I can't bear the 12 step bullshit and that's what it is, even if it works for some people. It isn't a clinical method, it was started by Christians although they have of course become open to people of all different belief systems. But my experience with AA was terrible - I was shunned for lapsing and having a drink and this made me feel like drinking was better than hanging around those people and listening to their stories again and again.
The whole thing has this underlying aura of self-pity and shame which others have mentioned and I find that counterproductive in terms of recovery. I got the feeling also that this was like a little circle jerk community for people to whinge and moan and enjoy the sympathy. It wasn't for me, I don't pity myself or at least don't want to and don't find it effective in terms of going clean. Quite the opposite in fact.
Around the time I gave it a try, I asked the psychiatrist I saw what his professional opinion of AA/NA was and he referred to them as a "benign cult". I know exactly what he means and this is how I view them.
They may "work for some" as so many say but the same can be said for Christianity or any religion or belief system which gives answers to questions that are difficult. But think about Christianity and the "gay conversion therapy" nastiness that has led to so much misery. I've known some closeted Christians and I am sure that AA/NA acts in a similar way for drug users in that they desperately cling onto their big book and have to call their sponsor or pastor whenever those "feelings" arrive. But I do believe that some are there for company, to make friends and some just to get off on some sympathy and a pat on the back. Some just loved telling their stories too, again and again, the same stories.
How can anyone find this effective at the clinical level which is where addiction needs to be addressed? Yet doctors are always giving out leaflets with information on local meetings (circle jerks). My theory is that this is due to a) a lack of willing on behalf of medical practitioners to address addiction as a health/public health issue, as well as a lack of resources b) not understanding the issue, ignorance in other words and 3) a mixture of these things and simply not giving a fuck about patients in some cases. Just send them off to AA or NA - too much paperwork. They brought it upon themselves anyway. Plenty of doctors think like that.
I saw someone put it highly succinctly once specifically with regards to alcoholism, to paraphrase: alcoholism requires medical attention, not divine intervention.
In the UK at least there is 'SMART Recovery'. I haven't used it but they use an actual clinical method within the group setting, using cognitive behavioural therapy techniques instead of the 12 step nonsense. I don't like sitting around in groups unless it is a real circle jerk but I do like the fact that this is clinically based at least.
I short, AA/NA are cults and can potentially do more harm than good and have been used by the medical community to pass off responsibility for addiction treatment to a non-profit or charity or whatever, like they do with pretty much everything.
From a harm reduction point of view, I would recommend against the 12 step circle jerk cults.
