title: [Specificity of alcoholism and resulting methods of therapeutic practice].
abstract: Addiction to alcohol is a bodily disease (DSM IV) kept up by certain psychological mechanisms, which are created in order to preserve and justify the need to drink. In the course of alcoholism those mechanisms are modified to form psychological addiction, thus creating, alongside with physical addiction, twofold psychopshysiological addiction. The specific character of the disease requires both medical treatment and psychotherapeutic actions carried out according to certain definite principles aimed at disarming the defence mechanisms which justify a persons right to drink. The actions of therapists working in order to break off a persons addiction should be of approving and instructive character, and at the same time manifest the therapists awareness of the interdependence of physical as well as psychological aspects of the disease. Due to the chronic character of alcoholism and the resulting threat of relapse, what is of particular importance in maintaining ones sobriety are AA support groups.
authors.affiliation: Poradhi Odwykowej, Przychodni Rejonowej nr 11 w Krakowie-Krowodrzy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nowobilska-Stanios
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stachura
mesh_terms: D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012944:Social Support