| I would like to begin this paragraph by crowning the | | | | underlying emotional scars caused by family |
| opening introductory statement of the Twelve-Step | | | | dysfunction and, in many cases these emotional scars |
| Program format. Repeat after me; my name is blank | | | | will leave most individuals with a very low level of self |
| and I am an addict! Now, let me ask you a question; | | | | esteem. Therefore, admitting that you are powerless |
| how did it make you feel to say that? Well, I can tell | | | | and full of shortcomings will only deepen the wounds |
| you that it made me feel inadequate, guilt ridden and | | | | or cause a person to choose a different mask or |
| shameful, and I have never even had an addiction!!!! | | | | vehicle. |
| However, if you choose to participate in this program | | | | You know, people that have been habitually using |
| you may as well get use to it, because you will be | | | | drugs or alcohol are already full of shame and guilt |
| asked to repeat this statement multiple times at | | | | and they certainly don't need anyone to disempower |
| each and every meeting!!! You see, I have personally | | | | them even further than they already are. People are |
| attended and participated in 12 step meetings and I | | | | not alcoholics or addicts for life, and they are not |
| found it to be one of the most disempowering things | | | | only one drink or one use away from a relapse. We |
| I have ever done. | | | | are all people and we are all souls, which by the way |
| The Twelve-Step Program is based on the original | | | | makes us all connected, and it also makes us all |
| Alcoholics Anonymous program, which was | | | | children of God. No one is an alcoholic or an addict, |
| developed by the Oxford Group. The program | | | | and no one should be labeled as such. Addiction is |
| structure consists of weekly meetings that revolve | | | | merely a choice not a life long ball and chain that |
| around teaching an understanding and application of | | | | individuals should drag around with them. |
| the twelve individual steps. Discussion groups are also | | | | One, positive thing about this program is that it does |
| utilized in conjunction with the regular twelve step | | | | teach the step of a spiritual awakening and leading a |
| group, to give members opportunities to discuss | | | | life of service to our fellow man, and that is without |
| issues that are preventing them from moving | | | | a doubt what makes it more successful than the |
| forward with the twelve step process. I have | | | | other treatment options. However, the twelve step |
| participated in several discussion groups and have | | | | program was founded on Christian principles and is a |
| made the following observation; it would seem that | | | | religious based program by nature, which sometimes |
| these sessions are nothing more than merely group | | | | causes a skewed perception of spirituality. The |
| venting session for members, since comments or | | | | definition of spirituality is; related or being joined in |
| advice from others is strictly prohibited. I have | | | | spirit. So, spirituality requires the personal connection |
| concluded that many of the same members | | | | or joining with God. This can only be accomplished by |
| attended these discussion groups week after week | | | | achieving a higher state of consciousness through |
| and continue to relive the same issue over and over | | | | meditation, self reflection or deep prayer. You can |
| without being armed with the knowledge of how to | | | | not achieve a joining of spirit with God by becoming |
| address or confront it.I believe this causes the | | | | consumed by religious doctrines, although this is what |
| individual to get stuck in his or her emotional wounds | | | | happens in many of these programs. Hiding behind a |
| and contract what I like to call wounditis. Combine | | | | religious doctrine to remove the pain is the equivalent |
| this with the disempowerment of labeling someone | | | | of trading one mask for another and a recipe for |
| as an addict and you have a recipe for a self esteem | | | | chronic relapse. Recovery requires self reflection, |
| disaster. | | | | spiritual growth and the courage to confront the root |
| This treatment program asks a person to admit that | | | | cause of ones addiction. Quite frankly, it is impossible |
| they are powerless over their addiction and to ask | | | | to achieve spiritual growth when wallowing in your |
| God to remove their shortcomings and defects of | | | | wounds, sharing that commonality with a group and |
| character, while wallowing in shame and guilt. I don't | | | | hiding behind a religious doctrine. |
| believe that God wants us to feel powerless. Quite | | | | Best wishes, |
| the contrary, God has given us all the power we | | | | David Roppo |
| need to change anything that we desire to. After all, | | | | Addiction Recovery Coach |
| we are made in God's image. | | | | For more information on how to overcome addiction |
| The root cause of addiction is the need to mask | | | | subscribe to my free E-guide....... |
