Comments on: The Myth of Powerlessness and Disease

By: Mary Ellen and Ed

Mary Ellen and Ed — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:41:45 +0000

Thank you, Bryon,

It’s a point well taken, and if every facility operated on your basis the piece would be unnecessary. However, 97+% of all facilities operate on a “powerless” model which is, at best, marginally effective for less than 15% of their clients. Simply because you, and we, operate on an actual matching model doen’t change the underlying problems of treatment generally.

Nor does it change the public’s preception that the AA/12-Step model is somehow more than it is: a route for about 4% of the men who try it, and 2% of the women.

By: Bryon Sabatino

Bryon Sabatino — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:17:56 +0000

As a specialist in the treatment of substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, I am pro choice. I honor all models of recovery and simply make sure that the model and the client are a good fit. We don’t have to argue over who’s right and who’s wrong. Our jobs as therapists are to meet the client where they are and to skillfully work with them from there. I find when I do that, there is no controvercy, even within the context of group therapy.

By: kERI

kERI — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:45:44 +0000

Very good piece of info that needed to be shared. Anyone can do anything if they set their mind to it. It takes work and will power. I totally believe that we do have the power to control some things in our life and make it better. thanks for the great article

By: Steven

Steven — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:05:57 +0000

I think I agree with u on AA. I actually had to get into therapy to kick the habit as I kept returning to it with every attempt at deaddiction through AA. This was exactly what I was advised. I realised I was in control of everything in my life. It took a lot of grit, family support and a great therapist but I’ve been clean 2 years now.

By: Mary Ellen and Ed

Mary Ellen and Ed — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:48:23 +0000

Perhaps, but it helps if the coin isn’t a wooden nickle…

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:21:15 +0000

I think there are 2 sides 2 every coin.

By: Mary Ellen & Ed

Mary Ellen & Ed — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:06:38 +0000

We understand that, both personally and professionally – though the point at which change occurs varies dramatically from one person to another as do the routes back to health. We have never had 2 clients whose “after alcohol life” has matched another’s, though the real underlying problems – loneliness, boredom, anxiety, fear, etc. – are frequently similar.

Congratulations on finding your way to a good life!

By: Dot

Dot — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:57:20 +0000

it is difficult to imagine but I was once the raging alcoholic and I can tell you from my own experience that until I was ready deep down inside to make the changes that I needed to make to control my addiction then there was no program in the world that was going to save me.

By: Mary Ellen and Ed

Mary Ellen and Ed — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:29:35 +0000

We agree that there are people whom AA has helped. However, there are also those whom AA has harmed and those who have been grossly misled.

If the treatment industry AA has spawned was willing to say, “With our AA 12-Step philosophy, we offer you the possibility of success at 4% for men and 2% for women,” then we would be happy to include them among resources to try. But of course they don’t.

It’s good to remember that those “going to AA” have a lower rate of maintaining abstinence (5%). Frankly, the research shows that AA has prevented more people from getting sober than it’s helped. Indeed, most people who begin attending AA actually increase their alcohol consumption.

Again – our aim to to provide individuals with accurate information, which, in the treatment industry is virtually nonexistent. Why would you want us to continue to perpetuate the false concepts that harm those seeking help or relief from alcohol abuse?

By: Jean W

Jean W — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:41:59 +0000

But for those it has worked for I find it a little dismissive to say that it perpetuates the powerless myth. Can’t we just agree that different approaches work for different people and that there are people out there that AA gives credible support to? I do not think that it is the right program for every single alcoholic out there- nothing ever is. But it has been around for a long time now, and I would have to think that much of that longevity is because of the help that it has offered to so many in their times of desperation and need. My brother relapsed many times before getting sober for good. And maybe you are right- maybe AA was not the cure all. But it helped him at the right time when he needed it and for that he and my whole family are grateful.

By: Mary Ellen and Ed

Mary Ellen and Ed — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:05:49 +0000

It’s hardly “bashing” to report the actual research – perhaps you’re right in you’re brother’s case, an maybe you’re not. He’s sober, it doesn’t matter to him. But it does matter when myths – and both the “powerless” and “disease” concepts are proven myths – prevent others from getting over their alcohol abuse because they’ve been misinformed.

Let’s remember, AA “works” for about 3% of the men who try it, and less than 2% of women. That’s hardly a success in anyone’s book.

By: Jean W

Jean W — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:14:36 +0000

What’s up with all of the AA bashing? My brother would have never stopped drinking and stayed sober without it.

By: Lars

Lars — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:59:31 +0000

I find it fascinating that AA seems to be the only route that many people try to take when overcoming a drug or alcohol problem. It is almost like the creators want you to fail at it so they can constantly tell you that this is a disease, it is progressive and that you need tham to hold your hand for the rest of your life to help you find your way out of the darkness of addiction. Why not church? Why not faith or friends? Like Carla I think that many things like this when done in as much earnest as some give to their AA participation could be very useful in helping them to overcome their fears and turn their lives into a success.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:51:20 +0000

My son is fighting drugs and alcohol abuse. This article made me realise why he doesnt seem to knock it off for good. It’s sad that conventional therapy has never targetted the confidence level of an addict. The cure has to come from self motivation.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:46:57 +0000

I think this article made a lot more sense than any advice on dealing with alcoholism. It’s so true that we are conscious and in control of everything that happens in our life unless we suffer from a debilitating illness. Bad habits are just that. Habits can be broken with determination, change of environment and social set up if necessary.

By: Mary Ellen and Ed

Mary Ellen and Ed — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:38:12 +0000

Thank you so much for your comments, and you are correct, it is largely a scam perpetrated by the treatment “industry” which relies on on recycling clients time after time after time until there isn’t another dime to be squeezed out of them – then blaming the client for “not working their program.”

I have not forgotten being terminated 25 years ago from a still famous and operating MN residential program at the end of my probationary year because my clients weren’t relapsing! I was proud of my 60+% success rate and was told that anything over 10% was unacceptable.

Unhappily that hasn’t changed – it’s actually gotten worse with the target now more like less than 5% “success.”

So, congratulations on finding your way out of the traps! And back to life.

By: Carla

Carla — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:58:34 +0000

Thanks so much for this informative article. It is thoughts like these that I have been thinking for years but never have the guts to say aloud because all of the avid 12 steppers are sure to shoot you down. I have been thru a 12 step program, not for alcohol but for another addiction, and I swear these programs are like moving from one sick coping mecahnism to another. They make you feel like this is the only way to heal and get strong, whereas my experience gave a whole different perspective on the issue. The 12 step program actually wore me down because it made me come to believe that I was powerless to do anything about it without them behind me. That is simply not true. I found so much love kindness and support from my friends family and my faith that I found more success after I actually stopped going to the meetings and began focusing more on the things and the people that I loved the most. It may work for some but I think that overall it is just a scam to keep you on your painful cycle and no closer to recovery.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:07:00 +0000

I am not powerless over anything. When I set my mind to it I know I can do what needs to be done in order to be a success. Alcoholism is a problem but not one that cannot be overcome. It is the 12 step programs that perpetuate this powerless issue not great blogs like yours. Keep up the great work!