Editing Rational Recovery (section)

== Program ==
The program (AVRT) is not a form of therapy, counseling, or addiction treatment. Some assistance is free, but the program requires some "very modest charges" for goods and services including books, articles, and audio CDs to assist in the recovery process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rational.org/index.php?id=90|title=Rational Recovery {{!}} My AVRT-Based Recovery|website=Rational.org|access-date=2016-09-26}}</ref> Much of the material is offered for free via the [[Internet]], and an interested person can begin the Rational Recovery program through the Internet. The Rational Recovery program is based on the premise that the addict both desires and is capable of permanent, planned [[abstinence]]. However, the Rational Recovery program recognizes that, paradoxically, the addict also wants to continue using. This is because of their belief in the power of the substance to quell their anxiety; an anxiety which is itself partially substance-induced, as well as greatly enhanced, ''by'' the substance.<ref name="Beck">See Beck, et al.</ref> This ambivalence is the Rational Recovery definition of addiction.

According to this paradigm, the primary force driving an addict's predicament is what Trimpey calls the "addictive voice", which can physiologically be understood as being related to the parts of the human brain that control our core survival functions such as hunger, sex, and bowel control. Consequently, when the desires of this "voice" are not satiated, the addict experiences anxiety, depression, restlessness, irritability, and [[anhedonia]] (inability to feel pleasure). In essence, the RR method is to first make a commitment to planned, permanent abstinence from the undesirable substance or behavior, and then equip oneself with the mental tools to stick to that commitment. Most important to recovering addicts is the recognition of this addictive voice, and determination to remain abstinent by constantly reminding themselves of the rational basis of their decision to quit. As time progresses, the recovering addict begins to see the benefits of separating themselves and their rational minds from a bodily impulse that has no regard for responsibility, success, delayed gratification, or moral obligation.

While nomenclature differs, the methods are similar to those used in ''Cognitive Therapy of Substance Disorders'' (Beck, et al.) and other belief-, attitude- and appraisal-challenging and cognitive restructuring schemes.<ref name="Garrett">See Garrett.</ref>

The RR program is based on recognizing and defeating what the program refers to as the "addictive voice" (internal thoughts that support self-intoxication) and [[Dissociation (psychology)|dissociation]] from addictive impulses. The specific technique of Addictive Voice Recognition Technique (AVRT) refers to the practice of objectively recognizing any mental thoughts that support or suggest substance use as AV (addictive voice). This passive recognition allows the practitioner to realize that they don't need to do what the AV says, but can effortlessly abstain. This technique relies heavily on basic semantics, essentially relegating the AV to an objectively recognizable "it" and retaining the control and free will of the "I." Rather than saying to oneself, "I drink", one can use AVRT to understand that "I don't want to drink, it (the AV) wants to drink." Once this "separation" is achieved, and the practitioner has personally experienced that they indeed can observe objectively their own addictive voice, maintaining abstinence is a matter of self-control and becomes a personal choice of free will.

In his book, ''Rational Recovery'', Trimpey calls the addict's addictive voice "the bark of Beast", "the Beast" being the desire for intoxication. He proposes that this is the sole reason why addicts continue their self-destructive ways. Furthermore, by recognizing any feeling, image, urge, etc. that supports drinking/using as "Beast activity", the compulsions will fall silent, and the person can eventually regain control over their life and never worry about relapses. Rather than making addiction a lifelong battle, it is much easier to say "no" to the addictive voice, than to give in. Moreover, this separation of the rational self from the relentless "Beast" will, Trimpey says, enable addicts to always remain aware of the repercussions associated with a single relapse.

The notions that internal thoughts support self-intoxication and that the practitioner is in control of the addictive voice have become foundational in "evidence-based" treatment schemes at more progressive substance abuse treatment facilities in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. These facilities base their programs on the success of [[rational emotive behavior therapy]],<ref name="Ellis">See Albert Ellis, et al.</ref> [[cognitive behavioral therapy]],<ref name="Aaron">See Aaron Beck, et al.</ref> cognitive appraisal therapy,<ref name="Wessler">See Richard Wessler, et al.</ref> and [[schema therapy]]<ref name="Young">See Jeffrey Young, et al.</ref> for anxiety and depression, as well as for substance abuse.