Altered states of consciousness therapy
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment January 1, 1991 John D. Mcpeake, Bruce P. Kennedy, Sharon M. Gordon 32 citations
Attaining altered states of consciousness is a basic human motive. People with substance use disorders pursue these states destructively through alcohol and drugs, yet rehabilitation programs often ignore this motive due to social disapproval, confusion between means and ends, and inadequate staff training. Alcoholics Anonymous directs members toward a spiritual awakening as an altered state, replacing the self-destructive pursuit of substance-induced highs. Failure to address patients' need for alternative methods of achieving altered states contributes to relapse. The authors describe an Altered States of Consciousness Therapy (ASCT) program that teaches patients to consciously manipulate affect and cognition to achieve a new consciousness.