous and other major treatment programs into your practice

Hazelden Chronic Illness Series offers clear and relevant information and practical advice on the treatment of chronic illness and related aspects of healthcare. Drawing on over fifty years of clinical experience and research at the Hazelden Foundation, the series provides authoritative coverage of a wide-range of topics critical to healthcare providers, students, and patients. This publishing alliance between Hazelden and McGraw-Hill, the world’s premier publisher of references and career tools for the medical profession, provides the depth and breadth of coverage you would expect when two industry leaders join forces. The HAZELDEN CHRONIC ILLNESS LIBRARY Clinician’s Guide to Spirituality * Clinician’s Guide to Mental Illness * Clinician’s Guide to Pediatric Chronic Illness * Clinician’s Guide to Holistic Medicine * Clinician’s Guide to Substance Abuse

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1 edition (March 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071347186
• ISBN-13: 978-0071347181
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #625,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too Good to Keep Just for Clinicians, April 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Clinician's Guide to the 12 Step Principles (Paperback)

Marvin Seppala has done it! He has gone where no other M.D. in recent memory has been willing to go. By writing this concise yet provocative book, Dr. Seppala has given us a window into the world of twelve step recovery programs. He shows a great respect for the ability of people of all walks of life to engage in a "mutual" support program in order to save their lives and the lives of countless others.

This book takes significant risks, particularly in the realm of spirituality. Seppala is no apologist for a spiritually-based approach to recovery from addictive disease. To the contrary, he makes a compelling case for the need of clinicians to better understand spirituality and its role in their patients' healing process. The book is essentially outlined along the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Each chapter gives the reader an in-depth understanding of the intent and the impact of each particular step; and while Seppala may be accused of being an unabashed twelve step cheerleader, he also shows the ability to employ cool reasoning in his chapter that addresses criticisms of twelve step programs. I know of no other book like this anywhere; and as a chemical dependency counselor as well as an interventionist, I welcome this book with gratitude and enthusiasm. This text has already allowed me to introduce otherwise reluctant clinicians and family members to the principles of twelve step recovery in a sound, rational and academic manner. The feedback I've received has been overwhelmingly positive.

If you know of clinicians and/or families that need a primer on the principles of twelve step recovery- what it is and what it isn't- you've found it with A Clinicians Guide to the Twelve Steps. Dr. Seppala has synthesized the essence of this elegant fellowship and brought it to the doorsteps of us all. The only significant criticism I might add is that the title is insufficient. This book lends itself extremely well to both the clinician and the layperson; I believe it will become a classic in the field.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book for anyone with questions about addiction, May 6, 2001

By 

"stylesbyjohanna" (Rochester, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clinician's Guide to the 12 Step Principles (Paperback)

Dr. Seppala's book deals with a very important and little understood topic in a wonderfully straightforward manner. The 12 step programs (Alcoholics Anonymous, etc.) are so often in the public eye from references in the lay press that these programs have become poorly understood cliches. This book strips away what you thought you knew, and fills in the gaps with well supported information on what simple and effective things 12 step programs actually are.

Any clinician, in any specialty, interacts frequently with addiction issues in their patients and in their personal lives. This book fills what is all to often a void in the educational backgrounds of healthcare providers by teaching what the 12 steps are and how an addict seeking help can find time tested and effective help in these programs. The most interesting thing about this book is the unapologetic way in which the critical element of spirituality is addressed. For too long sprirituality has been a taboo subject in the cooly rational world of medical education. This book emphasizes that spirituality is the foundation upon which recovery from addictive illness is built one day at a time.

I agree with the earlier reviewer that this book is not simply for clinicians, but is an excellent resource for anyone seeking an understanding of what is meant by a "12-step program" and wondering whether and how these programs succeed in addressing addictive behaviors.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too Good to Limit to Clinicians!, April 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Clinician's Guide to the 12 Step Principles (Paperback)

Marvin Seppala has done it! He has gone where no other M.D. in recent memory has been willing to go. By writing this concise yet provocative book, Dr. Seppala has given us a window into the world of twelve step recovery programs. He shows a great respect for the ability of people of all walks of life to engage in a "mutual" support program in order to save their lives and the lives of countless others.

This book takes significant risks, particularly in the realm of spirituality. Seppala is no apologist for a spiritually-based approach to recovery from addictive disease. To the contrary, he makes a compelling case for the need of clinicians to better understand spirituality and its role in their patients' healing process. The book is essentially outlined along the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Each chapter gives the reader an in-depth understanding of the intent and the impact of each particular step; and while Seppala may be accused of being an unabashed twelve step cheerleader, he also shows the ability to employ cool reasoning in his chapter that addresses criticisms of twelve step programs. I know of no other book like this anywhere; and as a chemical dependency counselor as well as an interventionist, I welcome this book with gratitude and enthusiasm. This text has already allowed me to introduce otherwise reluctant clinicians and family members to the principles of twelve step recovery in a sound, rational and academic manner. The feedback I've received has been overwhelmingly positive.

If you know of clinicians and/or families that need a primer on the principles of twelve step recovery- what it is and what it isn't- you've found it with A Clinicians Guide to the Twelve Steps. Dr. Seppala has synthesized the essence of this elegant fellowship and brought it to the doorsteps of us all. The only significant criticism I might add is that the title is insufficient. This book lends itself extremely well to both the clinician and the layperson; I believe it will become a classic in the field.

Doug Lyons, CADC-II