08/27/2019
Secular Recovery
In the Beginning
Lets just say that historically folks with substance use problems were expected to go insane and die early. Aside from chalking it up to moral deficiencies and hoping for miraculous conversion, not much else was done. Early efforts at intervening were institutionalization or religious in nature, and usually an all or nothing outcome.
The emergence of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 was the catalyst of the modern approach to treating substance use disorders. The interesting story of how AA evolved from the Evangelical Christian Oxford Group is worth looking at if you’re into the history of these sorts of things.
The men generally regarded as the Founders of AA (Bill Wilson and Bob Smith) were vehement about the non-religious nature of AA, and a spirituality vs religion debate continues to be a hot topic at meetings and treatment centers to this day.
Bill and Bob are known to have drawn influence from Jungian Psychiatry and metaphysician Emmett Fox (among others), but the fundamental ideas of the Oxford Group remain at the core. Testimonials by lay people, admission of wrongdoing (sin) , accountability for actions and ultimately awakening (redemption?) are credited with relieving untold numbers of human suffering.
These principles are used in Halfway houses, in custody programs, and myriads of community based (religious and non- religious) organizations all over the world. This is known as the original “social model” of treatment.
How it Works (But Sometimes Doesn’t)
AA and NA work. They’ve got numbers that support it, and it’s been around for years.
By providing a framework with built in replacement for substance use, accountability to a community, opportunities to reinforce new behaviors and a sense of purpose; 12-step programs are a recipe for success.
But what if it’s not for everyone?
Sometimes it’s the (not so) faint echoes of sin and redemption. Maybe people aren’t into the “social thing”. Perhaps it’s a logical disagreement with a rigid idea. More than likely, it’s that addiction is a highly personal experience and a 12-step approach simply isn’t right for everyone.
Consider that AA is a closed feedback loop, and its definitions of successes are narrowly defined. Discussing personal experiences in public is a requirement and can easily re-traumatize people. People in AA are generally well meaning, but they are not professionals. The list goes on.
There are pro’s and cons, so iIt’s not a reason to discount it completely, but it needs to be said that it is not what anyone would call an “individualized” approach.
Mike
Mike knew he had a drinking problem. That was obvious. He’d been going to AA on and off for years, sometimes it helped, but mostly it didn’t. He knew he was splitting hairs over minor points about the God thing, but shouldn’t there be some give and take, or at least agree to disagree?
Mike was a smart guy with a tendency to overanalyze things. This was a good trait to have at his job where problem solving and deductive reasoning were thought well of. However, it made him think of AA as overly dogmatic and unappealing to his sense of how things worked. He continued begrudgingly, but never felt that he was “all in”
BRIDGING THE GAP
Leaving God Out of It
Is it possible to bring the personalized self reflection of 12-step together with a sound science based practice minus all the talk about a higher Power?
Yes. It’s completely up to you.
Spirituality is a deeply personal subject and you can incorporate it into your life as you see fit. I was actively involved with AA for many years, but ultimately felt constrained by some of its concepts. It was easier to detach from it explore other ideas.
Mike ultimately sought out private counseling and was grateful to feel heard about his take on 12-step principles. He has been sober for a number years now and feels this is a result of what he learned in AA, plus applying cognitive behavioral techniques with his counselor. He has his own beliefs about god, but holds them as deeply personal.
Mike benefitted from working with someone who had a working knowledge of both programs and, more importantly, the ability to help Mike create a truly personalized experience. His counselor knew enough about AA to validate Mikes experience without trying to “convert” him and the clinical skill to help Mike change some behavior patterns that were frustrating his recovery efforts.
Make sure that whoever you work with has the ability to be flexible to work towards the goal you want.
