This is an excellent article. It's interesting to those in addiction research -- but more so, anyone reading health research studies should check this article just to see -- the problems with published and republished studies. -- the interpretations and misinterpretations of data -- the way certain data is selected and other data ignored -- the differences in subjects (for example, in an AA study are they voluntary attendees or court-ordered) In addition, this piece is well-written and humorous. The author is impressive. Regarding AA As the author points out, if you want to quit drinking there are many ways to be successful. Anecdotally though, AA has been a life saver for a close friend of mine, but a lot was at stake and he really had to quit drinking.
Thanks for taking the time to read it. I've seen a lot of material on this subject and most comes off as just AA bashing. This piece seems unbiased and quite thoughtful for the reasons you mentioned. I'm glad your friend got their life back together through the program. Having been down that road myself I believe rehabilitation and anonymous support go hand in hand. Help aside, it's mostly on the individual whether they succeed or not. People have different ideas of sobriety. My biggest issue with AA was the absolute stubborness of their mission. You will follow all these steps and you will go to meetings for the rest of your life or you will die! My other issue was the cliqueness of it. Many I met in the program treated it like high school. A popularity contest. God help you if you became romantically involved with one of them. I'd say half the people I knew seemed addicted to the program itself. That left a bad taste in my mouth. They had replaced one addiction with another. I guess it's better than drugging and drinking yourself to death but it's still a compulsion that rules you. I cleaned myself up, rebuilt the life I'd destroyed, and moved on. AA played a part, but doctors and medicine is what saved my life. Different strokes I guess. The biggest thing I learned was not to judge people. Whatever works for the ones you love.
The makeup of the group and one's ability to connect with one's sponsor make a big difference.
The biggest thing I learned was not to judge people.
Indeed, and if they need meetings to keep them grounded then bravo to them for finding a way to stay grounded and connected to others. I know people who believe they need to meditate for two hours a day or their lives go to ratshit. They get unfocussed and fall into self-destructive behaviours.Thanks for taking the time to read it.
No, thank you for posting. One of my ever-changing rituals is to try to read one hubskthing early and contribute in some way. Now I must focus on the ever-expanding tasks at hand.