Integrating the twelve-step approach with traditional psychotherapy for the treatment of eating disorders

Abstract

The treatment outcome literature for anorexia nervosa and bulimia indicates that approximately two thirds of patients treated with brief to moderate length interventions have favorable responses. The remaining one third are more difficult to treat and appear to require longer term and more intensive intervention. These patients can usually be characterized as having more severe Axis I and Axis II comorbidity. This manuscript focuses on a longer term treatment program that integrates psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy with a 12-step component. Specific issues that are addressed include the theoretical dilemma between the two models, advantages and disadvantages of adding a 12-step component, and how various subgroups of patients respond to the model. The clinical viability and preliminary impressions regarding outcome with this model are also offered.