So I don't agree with all the points made in this video and I also see a high value in group therapy, but I would like to share in the name of awareness and harm reduction. AA and other 12 step programs have helped a lot of people but there are some inherent risks to having unsupervised self-help groups, sometimes attendance required by law.
The video has a lot of negative AA sentiments, which I'd like to look past and focus on the abuse and protection aspect. Although some of the critiques are valid, similar ones could be made about nearly all recovery programs. However, one risk that seems unique to self-governed 12 step groups is the sexual predation that I've heard reported from multiple unrelated sources now. As a 29 year old male, most of these risks never really occurred to me before. Although I don't actively attend 12 step myself, I have casually referred other people to them and hear doctors and other professionals referring people all the time.
I do not believe this makes AA/12 step evil, bad, etc. It is something that needs to be talked about and addressed though.
I'd prefer to keep the conversation focused on manipulation, predation and abuse within AA/NA/12 step groups rather than just a critique of them in general.
The video has a lot of negative AA sentiments, which I'd like to look past and focus on the abuse and protection aspect. Although some of the critiques are valid, similar ones could be made about nearly all recovery programs. However, one risk that seems unique to self-governed 12 step groups is the sexual predation that I've heard reported from multiple unrelated sources now. As a 29 year old male, most of these risks never really occurred to me before. Although I don't actively attend 12 step myself, I have casually referred other people to them and hear doctors and other professionals referring people all the time.
I do not believe this makes AA/12 step evil, bad, etc. It is something that needs to be talked about and addressed though.
I'd prefer to keep the conversation focused on manipulation, predation and abuse within AA/NA/12 step groups rather than just a critique of them in general.