Trouble with drugs (including alcohol) or other potential addictions? Tried 12 step recovery and found it wanting? You're welcome here.
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Latest Activity: Dec 28, 2015
Started by Gwen Bailey. Last reply by Gerald Payne Nov 1, 2015. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by Misha H.. Last reply by Misha H. Jul 7, 2015. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Seth R.. Last reply by Misha H. Jul 6, 2015. 1 Reply 1 Like
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Reno, I wouldn't dare to suggest a tactic for you to adopt. I had a high sex drive for many years without the charm to get it sated. However, when I finally gave in to having my psychiatric problems treated (atypical OCD/depression) with SSRI medicins, the urge slowly faded. So I really don't know what to say. I still, after many years sober, feel the desire to drink but I counter that with all the bad memories of what the mornings after were like and of all the damage I did to others. That's about it. I wish there was more I could do for you. Have you any ideas yourself?
Have tried lots of therapy..it is an addiction, just like yours...a compulsion, a feeling of joy and elation when feeding it, but of misery when not.... and, it is becoming more common...I need help, and am an atheist... was hoping it was here
I really don't know, Reno. Is the sex drive different from the urge to use intoxicants? Have you tried any form of psychotherapy?
Is this group for me???? I am a struggling sex addict, and militant atheist, and not finding ANY secular help, anywhere..the 12 step groups say that they can help, just ignore the higher power part, but, when you go to the group, they wanna pray, pray for you, bless you, etc.... in need here
Thanks, Joe. There certainly are a lot of metaphors in twelve step world. I find a lot of good people and honesty, and a lot of nonsense, but I try to take it one metaphor at a time.
Hey Misha, you have that right - it's not just the theism in AA's twelve steps, it's also full of Judeo/Christian morality, too. The idea of powerlessness and insanity are contentious. Are these things true? It is for some and not for others. Is addiction a disease? NA talks about addiction the disease like it's a scientific fact; some AA's do, too, but for many, it's just a metaphor.
Blogs and podcasts from critics within AA:
http://rebelliondogspublishing.com
You might already know TheFix.com, it has some critical exposes about 12-Step modality and culture. Some are harsh fault-finding rants (but still entertaining) and others are more analytical.
AA and NA are evolving. There is more literature for and by atheists in recovery than every before. In 2010 there were two books, now there are a dozen good ones. Some like to rely on SMART, SOS, Sobriety for Women for their main recovery platform and complement that with AA meetings. If you live in an urban area there are so many groups and they're all different: six people, six-hundred, ritualistic with lots of readings and protocol, anything goes discussion groups, liberal meetings, conservative meetings, religious overtones, secular meetings. Some meetings invite critical discussion and others are more evangelical.
I say meetings/groups are like bars; some of them make you feel totally uncomfortable and you can't wait to get out, some make you feel right at home, right away and still others take some getting use to.
I am interested in critiques of 12 step work, not only based on the god/higher power terminology, but the religious structures built into the process - sin, confession, etc. Anyone know of anyone who has written about that? To me, while I appreciate meetings and such, my issues with the steps themselves can't be resolved by secularizing the vocabulary.
Durker, I don't know if KC is driving distance for you:
http://www.agnosticaanyc.org/worldwide.html
That's a worldwide site of A.A. meetings for atheists & agnostics, no praying, no god-talk, just peer to peer help. there are several Facebook and Google and Yahoo groups for freethinkers, secular humanists, atheists, et al. more links can be found here:
http://rebelliondogspublishing.com/rebel-links
there are now several books writing by nonbelievers about getting sober and clean with or without 12 Steps.
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