I came across an article in Time magazine entitled “Battling Addiction: Are Twelve Steps Too Many?“ The article addressed the issue of spirituality in 12 Step Recovery Programs. The originator of the 12 Step Recovery Program is of course Alcoholics Anonymous. The article opines that the spiritual method may not always be the most effective method of recovery for addicts. With regards to controlled studies done within and outside spiritually based programs of recovery:
“Because of the enduring popularity of AA and similar programs that involve a spiritual component, Miller and his team expected the patients in the spiritual group to do better than those in the secular group. They were wrong — at least in the short term.”
“What’s more, those who received spiritual guidance reported being significantly more anxious and depressed after four months than those who got secular help”
Anyone who has walked through the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous and payed attention for a meeting or two is familiar with the concept of the 12 steps. The 12 step program of AA has affected lives world wide and is the basis for numerous other addiction self-help programs. No one in AA would deny that the 12 steps are intended to be spiritually based program. The more divisive issue is what it means to be “spiritual” within the program. Most would deny that it is a program based upon a religious foundation or a fundamental belief in God as a religious deity. What if you do not believe in God? What if you are not a spiritual person? Are you doomed to a drunken life? I can state from personal experience that many in the program would say yes. This is a source of unspoken conflict within the program. Here are the specific steps that reference God.
Step 3: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him”
Step 5: “Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs”
Step 6. “ Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
Step 11: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.“
Call me crazy but that sounds pretty religious to me regardless of the addition of the language “as we understand him“ If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck.
When I entered AA in April of 2007, Step 3 had very little meaning to me. I was not a spiritual person. I did not consider myself an agnostic but I had unanswered questions. I was very blunt in meetings in sharing that it was not that I did not believe in god it was just not a subject I really cared about. If others needed their beliefs in whatever deity they found relevant in their lives I thought and think that’s great if it works for them. I however was not going to drop to my knees at night and say words that had no meaning to me to stay sober. I was not going to say the “Lord’s Prayer” in AA meetings as the words had no meaning to me in the spiritual sense. To me personally it is silly to recite words like a zombie because someone who tells me that’s the way it has always been done. It had a very “cult like” feel to me. I was told not to worry about it. If I worked the steps I would encounter that “spiritual moment” when it all made sense. What if things never make the same sense to you as others in the program? If you remain “spiritually bankrupt” within the program are you doomed to failure? There are certainly those in the program who think so and will try to force their version of spirituality down your throat.
When I was about 6 months into the program, one of the old timers pulled me aside. He said “Brian you really need to say you believe in god in the meetings“. I told him I was not comfortable with that as I was not sure how I felt on the subject. He said “Brian, it does not matter. You have to just say it so everyone else in the group will feel better about it and you” I was not sure if I was in a fluid recovery program or being indoctrinated into a cult. It was one of the most bizarre conversations I had ever engaged in. I never went back to that particular meeting. The forced spirituality of someone else’s agenda does not seem conducive to sobriety.
Almost two years later. I am sober and happy in my life. I still do not pray. I am still not a spiritual person. I frankly do not care at all about the 3rd step in the AA process because it is nothing that is personally relevant to me in my recovery. I realize that a support group is important in my recovery but for me to create some fictional “higher power” is counter-productive and only adds more stress to the process as it relates to my life. My program for recovery is to take the elements of AA that are personally relevant to my existence and work those steps. I refuse to view AA as a spiritual cookie cutter program trying to force all shapes and sizes of alcoholic problems into the inflexible square 12 Step peg hole. Many in AA will say that this dooms me to a life of drunkenness and debauchery. They are entitled to their opinion. I do not believe I need to find a “god as I understand him” to live a productive sober life. I do not need to “worship a doorknob“ to come into “compliance” with the AA way. If there is a god, I would think he/she embraces all manners and methods of recovery. It is sheer arrogance and cultism to assume otherwise. I agree with the last sentence of the Time Magazine article:
“…….those who think that spirituality or a pill alone can save them are wrong. The answer almost certainly lies deeper inside ourselves.”
Amen to that.
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February 4th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I went to my first meeting at 13 on and off over the years I would meet tons of "cool" people but I found that their friendships (LOVE) was totally conditional and if you didn't WORK the Program you were an outcast and shunned, I don't drink today because 1) I don't want to 2) I don't need to go to any meetings like that. 3 AA is a cult it's just a Positive one but I would caution people to NOT turn their will and life over to a bunch of snobs that play all kinds of head games with you. When you fail they have a million excuses why it wasn't AA or the group etc. Well I look forward to their convention here in 2010 San Antonio and still keep in touch with some as friends but we don't talk AA and I don't buy that submission type program. If a person is tired of something and they no longer want to pay the consequences they will stop
See you at the meeting LOL
AA saves millions of lives but the control and modern man ruined it for what it was originally intended
1 Clean HOUSE 2 Trust God 3 Help others. That is the whole program
I can do that on my own and don't need the clique's support etc
excellent post stirred alot of old thoughts
Stumbled thanks
February 5th, 2009 at 1:22 am
I would not call the 12 steps a spiritual solution just a practical one. They are, however, a useful roadmap and a means to recovery from alcoholism. The root of all addiction is a hole in the soul–whatever the substance or activity involved. Eventually, the spiritual emptiness has to be addressed but I agree with you that there are many ways to do it and there is no one size fits all method, and certainly no belief in God or doorknobs is required.
February 5th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
The fact that the judicial system recognizes the efficacy of AA is reason enough to agree that this wonderful organization is effective in changing the lives of millions around the world. These people, like me had a problem with alcohol and/or drug addiction like me. I've been in and out of AA for 26 years, and the truth is had it not been for the fellowship of AA, I wouldn't here writing this comment. I believe, there are degrees of alcoholism. Not every alcoholic, who drinks a beer goes on a bender of hopeless drunkeness. My experience is 19 of 20 times I don't get legally drunk when I drink. It is the 20th time, that I cannot guarantee how much or how long I will drink. That still qualifies me as an alcoholic. Those who cannot drink a beer without completing their alcoholic journey, are the ones who need a power outside themselves. My higher power is the Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour since April '61. I would like to discuss the dating process in the 21st century U. S. Now there are more single adults, than at any time in our history (I believe the figure is 60% plus! Why? There are more "helps" like dating services, social networks, and yet the majority of adults remain single! I found with 2 dating services in 1 1/2 years, a grand total of 2 dates! One of them resulted in no 2nd date. When facebook contacted her, she wrote back, "One date with you was enough! I don't want to know anything about you! We are from 2 different worlds!" Needless to say, I won't be wasting my time or money writing to these women who want to meet a wonderful person. I have 500 friends and fans, as a fast rising comic, who'll most agree, that I'm a very good person. Don't believe, come to my music and comedy blog, and tell me what I'm doing wrong! myspace.com/cerebralsam. Give me a clue, Please! Cerebral Sam, Cleveland and N E Ohio comic.
February 5th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Belief in a power greater that yourself is all that step one asks. The ONLY requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. KISS
February 5th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Welcome – you are a bit off on your analysis – you blog is limiting my post so here is a link. i hope you are open minded enogh to hear from another alcoholic, since i last read you blog a post has been removed.
here is my comments:
http://www.theprimarypurposegroup.com/briancuban….
February 6th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I tried AA and nearly made me drink myself to death. I was fortunate that I managed to leave in time and discovered harm reduction. I have devoted my life to teaching people about alcohol harm reduction through HAMS http://hamsnetwork.org
February 7th, 2009 at 5:13 am
AA is for weak minded fools.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Cuban, Its pretty simple you arrogant ass. The 11th tradition is meant to stop non-alcoholics like you from entering the program and printing stuff like this article contains.
"Almost two years later. I am sober and happy in my life. I still do not pray. I am still not a spiritual person."
What do you think happens when someone with a real obsession to control and enjoy their drinking reads stuff like that? You are not alcoholic, give it up. Please take Kenneth Andersen's suggestion and join HAMS.
I don't know why you feel you must state that you aren't spiritual, your arrogance and complete lack of consideration for what happens to alcoholics who read your blog make that completely obvious.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
As Karl Marx so famously wrote, "Religion is the opiate of the masses"… It is also an opiate for those in recovery. Just as an addiction to heroin can be traded for an addiction to morphine, so too can spirituality become a supplemental addiction for all sorts of dangerous behaviors… I once knew a former meth addict who swore that God saved him from his drug induced terror. This man was involved in The Local Church, which is thought by many to be a cult. From a sociological perspective, this man certainly behaved like a brainwashed drone, and displayed characteristics of being in a cult…. Now, I can tell you that I would never want to be involved in that group, and it is frightening to me to think of conforming to any group so much that I could not think for myself anymore… However…. If this man is still alive because he was brainwashed… physically healthy and happy because he was brainwashed…. then who am I to judge the recovery technique?? Just because it sounds strange to me doesn't mean it is wrong. Different things work for different people, and that's just the way it is. What a boring world it would be if people were not so strange and diverse. Thank goodness for the complexities of human nature
December 17th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I have known AA for 30 years now, and have been free of alcohol for over 22 years now. Im an engineer working in mobile telecomms and due to my academic formation I dont take things for granted; much less what I cant see or touch. What I have learned through my pre and post AA experience is that all alcoholics are not the same. I had many emotional problems, mostly based on fear, long BEFORE I started to drink and later use alcohol as an antidepressant and a false fear relief drug. Alcohol helped me go thru periods in my life, which I alone wouldnt have been able cope with them…panic attacks, ADD, shyness, fears, etc….until the remedy got worse than the malady. I had to stop drinking if I wanted to get back into life, family, productivity and health. (cont on next comment box due to length)
December 17th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
And yes, I left AA for last, as when I went to the first meeting in a South American city where I was living at that time, I didnt like the GOD talk and that only thru GOD and a SPIRITUAL expercience, would I be able not only to be free of alcohol and other corelated activities (not yet addictions per se) but also be able to cope with life….and I runned away as far as I could from that "cult". I couldnt stop drinking, went into hospitals, tried doctors, medicine, etc…nada..nothing. (cont)
December 17th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I was able to stop while in the hospital with no problem but the usual sweating, trembling and anxiety; but once I has back in the world trying to get my life -or better say- face my life…I was again drinking to calm down the fear, anguish, depression and the whole emotional drama that most true alcoholics know. OK finally I had to crawl back to the AA meetings and start going and talking (talk therapy) about my unresolved issues, divorce, childhood emotional pain, fears, and so on. And not only talking alone, but also sharing same experiences with others. What I started to notice, was that there were people that had problems ONLY when they drank, and if they didnt take a drink, the drunkness woudnt show up…BUT these guys and ladies were FUNCTIONAL in their daily life, if they didnt drink or had a bad hang over, plus going to bed at dawn, if having gone to bed at all. I started to see these people were problem drinkers and had a problem when they drank, couldnt stop and got drunk and had the usual problems.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
And then people like me, that had used alcohol as a drug to "cure" depression, fear, anxiety, low self esteem, etc…(in all, a very neurotic personality…very sensible -which is OK as long as you get the emotional component curbed down) I have done my own investigation in over 100 groups in several countries and its the same stroy…some dont need a higher power, as they dont have a personality problem WITHOUTH drinking.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
When they drink, they have the usual problems that come with erratic drunk behavior and if they drink once or trice a week, same situations will probably happen. Then loss of family, work, monye, problems with police and even accidental death. Others, like myself…have to go thru that "SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE" to be able to cope with the emptiness that comes from my own fearful thoughts and anticipation anxiety, impulsiveness and emotional reactions towards that anticipation or the guilt of the past, which I cant do nothing about it now, as well as the future, so I have to TRUST a higer power so I can stay focused in LIFE, TODAY, THE PRESENT, NOW..this very same moment, and not allow my mind (were my condition resides prior to the alcohol addiction) to roam all over, past and future…and not being able to remain in peace now.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
This also is the cause of ADD, which back in the 60´s when I was in school, no one really looked at that as a mental condition due to a very creative mind (right brained) and just narrowed to a discipline issue.I was able to stop while in the hospital with no problem but the usual sweating, trembling and anxiety; but once I has back in the world trying to get my life -or better say- face my life…I was again drinking to calm down the fear, anguish, depression and the whole emotional drama that most true alcoholics know.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
OK finally I had to crawl back to the AA meetings and start going and talking (talk therapy) about my unresolved issues, divorce, childhood emotional pain, fears, and so on. And not only talking alone, but also sharing same experiences with others.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
What I started to notice, was that there were people that had problems ONLY when they drank, and if they didnt take a drink, the drunkness woudnt show up…BUT these guys and ladies were FUNCTIONAL in their daily life, if they didnt drink or had a bad hang over, plus going to bed at dawn, if having gone to bed at all. I started to see these people were problem drinkers and had a problem when they drank, couldnt stop and got drunk and had the usual problems.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
And then people like me, that had used alcohol as a drug to "cure" depression, fear, anxiety, low self esteem, etc…(in all, a very neurotic personality…very sensible -which is OK as long as you get the emotional component curbed down) I have done my own investigation in over 100 groups in several countries and its the same stroy…some dont need a higher power, as they dont have a personality problem WITHOUTH drinking. When they drink, they have the usual problems that come with erratic drunk behavior and if they drink once or trice a week, same situations will probably happen.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Then loss of family, work, monye, problems with police and even accidental death. Others, like myself…have to go thru that "SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE" to be able to cope with the emptiness that comes from my own fearful thoughts and anticipation anxiety, impulsiveness and emotional reactions towards that anticipation or the guilt of the past, which I cant do nothing about it now, as well as the future, OK finally I had to crawl back to the AA meetings and start going and talking (talk therapy) about my unresolved issues, divorce, childhood emotional pain, fears, and so on. And not only talking alone, but also sharing same experiences with others.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
EXCUSE THE LENGTH….IT WAS A LONGER COMMENT, BUT I LOST THE REST IN MY PC RESET…
ANYHOW, THANKS FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION.
HAVE A GREAT AND PEACEFUL DAY….
MIGUEL E
(THE LAST PART LOST IN THE RESET, DEALT WITH ADD, BORDERLINE, HISTERIC AND NARCISIST PERSONALITY, WHICH IS VERY COMMON IN THE ALCOHOLIC AND NOT SO IN THE PROBLEM DRINKER…..WIILL TRY REWRITING IT LATER ON….) THANKS !