2007-03-19 04:13:07 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
as ridiculous as the notion is, the addictions are a *****. Sigh, yes, yes, I would rather have a southern baptist than an alcoholic in the 'hood. Do what works. Ultimately when I quit cigarettes it was some gingivitis and cold turkey that did it but that doesn't mean I didn't *try* the patches or zyban and I'd certainly recommend them both.
2007-03-19 04:17:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
AA and NA don't call upon 'magical forces, ghosts or spirits' to 'cure people of addictions' ... but they do have a 'line' in what they believe that talks about 'a greater power' than themselves. This 'greater power' could be God, or just 'the human will to get better and be healthy' and is stated in this 'very open' way so that anyone can benefit from AA or NA if they are 'addicted' to alcohol or drugs.
Both AA and NA are very good organizations that help many more people than any other 'rehab' or 'program' ... but the can't help EVERYONE EVERY TIME, because the 'first step' to becoming 'addicted' but wanting to 'stop the bad behavior' is to be able to say 'I am an alcoholic' or 'I am an addict.' THAT is the truly 'most important part' of what AA and NA do. If you are 'addicted' to either drugs and alcohol, and haven't gone to a 'meeting' because you mistakenly thought they called on 'magical forces' and you are an 'atheist' or even an 'agnostic' then you should know that you can 'go' to a meeting and just 'sit in the back and listen' until you are comfortable and 'ready to speak' to someone about your problem. EVERYONE THERE has been 'where you are now' and will understand ... so go ahead and 'go' to a meeting, because today is the FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
2007-03-19 11:35:42 · answer #2 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
AA and NA do not rely upon "magical forces", ghosts, or spirits to "Cure" people of addictions. The members of AA and NA are never truly cured, we deal with our illnesses every day, but we ask a God of our understanding to help us with our lives and work with another member to keep us sober. AA and NA are not magical, it is a lot of work, honesty, and self seeking.
2007-03-19 14:24:35 · answer #3 · answered by racehorsegirl83 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do believe you've quoted this wrong. They call upon a Higher Power. In the beginnings of AA, it was God, the Almighty, the biblical god. But, not to drive anyone away because they may not share this believe, they now call it a Higher Power, accepting the fact, that on their own accord, they are powerless and cannot overcome addictions and the problems they cause by themselves.
2007-03-19 11:19:25 · answer #4 · answered by VW 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
um, they dont. AA and NA are self - help organizations. it is a support group but nobody is successful who relies on an outside source to get clean/sober for them. we emphasize having a 'higher power' from which to find strength, but nowhere does it say what that higher power is. its an individual thing. your higher power can be God, Jehovah, or the group as a collective whole. anything stronger than yourself qualifies as a higher power. and every addict knows that you are never 'cured' you will always have the disease of addiction. staying clean and sober is simply the only way to overcome it and live successfully. theres nothing magical about staying clean, its a concious descision and constant effort.
i like how the majority of answerers have never been to AA or read any of the literature. and i especially like how the asker of this question has a preconceived biased account of the fundamentals of addiction. the AA and NA programs works if you want it to, no matter where you get your strength from.
2007-03-19 11:17:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I used to go to AA meetings...waste of time. There were no magical forces or ghosts. I still have my addiction to prove it. Peace.
2007-03-19 11:19:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because they are based in theology, not science, which is why they are inherantly flawed as therapy for disorders that are chemical, not religious.
That, and the fact that considering yourself sick and never curable leads to the very behaviors they proclaim they prevent- it's called learned helplessness, folks.
2007-03-19 11:18:26 · answer #7 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I assume you mean the 'higher power' ...and that is a very subjective thing, it could mean a number of things to a number of people, and not necessarily a ghost or spirit.
2007-03-19 11:18:00 · answer #8 · answered by Shelly 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because the ghost spirits have the power to banish all afflictions!
2007-03-19 11:16:57 · answer #9 · answered by Barrett G 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is also an agnostic group within the AA now.
2007-03-19 11:16:43 · answer #10 · answered by MoPleasure4U 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋