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Re: Non-12 Step

Posted by AuntieMel on November 4, 2005, at 12:48:14

In reply to Re: Non-12 Step » AuntieMel, posted by alexandra_k on November 3, 2005, at 16:23:36

Mind you, I'm not a blind AA follower, but....

"The government does force people to AA / NA treatment programs BY LAW. Does the government pay for the person to attend by any chance?"

AA/NA do not cost a nickel. Most people donate $1.00 at meetings they attend, but it isn't required. I've seen many people not donate.

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"What are the success rates? I've heard the relapse rates for people relapsing 6 months, 1 year, 5 years etc after AA / NA attendance. They are staggeringly high."

Yes, they are. Relapse for other programs are equally high. I've heard that about 2% 'make it' through the first year, but my experience has been better than that. Meaning of the people who started around when I did, more than 2% made it that long.

But according to my psychiatrist, the 12 step programs have the highest percentage.

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"But you still have the steps. You still have the stated mission and so on and so forth. It is that stuff that I'm objecting to."

Again, it largely depends on the group. At the group I went to the guy that usually led the meetings said "you're here. That means the first 3 steps are done."

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"How did you go with confessing your sins to your higher power? Did that variety of higher power make it tricky to do some of the later steps?"

There is no time frame on the steps, and they don't have to be done in order. I've done some, and not others.

One of the sayings at the group - "take what you need and leave the rest" - I took to heart...

So, I didn't 'confess' my 'sins,' but I did take a good look at them.

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"The message they say you HAVE TO GET (otherwise you will die of your disease - yes they say this) is that you are powerless and your higher power will save you."

I do believe you have to get the powerlessness thing first. Meaning you have to admit that, by yourself, you can't stop.

And I *do* believe that if you are an addict, you do have to quit or you will die.

Do you have to "stay quit?" I don't know. I'm a bit nervous to test that one yet.

Higher power? It can be your own soul.


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"Sorry - what isn't your fault?
Did someone chain you to a chair and force your drug of choice down your throat or up your arm or whatever?

I agree that it isn't your fault that you jolly well LOVE whatever it is... I agree that your behaviour is UNDERSTANDABLE given your pain etc etc. But one does need to take responsibility... And that is ultimately what helped me to progress... Not accepting powerlessness but taking responsibility. IMO there is a difference...

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Maybe.

Yes, you do have the choice.

But it isn't your fault that you have the physiological makeup to become an addict. That is the part that you are powerless over. You aren't powerless over your behavior, just the fact that it's so damn hard to change it. And that you have physical as well as mental cravings.


 

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poster:AuntieMel thread:573995
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20050914/msgs/575368.html