Sections
Twelve-Step Facilitation: Introduction | Defining the Problem | Adding TSF to Ongoing Treatment | The Background of TSF | Starting Out | Core Elements of the
TSF Manual | Role of the Therapist | Key Points | References | Suggested Reading
Excerpt
The goal of this chapter is to help clinicians
better engage and support patients who have co-occurring or primary
alcohol or drug problems through use of 12-step programs to enhance
treatment outcomes and recovery. Twelve-step facilitation (TSF)
is an evidence-based practice with a large research base, a therapy
manual (Nowinski et al. 1995), and a Web-based training
site (Sholomskas and Carroll 2006). It is a valuable
technique easily available to the practicing psychiatrist and other
mental health professionals. The research base of TSF is reviewed
in other chapters of this book. This chapter is a condensed presentation
of some of the key techniques and concepts of TSF, with some special
adaptations for psychiatric practice. An important concept to recognize at
the outset is that TSF is a therapist's technique to help
patients engage in and maximize their response to 12-step meetings,
such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). (TSF is not AA, nor is it, as
far as we know, officially endorsed by AA or other 12-step programs.)
TSF can also be applied to treat individuals who are dependent on
substances other than alcohol, such as narcotics. Such individuals
can be encouraged to go to Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, where
the 12 steps are applied as well.