Kontrolovaná konzuMace alkoholu - účinná poMoc, či jen planá naděje pro závislé?

The czech republic is among the first in europe in terms of adult alcohol consumption. the rate of alcohol use in the czech population has long been high. approximately one fifth of the czech population is at risk of alcohol-related problems or is already using alcohol problematically. the treatment of alcohol dependence in the czech republic has so far traditionally focused only on abstinence as the treatment goal, but in recent years, controlled alcohol consumption has also become the focus of attention as an alternative treatment target. the non-abstinence treatment as a new therapy has raised numerous questions and misinterpretations thus far. First of all, it is an understanding of controlled alcohol therapy as a substitute for traditional abstinent treatment. the competitive concept of both approaches has a historical background. it is related to the unusually strong controversy that aroused in the 1970s and 1980s a study by american psychologists, the sobell couple. the aim of this study was, among other things, to compare the effectiveness of abstinent and non-abstinent treatment. currently, experts agree that controlled consumption should be seen as a complement and extension of abstinent treatment, not as a competitor. there are also uncertainties regarding the indication and contraindication of controlled alcohol consumption. non-abstinent programs are suitable for alcohol abuse and less severe forms of addiction. another question is the nature of controlled consumption therapy, which is often interpreted only as a controlled reduction in alcohol consumption. the non-abstinence methods are based on the behavioural conception of addiction which understands it as a learned behaviour. therefore, the attention is focused on the stimuli of the pathologic consumption, as to their identification and treatment, i.e. highly and less risky circumstances of pathological consumption. to understand controlled drinking just as lowering consumption presents quite a limited perspective. controlled alcohol use has proven results in the treatment field and makes psychosocial help available to those who refuse the traditional abstinent treatment. it would be beneficial to increase the general awareness of the existence and principles of non-abstinent treatment in the czech republic, which is included in the recommended procedures of psychiatric care as one of the possible therapies.