By Steve K. The picture of the alcoholic personality in the book Alcoholics Anonymous (aka, the Big Book) is generally portrayed as selfish and self-centred (pages 60-62, 3rd edition). The ego is often demonised in spiritual literature and traditions and is even considered illusory within Buddhism. Religious and spiritual traditions often suggest a mixed message […]
By Steve K. This reflection on the subject of transformation through suffering, adversity, loss, or trauma is particularly pertinent to those who’ve suffered from histories of addiction. People in recovery from addiction have often lived through traumatic experiences and many also suffer with co-occurring health problems. Despite these hardships, their recovery often brings about dramatic […]
By Steve K. An important part of the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that offers hope to those seeking recovery from addiction is the passage in relation to Step Nine, commonly referred to as the ‘Promises’. (1) There are Twelve promises relating to Step Nine. Twelve being a favourite number in relation to AA principles […]
By Steve K. Upon attending my very first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), I left with a real sense of hope that I could stop drinking alcohol and develop a better, more meaningful life. I sat in a room full of people who shared their various experiences of addiction to alcohol and how they had […]
By Steve K. The medical view of addiction suggests it’s a chronic and progressive ‘brain disease’ which requires treatment. In using the term chronic, I mean long-term and incurable. “Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry.” American Society of Addiction Medicine. (1) This view is supported by Alcoholics Anonymous […]
By Steve K. Human Beings are complex and the nature of our minds and behaviour is in many respects still mysterious despite all the resources of 21st century science. Although much has been learned by modern science about addiction, it’s still a controversial topic among many experts in the field. For example, brain disease vs […]
By Steve K. Emotional Sobriety: a combination of ’emotional balance’, ’emotional autonomy’, and ’emotional maturity’. Definition of emotional sobriety by Dr Allen Berger: “Emotional sobriety is a mental state in which we know longer react to our changing emotions as though they were the governing facts of our lives. This mental state is made possible […]
By Steve K. My reply to this question is that the philosophy and culture of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is replete with cognitive-behavioural interventions and effectively operates as a form of CBT and peer support system. AA and other 12 Step fellowships are also influenced by medical, philosophical, and spiritual ideas and principles. The psychologist Clifford […]
By Steve K. Some critics of the 12 Step approach within the field of addiction ask this question and view the practice of taking a moral inventory as part of a recovery program as invalid and unscientific in relation to addiction treatment. In my opinion, this viewpoint seems to be based upon a narrow understanding […]
By Steve K. As someone who makes efforts to support others who suffer from addictive behaviours, I’m generally open to the various modalities and mutual-aid organisations that exist for this purpose. As well as attending 12 Step groups over a long period of time, I’ve also taken part in and helped facilitate other types of […]
12-STEP PHILOSOPHY 