In AA Social Support is More Important Than a Higher Power
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step groups (e.g., Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, etc.) suggest that to recover from addiction you must accept that you are powerless to recover on your own. Only with inspiration from a higher power, recognition of your character defects, and fellowship in the group, among other steps, will you […]
Are Non-12-Step Recovery Approaches Effective?
There are many effective alternatives to the 12-step addiction recovery approach. This article will describe the major treatments and support groups that one might choose if interested in and answer the question: are non-12-step recovery approaches effective? These alternatives need to be widely known because individuals who might never attend an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting […]
Choices in Addiction Treatment and Recovery
Should individuals who need help have choices when it comes to treatment and recovery from addiction? Imagine talking to your child or partner, who is obviously drinking or drugging too much. “Why don’t you get it? It’s SO obvious! You are becoming addicted! Look at the damage you are causing, to yourself, to me, and […]
Debunking the Myth about AA
The primary myth about AA is that “it is the only thing that works.” Of course, like other myths, there is some truth in this one. Many people assert that AA saved them or others they know well from alcohol problems. They may be correct. However, no one knows. From a scientific perspective, the effectiveness […]
Self-empowering vs. Powerless Recovery
Debunking the myth about AA Should people who need addiction recovery have choices? Are non-12-step recovery approaches effective? Why choose a non-12-step recovery approach? In AA social support is more important than a higher power Treating psychiatric and addiction comorbidity with a cognitive-behavioral (non-12-step) approach Leading edge psychotherapy: The psychotherapy team
Quality Time vs. Quantity Time
Parents want to have “a great time” with their kids. Realistically, however, how many “Kodak moments” are likely to occur? Wonderful moments or encounters don’t happen daily, and maybe not even weekly. More importantly, these moments can’t be scheduled. They happen when they happen. There is a simple guideline for increasing the number of wonderful […]
Parenting 101: 28 Tips for Being a Better Parent
Even if you have been away from your children because of reasons related to your addiction, your kids are probably not far from your mind. In early recovery, it is important to focus on yourself long enough to build a solid foundation for change (however long that takes will vary from person to person). Once […]
Self-Empowering Recovery Groups for Support
Although Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step groups are far more widely known, there are other addiction support groups worth knowing about. They are listed here in approximate order of size and influence. All of the self-empowering recovery groups support abstinence, with Moderation Management supporting both abstinence and moderation with alcohol. SMART Recovery: Self-Management And […]
Biopsychosocial Model of Recovery Groups
Science has revealed that addiction is far more complex than we formerly thought. As a result, professionals and individuals in recovery have changed their language about addiction and recovery. Addiction is now described as a complex problem, and recovery is described as having biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. This “biopsychosocial” model of recovery groups […]
Balancing Individual and Community Needs in Addiction
A well-functioning family, community or society needs to have a balance between self-interested behavior, and altruistic or service behavior. If every member of a group pays attention only to his or her own immediate needs, life becomes very difficult quickly. For instance, a hunter-gatherer group that could effectively cooperate to hunt large animals would have more […]