A Choice Theory Approach to Drug and Alcohol Abuse (Paperback)

Choice Theory takes a look at the abuser/addict's behavior and deals with the client's unhappiness as the cause of their use and reliance on a substance to deal with stress and unwanted emotions. Constant use ultimately leads to eventual dependence as a result of the body's adjustment to living with a drug that is continuously being introduced into the body and brain. Michael emphatically states: "A mental illness? NO! A character disorder? Not a chance! Substance abuse/dependence is no more than an individual's desire to satisfy an uncomfortable situation with a more comfortable state of mind, physically and mentally, and as a result, the body has become accustomed to it and has adjusted to it's prevalence in the body and brain." The Choice Theory approach deals with creating new or reconnecting relationships with the important people in one's life as well as learning new methods to deal with unhappiness instead of trying to satisfy it with short term pleasure from a drug.

Michael Rice is a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor who is certified in Reality Therapy and Choice Theory by the William Glasser Institute. Choice Theory differentiates from conventional psychiatry that diagnoses mental illness and brain disorders for conditions that have no pathology and are treated with psychotropic medications. Choice Theory is based upon personal choices, personal responsibility, and personal transformation. What is being diagnosed and medicated as a mental illness is, in reality, the behavior of someone who is acting out of frustration and unhappiness. The unhappiness and frustration is the result of an unsatisfying relationship with someone important to them . . . something that is occurring in the present. The frustration and unhappiness is the result of several unsuccessful attempts to control a situation that will result in an acceptable relationship. The relationship problem may also be the client's own relationship with him/herself. Mike has been in private practice since 1998 and over the years has helped over four thousand clients for substance abuse and several other behavioral health and emotional concerns. His years of practice and experience has encompassed group therapy, one-on-one, and couples counseling, helping others to better understand themselves by teaching Choice Theory methods of improving their relationships with the important people in their lives. Mike has been an active member of the William Glasser Institute, having served as the Regional Director of the Western states as well as having served on the U.S. Board of Directors of the Institute. Mike has presented several workshops at conferences in AZ, CA, NV, TN, CT, and Bogota, Columbia. He has presented at the AZ Psychological Association and the Sierra Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence in Sacramento, CA. Along with Dr. Kenneth Larsen, Mike co-emceed the opening ceremonies of the William Glasser International Conference at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in June of 2012. Mike remains the CEO and Director of Court Counseling Services in Mesa, AZ, which he started in 1998. He continues to assess clients for substance abuse, teaches life-skills, and shares his experiences with client issues and Choice Theory applications in his books and articles.