The Minnesota Model: şexible, relevant and adapted in Scotland

The Minnesota Model of addiction treatment developed in the 1950s when little help was available for alcoholics and addicts. The model emphasizes the disease of alcoholism as a primary, chronic and complex illness which is treatable, not curable. Dignity and respect for patients are core principles of the model. Treatment is for the whole person; body, mind and spirit. It is abstinence-based and utilizes the Twelve Step self-help groups. The team is multi-disciplinary, consisting of a range of professionals that are able to meet the needs of the patients. This begins at the first enquiry, through the assessment, detoxification, treatment and aftercare phases. The Minnesota Model offered a completely new way of treating alcoholics and addicts at its inception in 1949. Today it continues to be relevant, appropriate and şexible for a wide range of patients. The şexibility enables adaptation to needs, new ideas and interventions without losing the core perspectives. Castle Craig Hospital, Scotland, has adapted the Minnesota Model in Europe with an eclectic, cross cultural group of patients. Adjunct therapies (for example trauma, drumming and equine therapy), the treatment of process addictions (for example gambling) and use of a hyperbaric chamber are but a few of the innovations resulting in successful treatment.