Elan and Alcoholism/ Drug Addiction

[Anonymous]

My friend's sister is now at Elan. They no longer have the boxing ring or the general meetings, so I don't think Elan is as bad as it used to be, and I'm not a pro-Elan person at all. The main problem that I see is that she is an alcoholic/addict and is in need of medications, and I don't think Elan adequately addresses these issues. She is not willing to admit that she has a problem, Step 1, of AA, so she might not be helped anywhere, which is what one of my friends who's in AA told me. I do know that even Elan is better than her not being anywhere so that she can be a danger to herself and others. The parents are not to blame for her problems, because I know both her brothers, and they turned out fine. One goes to Northeastern and the other one goes to Worchester State. I was wondering if anyone could offer some feedback on this matter, because I have never suffered from mental illness/ addiction, so I don't know how to cope with these things post-Elan, or if anyone knows of any alternative places that have 12step programs. The parents are willing to give it some time, even though she's screwing around, because there really aren't that many places to send her. And is the post-1999 Elan a lot different than it used to be, could it possibly help her?

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[ This Message was edited by: Sheik Yerbouti on 2004-05-26 10:09 ]

[Anonymous]

What is insane to me is that people don't realize that in the 21st century, the 12 steps are *NOT* the only way.  They help many people, but there are many they don't help.

There are alternatives-- though most places for teens, sadly, don't offer them, but it is not necessary to get the first step or any step to get clean.  In fact, sometimes that can harm because if you believe you are powerless, you tend to have worse relapses, according to the research.

Most people, even many of those with the most serious problems, get clean without any help at all, in fact. They simply grow up and find that holding a job and having kids doesn't allow the heavy partying lifestyle that one's 20's can.

Don't buy the myths-- treatment that uses dignity, respect and care and is user-friendly, not mean, humiliating and confrontational is more effective than that which forces people to "surrender."

Even the 12 steps themselves were, after all, designed to be VOLUNTARY!!!

Anyway, you could check out my book, Recovery Options:  The Complete Guide:  How You and Your Loved Ones Can Understand and Treat Alcohol and Other Drug Problems (Wiley, 2000) if you want the research data as well as personal experiences (both positive and negative) of the various options.  Sorry to sound like a commercial!

Maia Szalavitz
maia@echonyc.com

[SyN]

It all revolves around religion and the Illuminati.  Religion keeps the masses blissfully ignorant by focusing on chanting and stories to cover up the true past, formed by the illuminati.  Bliss full ignorance leads to absolute power. Duhn duh!!!! or is it?
you think with all the proven science and techonology we could all evolve from that now.  

I think Mathmatics is a better religion, at least you learn about true balance  
But hey give them another zoloft and forget.

Randomly to you all.
SyN

[SyN]

Art i agree fully with your post by the way.  The school system forgets who is footing the bill and tries to hard to push their view.  That is the begining of the whole problem.  Maybe the focus should be turn to the bullycratic school system, with out them Elan would not exist. :idea:
 But my theory is to breed them out. bwahahahaha just kiddin.  
But fuk elan any way.
SyN

[Marty Douchebag Kruglik]

Elan showed and taught me the meaning of drugs. I maybe smoked pot 2 or 3 times before going to elan, when I got out I experimented with ACID and did Coke for a brief time.

They took away a good dent of my party years so I had some catching up. I didn't really grow up until years after elan, 8 to be exact.

[Pete]

Good to see you Maia.  You interviewed me about three years ago.

As a 12-stepper, I agree with you that the 12 steps are not the only way.  I also think there are many people who grossly abuse the "power" they have as sponsors or old-timers to give advice they're not qualified to give.

But the 12 steps do work, in my opinion.  They continue to do wonders for me.

If you're a Christian (or just curious) another good book to read, is "Sermon on the Mount" by Emmet Fox.

[Anonymous]

Hi Pete...

Yes, I certainly remember you and really appreciate your help.  

Re:  those who want to get my book.  It's on amazon, just search my name or the title "recovery options" and is at many bookstores as well.

Re:  the 12 steps being the only way.  I got clean through the steps as well and used to see it as the only way that worked but that was because I was blind to the other types of recovering people all around me and they didn't particularly want to share their stories with someone they knew would judge them as being "not *really* in recovery."

Once I dropped the superior attitude, I began to hear from people doing great on methadone, people who'd kicked with no treatment, people who'd gotten clean in their churches, through falling in love, people who'd been in AA and who were now moderate drinkers, people in Rational Recovery, people in SMART recovery, who'd gotten better through all manner of means I'd been taught in 12 step programs were not legitimate.  but those people were doing just as well in their lives as many people I saw in "the rooms."

there really is no one true way-- but if you are told that everyone not in AA is a "dry drunk," you won't notice all the dry drunks in AA and see everyone outside it as one. (not that I think that term means anything anyway-- there's no evidence for it, nor is there evidence for an "addictive personality" common to all addicts and alcoholics.)

Maia

[Anonymous]

hmm
ok,, its not   like  catsup and ketchup,, but as with concept in a anabused form,, these things work only if you want them to,,same with a.a,, or n.a,, or whatever you wanna call it now.if you buy the package ,you take the ride, the reality is elan  in my time,, was not interested in drug  use,, as a mater of fact ,, they said it was ok in moderation,, as with anything else,,but a.a  and most of its clone programs,, are not equipped to deal with the heavey childhood traumas that  i saw emerge  in elan,mother stabbers and father rapers,, the 12 steps dont cut it when your an abused  child,,,but once again,, whatever gets  you thru the night