Relationship Psychology Discussions > The Vent

12 steps, or not?

(1/2) > >>

copperhead:
Consider this point of view: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/03/the-surprising-failures-of-12-steps/284616/
Book "The Sober Truth": http://www.npr.org/2014/03/23/291405829/with-sobering-science-doctor-debunks-12-step-recovery - http://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2014/03/31/12-step-dodes

And you can find much much more.

With a rate of 5-10% success, it can't be considered the best option to treat addiction.

Baypark1:
Have you tried it personally?  I'm wondering why you're so against it.  I personally know many many people who have over 20 years sobriety using the 12 steps including myself. 

sunshineluv7:
Agreed. I think 5-10% success rate just has to be wrong. If that was true it wouldn't have grown to be several different programs that are national and maybe even international. Even the person I do know who at first said the same thing as this (it doesn't work, it's not for me, etc) it ended up being the thing that likely saved her life -- but only once she was truly ready to admit she had an issue, and wasn't there due to court order.

copperhead:

--- Quote from: Baypark1 on January 02, 2017, 02:52:37 PM ---Have you tried it personally?  I'm wondering why you're so against it.  I personally know many many people who have over 20 years sobriety using the 12 steps including myself.

--- End quote ---

I'm firmly opposed to replace an addiction with another 'addiction': faith not in yourself but in a superior being is what AAA teaches.
And no, I haven't tried myself: I would never do it. But I've dated someone who did it. Sure, he was sober (20 years), but he was 'addicted' to other things: adrenaline, love, sex, etc. He was the most insecure person I've ever met. Also, he was 'dependent' upon his mentor. We all need people to talk to, I do it with my friends a lot. But mature and emotionally healthy adults should be able to make decisions without continuously consulting with someone else. The program is not much different from a cult, with zero scientific base. Read some of the articles I posted (and search for more), they'll give background why the program has become so huge but, in reality, not so successful (yes, the 5-10% success rate of AAA is the true figure).

copperhead:

--- Quote from: sunshineluv7 on January 02, 2017, 06:11:50 PM ---Agreed. I think 5-10% success rate just has to be wrong. If that was true it wouldn't have grown to be several different programs that are national and maybe even international. Even the person I do know who at first said the same thing as this (it doesn't work, it's not for me, etc) it ended up being the thing that likely saved her life -- but only once she was truly ready to admit she had an issue, and wasn't there due to court order.

--- End quote ---

Read some of the articles I posted, they explain why AAA has become huge. The % is correct.
Yes, it has saved lives, good. But has it really created healthy individuals or simply people who no longer drink?
It's one method. For some it has worked. For the most, it hasn't. And it's time the general public knows more about fighting addictions: there's more than just AAA.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page