Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > CAN ~ Collective Action Network
Flier think tank for AA/NA/TC and etcs..
Che Gookin:
Well I'd suggest rather than attempting to actively draw someone away from the culty thinking of NA, we may want to consider putting the information out their for them to digest. Let them figure it out for themselves, and make avaliable for them a place to easily access further information.
I'd steer away from the boiler plate rebuttals.
I'd avoid attempting to diminish the standing of the leaders or backers of whatever group it is.
Just put some facts out there in easily consumable portions. (2 inch rule applies)
sicktomystomach:
From: http://www.aarc.ab.ca/the_AARC_program.html
The AARC program offers comprehensive assessment, treatment and aftercare, based on the concepts of:
* Twelve Step Recovery models of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA)
The Twelve Traditions
--- Quote ---One—Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
--- End quote ---
Except those who screw up too bad and are "banished"
--- Quote ---Two—For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
--- End quote ---
That's why permission slips are required so youth can get a jacket from their parents when the season changes? And parents will be kicked out and lose contact with their own children if they miss a meeting to attend to something like changing residence without a permission given in advance.
Or - ONE authority... I thought everyone had their own "higher power" that would make as many authorities as there are clients and family members.
--- Quote ---Three—The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
--- End quote ---
And to renovate your house according to program standards, and to remove any children from the home (placing them in foster care if necessary) who can not participate in the program, and to not have any roommates or tenants who are not involved in the program, and to give the program more money than you can afford to give, and to lock up clients under the supervision of other clients in your home... and ... and ... and
--- Quote ---Four—Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
--- End quote ---
I don't imagine the female AARC clients who had to go "door knocking" for an MLA during a campaign did so "autonomously".
--- Quote ---Five—Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
--- End quote ---
That and to make money... lots of money.
--- Quote ---Six—An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
--- End quote ---
An endorsement? http://www.sportcourtalberta.com/Adoles ... covery.pdf
--- Quote ---Seven—Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
--- End quote ---
One example of many:
AARC’s sixth annual “Tournament of Miracles” hosted by Bob Tessari, Tesco Corpo-
ration and the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC) will be held at SilverTip
Golf Course in Canmore, on Thursday, August 19, 2004.
Every year has been a sell out, and this year will be no exception! Each year Tesco,
along with other sponsors and golfers help AARC raise over $100,000 for the teen
drug treatment centre. These funds help ensure no family is turned away because
they are unable to pay the full cost of treatment.
AARC reaches out to teens and their families who are in a bitter battle with the
ravages of addiction. The Centre is often the last hope for the adolescent family. To
date, AARC has graduated 251 clients, which includes over 650 family members.
The Calgary community benefits from the success of the AARC graduates. Inde-
pendent validation of AARC’s treatment outcomes reported that over 80% of our
graduates are today clean and sober, in school or working and reunited with their
families, instead of being a drain on society.
Dr. F. Dean Vause, the Board of Directors, the clients, families and staff of AARC are
indeed grateful for the continued support of Tesco Corporation.
“When I came into treatment, my life was a mess. My drug use was out of control
and I had lost everything in my life. Today I am a completely different person. I have
a job, I’m going to school, and most importantly, I am no longer bound by my addic-
tion.”
Ben - AARC Graduate
Karen McKay
Fund Development Manager
Self supporting - :D
Also see http://www.thunderbay.ca/docs/business/3288.pdf Page 36 "Institutional" for more evidence of AARC's lack of outside contributions.
--- Quote ---Eight—Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
--- End quote ---
Why are kids court ordered to anything non-professional? Why does a "non-professional" agency claim to cure mental illnesses which require "professionals" to treat? Why does the program go on about it's unique blend of personal and clinical experience? Why is Dean Vause referred to as a psychologist in the media if he isn't one? What do you call a doctor who treats the kids in the program and their judge-spouse who orders children there without parental consent? Non-professionals? Or are they the "special workers"?
--- Quote ---Nine—A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
--- End quote ---
Why are we expected to follow a "chain of command" if it's not organized? newcomer, oldcomer, oldtimer, graduate, peer counselor, clinical counselor... ? Sounds pretty organized.
--- Quote ---Ten—Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
--- End quote ---
The legal matters of a graduate would be an outside issue, and I would consider the following an opinion: In closing, I had the opportunity to spend a full day clinically addressing the
accident and the shame Amy felt. She felt horrible and deep guilt to the family
of the deceased. From http://www.albertacourts.ab.ca/jdb/2003 ... pc0129.pdf
--- Quote ---Eleven—Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
--- End quote ---
See Twelve
--- Quote ---Twelve—Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
--- End quote ---
Right. That's why AARC/Vause regularly graces the pages of the Calgary Sun and other media outlets and is a favorite of "Society Columnists"
try another castle:
How about this?
Have a picture of a sobriety chip. (with an actual number value on it, such at 30 days, 5 years, etc. I'm leaning towards a large span of time, such as five years.) Then underneath the chip have it say "What are you really counting?" Then an URL to whatever you were wanting it to link to.
It's very nebulous, and only hints at something critical of 12 step. So it might pique their curiosity to check out the website. Maybe we can have a portal site that links to the other pages, and on the portal explain the full intent of the flier. I think that chips are one of the most telling things about 12 step, because it is a technique used to keep people in the fold. It's a shame-based deterrent to keep people from using, drinking, leaving, because if they do, they have to start their sobriety countdown all over again. (Not leaving directly, but the group uses fear in an attempt to convince the person that if they leave, it's only a matter of time before they start using again.)
It continues to remind you that you are part of a group, and the chips are little cookies of approval.
As someone who was in the fold 18+ months, I can tell you with authority that people who had time there way longer than what was required by the state would come in visibly fucked up and collect chips. My question was, if you are drinking/using, and you are no longer required to be there, why the fuck are you still there collecting chips that essentially say nothing about what you are really doing? Cause you are counting the amount of time you have been in 12 step, not how long you have been sober, that's why.
FemanonFatal2.0:
How about:
You ARE NOT powerless!
and go on to say how AA misleads their members into dependance and relapse by exploiting an addicts weakness instead of encouraging will power and self motivation.
or
Addiction is NOT a Disease
and go on to mention that a disease and a disorder are two different things and a behavior, such as choosing to injest a substance is neither.
AA is a CULT
and go on to make the similarities in comparison to other known aspects of cults.
or
Recovery is NOT a Religion
and go on to talk about the way that converting to a "god concept" is held as a requirement for recovery is not only unconstitutional but it is only evidence that AA/NA is only a modern day religious crusade.
Just a few ideas.
BTW if you need help with the design concept of these flyers let me know I can knock one out for ya.
try another castle:
Actually, on second thought, you should just put up fliers that advertise happy hour for all of the local bars. Free pitcher with every 30 day chip.
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