The Minnesota Model In Addiction Treatment: What It Is And How It Works
Addictions are chronic disorders that greatly affect the lives of people who suffer from them, both at a personal, family or work level, progressively eroding their mental health. For this reason, they have been investigated practically since the beginning of health sciences.
For more than half a century, psychology and health professionals have designed various intervention strategies to treat people with both chemical (related to substance use) and behavioral addiction problems.
There are many variables that must be taken into account by specialized professionals to treat addiction cases in the most individualized way possible and currently several intervention models have proven to be highly effective.
One of these methods used in the psychological and psychiatric field is the Minnesota model, a therapeutic intervention proposal designed to treat cases of alcoholism and other addictions and that today continues to be used by psychology professionals as a method to rehabilitate people with dependency problems.
The Minnesota model was designed in the 1950s to treat people with alcoholism although today it is also applied to intervene in all types of addictive disorders, both chemical and behavioral.
Until the 20th century, addictions were considered purely psychiatric diseases that were often caused by psychological alterations or deeper pathologies. In addition to that, the belief was held that people were addicts of their own free will and that the fault for their addiction was entirely their own.
With the appearance of the Minnesota method, addictions, especially alcoholism, as we have mentioned, are addressed from a totally new and revolutionary perspective; through much more accurate conceptions and approaches to the disease and the patient’s needs.
Thanks to the Minnesota model, addictions began to be studied and treated as pathologies with their own entity also being evaluated in its aspect of chemical or behavioral dependence.
In addition to that, throughout the subsequent decades, a series of psychological approaches and techniques based on the scientific method were integrated into this model that enriched psychological intervention.
Characteristics of the Minnesota model in addiction treatment
Throughout its decades of existence, the Minnesota model has experienced various changes adapted to new times, which have made it one of the most effective addiction intervention modalities that exist.
Below we will briefly present the elementary principles that the Minnesota model follows and the essential elements that make it a model of clinical success.
1. New approach
One of the main characteristics of the Minnesota model is that it is a treatment for addictions that conceives addiction as a chronic disease with possibilities of rehabilitation but for which continuous care is necessary to avoid relapse.
Another novelty in the approach proposed by the Minnesota model is an intensive and short-term treatment in which the person will return as soon as possible or in a short time to their usual social and family environment.
In addition to that, the approach is comprehensive and interdisciplinary, based on the joint application of various effective therapies such as the cognitive-behavioral approach or Systemic Family Therapy. Addiction is also conceived as a multifaceted disorder in which environmental, social, family and personality factors must be taken into account.
2. Therapeutic phases
The three therapeutic phases of the model are the exhaustive evaluation to achieve definitive abstinence; the early recovery or withdrawal period and the late recovery phase.
In the first phase, the person’s situation is evaluated, the extent of their addiction and the strategy to follow during the cessation or cessation treatment is outlined.
In the second phase, psychological therapies based on the scientific method are applied, especially Cognitive-behavioral Therapy, with which the person’s thoughts are reconfigured and more positive or adaptive habits, beliefs or thoughts are integrated.
During the third phase of the intervention, deep aspects of the personality are worked on and techniques aimed at modifying current behaviors are put into practice.
3. Objectives
The main objectives of the Minnesota model are, since its creation, achieve total abstinence from the consumption of the drug or from the performance of the behavior to which the person is addicted.
The second objective of the model is to improve the person’s life and provide them with all possible tools so that they can reintegrate as soon as possible into their social or family environment, all with a direct desire to help at all times and in a respectful manner.
4. Recognition of addiction
To begin treatment using the Minnesota model, it is essential that the person recognizes their addiction, as well as that their environment is capable of being aware of it and is willing to help at all times.
In addition to recognizing that an addiction problem exists, the patient must also admit his helplessness and inability to control it since only then will you realize that you need professional help.
5. Early reintegration
The basic characteristic of the Minnesota model is, as has been indicated, the early and rapid reintegration of the person into their usual social and family environment, so that they do not lose contact with it during the intervention.
The success of the treatment depends on whether the professional knows how to act quickly, quickly identifying each of the problems that the person has and acting accordingly and effectively.
6. Routine integration
The psychology professional who puts the Minnesota model into practice must also help the person being treated to integrate a special daily routine that helps them change their old harmful and addictive habits.
The new routine must include well-determined and scheduled tasks every hour, so that the person begins to organize their daily life well and take control of their life, completely eliminating addictive behavior.
7. Importance of group therapy
Group therapy is essential in the Minnesota model, as it ensures that once treatment is completed, the person is able to move forward with your new life without relapsing and having a support group that you trust.
Therapeutic groups have proven to be highly effective in cases of addiction, since each of the members who have the same problem supports each other and acts as a positive model for everyone, thus facilitating and motivating the personal improvement of each member through your account.
8. Adoption of the 12 steps
The Minnesota model is also based on the integration of the classic 12 steps of the American organization of Alcoholics Anonymous.
This intervention is highly effective both in cases of alcoholism and any other drug addiction and establishes a series of bases and behavioral guidelines to overcome addiction in a short time.
9. Individualized attention
Care in the Minnesota model is individualized at all times and It is based from the first session on the particular characteristics of the patient.
In addition to that, the type of therapy that the person presents and what their social, family, personal or work environment is is taken into account to carry out an intervention that is as tailored as possible to their specific interests and problems.
10. Family support
Family support is essential for the intervention with the Minnesota model to be successful.
That is why the professional also provides the family with certain strategies, behavioral guidelines or knowledge to help their family member with problems.
