Interesting thread... good points from both sides of the fence.
I think I'll keep my 2 cents short for once... I'm not necessarily against AA/NA, simply put, I feel that the AA doctrine is a bit illogical.
That being said, what is truly unfortunate is that there arent any trusted alturnitives to rival AA/NA. I'm sure somewhere out there it exists but I just don't understand how out of all possibilities for treatment of addiction THIS is the most popular...
I did some research on that "rational recovery" mumbo jumbo and I have to say, although it seems to have cut the fat so to speak, its still a watered down version of AA.
Call me an idealist but wouldn't it just make sense to apply some good ol fashioned analytical psychology to the treatment of addiction? Why does it always have to be one size fits all? I would picture someone with a bonafide addictive disorder to be in great need of some in depth personal therapy, not just a meeting to listen to other people bitch about how they fucked up their lives. Because for people like this, just abstaining from their drug of choice is NOT going to "save their lives", it takes a total life change.
I've seen many different sides of what has been labeled by AA to be the "disease concept", I've seen many people self medicate due to pre-existing disorders, a few with legitimate addictive personalities and believe it or not I've met several people who just crave the "druggie" lifestyle... does this mean they are all diseased? I think there needs to be further study into this concept, considering addiction was only categorized as a disease so that it could be treatable instead of punishable, I think AA kind of ran away with that one trying to give creditability to the whole "powerless" pretense.
I have to say tho, in all honesty my heart goes out to those who are truly affected by such a burden, to feel utterly powerless to something is no laughing matter and not everyone has the mental strength to go at something as powerful as human impulse alone. I have no intention of making fun of the plight of those affected by addiction, in fact all I would hope for is to help by encouraging those who want to recover to EMPOWER themselves and to believe that all the strength they need can be found within themselves... not in a book, or at a meeting or with believing in some kind of imaginary friend, but instead the answers have always been in their hearts and minds.
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