Alcoholism rehabilitation: a supportive approach.

The author presents several possible components of an alcoholism treatment program in which recovery is defined as total abstinence with improved life functioning. The components include individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, Alcoholics Anonymous, family therapy, behavior modification, and medications. Several combinations of these components are possible, but they all stress a supportive, here-and-now approach wherein the patient explores the deleterious effects alcohol has had on his or her life, and learns to readjust to life without alcohol.