F.A.Q.

Q. What is the difference between being an alcoholic and a problem drinker?

A. An alcoholic is someone who can not control his or her drinking habit. Some people may hide their dependence very well, but they are fully addicted if they do not drink as a matter of choice. They can’t quit. Very few people who misuse alcohol are true alcoholics. A problem drinker can stop but doesn’t want to. But many problem drinkers are able to control their drinking, even after years of drinking so much that it affects their lives, relationships, and work. They are good candidates for a treatment plan that will help them learn to drink in moderation.

Q. Can I become a moderate alcohol or drug user or must I quit completely?

A. Not according to AA and other 12-step programs. But recently, they have been challenged by a new group of experts who tell us that these more familiar programs are based on the now-disputed disease model of addiction. They presume that people who are still using any problem substance cannot make progress in treatment. Compounding the problem further, the spouses and loved ones of the problem drinker or user have also been convinced to believe that moderate drinking is impossible. This creates a culture of fear that can worsen the very situation it is trying to change and causes people to avoid even investigating treatments not based on total abstinence that could help them.

Q. Why don’t 12-step programs work for everyone?

A. There simply isn’t a convenient “one size fits all” approach that works for everyone. Some people aren’t comfortable with the quasi-religious aspects of 12-step programs. Some are wary of the huge commitment of time many of these programs require. Some are skeptical of the top-down approach. There are many other contemporary treatment options available that have nothing to do with the 12-step method.

Q. If 12-step programs don’t work for me, what are my alternatives?

A. There are many alternatives to 12-step programs available. Rather than list them here for you to guess which of them might work best for you, please contact and if you choose, I can work with you until we can identify the approach (or approaches) that may be of most benefit to you.

Q. What is the difference between an addiction and a bad habit?

A. Whether you have found drugs, alcohol, gambling, the Internet, or even sex have become a part of your regular routine, you may have a problem. If these or other behaviors begin to control your behavior, deciding whether you have a bad habit or addiction may be making a distinction without a difference. When a behavior puts your life at risk, puts your marriage at risk or puts the people most dear to you at risk, it is time to take control and make the changes that are necessary to put your life back in balance. It’s not the responsibility of a “higher power, it’s up to you.

Q. How many sessions with you will it take before I see improvement?

A. There is no magic number of sessions that you will need to reach your goal. Each client is different. Every treatment plan is completely individualized. We will work together as long as we mutually agree that we are accomplishing something worthwhile. Some of my clients have just needed a few sessions, while others continue treatment for years—although prolonged treatment is the exception not the rule. It is simply a matter of doing whatever it takes for each person to succeed.

Q. Do I have to wait until I (or the person I love) hits bottom before he will change?

A. PLEASE don’t wait until they hit bottom. We used to think that hitting bottom was necessary before an addict could be convinced that he or she needed help. But there are many effective strategies for helping someone to change before that dangerous point in time occurs. In fact, if you wait until they hit bottom, it may be too late.

It is helpful to understand that there are specific stages in the process of changing behavior. There is an emotional cost/benefit ratio the root of the current “stuck” situation you or a loved one find yourself confronting. The sooner you act to resolve problems the better the outcome.

Q. How can I find a professional who offers your services in my community?

A. I am part of a worldwide network of professionals that provides alternatives to the 12-step approach. During a telephone consultation, I can refer you to an addiction alternatives therapist or a facility that offers out-patient or in-patient programs. You can also choose to continue working with me privately–in person or by phone.

Q. What are your qualifications for treating people with addiction problems?

A. I am the founder of Addiction Alternatives™ and have over 30 years of experience as a clinical psychologist and addictions specialist in private practice in Los Angeles. I have devoted my career to helping people overcome self-defeating habits with alcohol, street drugs, prescription drugs and other excessive behaviors, including gambling, pornography, shopping, overeating, sexual addiction and Internet addiction. My goal is to provide my clients with a wide variety life management skills and the necessary tools to enable them to live happier lives.