The Minnesota Model in the Management of Drug and Alcohol Dependency: miracle, method or myth? Part I. The Philosophy and the Programme ^★

Abstract

The Minnesota Model is an abstinence orientated, comprehensive, multi-professional approach to the treatment of the addictions, based upon the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. It espouses a disease concept of drug and alcohol dependency with the promise of recovery, but not cure, for those who adhere to it. The programme is intensive, offering group therapy, lectures, and counselling based upon a pattern developed in Minnesota, in the United States, during the late 1940s and the 1950s. Its origins and content are distinct from the 'Concept Houses' and the wider Therapeutic Community movement, but it incorporates themes held in common with both of these treatment approaches.

Contingent Reinforcement of Abstinence With Individuals Abusing Cocaine and Marijuana

“…The efficacy of a "sequential" approach using contingency management and CRA for treating multiple-drug users demonstrated in the present study provides an alternative to traditional approaches to drug abuse treatment (e.g., the 12-step approach) that emphasize (and usually mandate) immediate cessation from all drugs of abuse and treat all drugs, induding alcohol, similarly (Cook, 1988;Washton, 1990). Such demands can sometimes result in early treatment dropouts (Higgins et al, 1991).…”

Obstacles to 12-step group participation as seen by addiction professionals: Comparing Norway to the United States

“…Participants were fairly knowledgeable about how to contact TSGs and what participation entails (Table 2). In terms of the TSGs' organization and practices, the most common misconception, which was held by over half the sample (54%), is that AA meetings are the same as professional treatment that uses the "Minnesota Model" (Cook, 1988). Also suggesting confusion between TSGs and the formal treatment system was the finding that 38% of the clinicians believed that TSGs run treatment institutions.…”

Disseminating evidence-based practices in substance abuse treatment: A review with suggestions

“…Many treatments have been developed by innovators and have diffused into community practice without even Stage I research. Some examples are self-help programs (Nowinski, 2003), therapeutic communities (DeLeon, 2003), the Minnesota model (Cook, 1988), and drug courts (Deschenes, Peters, Goldkamp, & Belenko, 2003). The stage model describes a deliberate stepwise process to develop interventions that do work and that can be learned and used by practicing clinicians.…”