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Author Topic:   The philosophy behind The Twelve Steps
JustinC
Member (Idle past 4843 days)
Posts: 624
From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Joined: 07-21-2003


Message 12 of 108 (399739)
05-07-2007 5:38 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by berberry
05-07-2007 3:15 PM


quote:
Call it God-as-placebo, which is exactly the way it looks to me, but for some people I think the 12-step approach is probaby the best.
I believe this is probably the case. For alot of people who are having trouble controlling their addictive behavior, it may be best to project their own internal power onto something they call God. They rationalize their new approach by saying to themselves, "I tried myself for several years to quit and couldn't. This time will be different since I petitioning a higher power to help." Just thinking you are getting extra help from a higher power helps.
Of course, a requisite for this to be beneficial is that you actually believe in a higher power.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 7 by berberry, posted 05-07-2007 3:15 PM berberry has not replied

  
JustinC
Member (Idle past 4843 days)
Posts: 624
From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Joined: 07-21-2003


Message 34 of 108 (400141)
05-10-2007 5:00 PM
Reply to: Message 30 by nator
05-09-2007 8:28 PM


Re: Maybe this is why
quote:
Maybe the reason people like the "I am powerless over my addiction" thing is because it ultimately translates to "I am not really responsible if I fuck up."
In all fairness those two statements aren't equivalent at all. People admit they chose to start an addictive habit or drug, but it comes to a point where they are really powerless and need help.
[EDIT] Powerless is such a vague term that I think it needs to be qualified a bit. Addiction is the result of neurophysiology and cognitive patterns, as well as environmental triggers that induce 'cravings'. In this sense, when one admits they are powerless they should really say they are powerless over their addiction in the context of their present situation, i.e., if they maintain their lifestyle they are powerless their behavior.
Their entire psyche and neurophysiology is so abnormal that to call their continual use an act they have power over is really a stretch. The addiction begins to control them, not vice versa. This point may be hard to convey unless you've ever been addictive to a powerful narcotic or stimulant that directly effects your mesolimbic dopamine system (opiates and cocaine for example).
I'm not implying that higher power in the 12 steps is necessary, but admitting that you have lost control over your behavior is really just being honest with yourself. Of course, it could just become a self-fulfilling prophecy or an excuse for future use. In this sense, it may compound the problem and I think this is why you think they are equivalent. I admit this may not be helpful for addict, but admitting you have lost control is just a statement of fact in most cases and not a proscription for future use.
Anywho, I think the crucial element to the AA or NA is that its a community that keeps sobriety in the forefront of one's mind. That's the higher power their all attributing to God.
Edited by JustinC, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
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