2007-08-26 11:07:22 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
When did Penn and Teller become experts on treating addiction. It certainly will not work on those who do not have a belief that anything outside of themselves is powerful. It does not work for those who think they do not have a problem. It does not work for those who want to continue using. It does not work for those think they can do it all on their own. It does not work for those who do not want to make changes in all areas of their life. AA is a cognitive behavioral approach. CBT is frequently used to treat addiction. As for a cult, dude you need to look up the word. There is no coersion in AA just people who want to help others. Valley Violet is wrong. It does not take away personal responsibility at all. As far as ordering people to AA, we order people to go to school. They learn if they want to. We order people to anger management classes. They learn if they want to. I do not see the difference.
2007-08-26 14:15:09 · answer #1 · answered by TAT 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I saw the show on Penn and Teller and agree with their findings. I am particularly troubled that many people are court ordered to attend meetings. I have heard people say that it is a great place to find out where to score if one is into drugs. Don't get me wrong. I have talked to people who got much out of it and attributed being drug/free and alcohol/free. I believe people are multidimensional and have strengths in places. I do not like the idea that people are told that they are so inept so inept that they have to surrender themselves to a higher power. This takes away personal accountability and forces people into a quasi religion. I am Catholic, but do not feel it is necessary to force people to profess a belief in a higher power that they might not necessarily believe in. Labeling people is another thing I do not believe in. Alcoholism and other addictions are dehumanizing and dangerous, but they are not the sum total of what a person is. In a way constantly pronouncing one of these identities could become a self-fulfilling prophesy. I believe that people who have addictions need the help of professional counselors as well as good support systems at home and at work. Again I wish to emphasize, voluntary participation in a 12 step program has been effective for some individuals. But the effectiveness has not been proven or endorsed scientifically.
2007-08-26 13:24:20 · answer #2 · answered by ValleyViolet 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only program that I have seen work is AA. A 12 step program is one anyone can start alot of rehabs try to do it , but unless it involves recovered people it fails. AA has been around for years, and it works for those who have failed other treatments, it's principles are simple, don't use, go to meetings , stay in touch with your sponsor.
It is free and anyone can join , as long as you have the desire to quit. Keep in mind, that to recover you have too truly want to be drug free and sober. If you have not reached that bottom , you will continue to use.
AA is truly a great tool to those who need it.
2007-08-26 22:42:56 · answer #3 · answered by ladyhawk8141 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Effective for very few.
I refer you to Penn & Teller's show Bullsh*t. The did a great piece on AA.
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0346369/
2007-08-26 11:18:22 · answer #4 · answered by hypno_toad1 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You only get out of it what you put into it. If you don't want to quit then there is nothing in the world that can make you do it.
2007-08-26 11:14:53 · answer #5 · answered by binaryloop 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋