Phat writes:
Well, the whole reason for even going to such a program is the idea that you have a problem. Until you face that fact, you may as well not even be there.
I think the issue is a level of needing help.
"We admitted we were powerless over alcohol--that our lives had become unmanageable."
...is a bit over-dramatic. And can be self-destructive as well. A better re-wording would be something like:
"We admited we were unable to discover the strength needed to overcome alcohol--that our lives had become unmanageable"
That is, more of an "I don't know how to overcome this problem" admission rather than "I know I'm useless".
If the addict has admitted that they are, in fact addicted...and they cannot fix themselves then a support group is a viable next step.
Not so much that they "cannot" fix themselves, but more so that they don't understand how. That is, they
do have the power to help themselves, but just do not know how to tap into that power.
In both cases, a support group is a viable next step. In my suggested case, the person isn't left feeling powerless. This should help any future dependence on others for support and help them understand that they can learn to depend on themselves, eventually.
Or, well, at least that's what I think. I'm no psychological or addiction expert by any means.
Phat writes:
Nuggin writes:
A lot of the steps go one to put the power outside of the individuals hands.
It is an individual choice to attend a support group to begin with...
I don't think that's the point, though. Choosing to attend a support group doesn't have to be "to put the power outside of the individual's hands". Why can't a support group help each other to learn how to overcome an addiction through their own power?
It would seem to me that if someone learnt they could personally overcome an addiction, then they'ed have an easier time maintaining a healthy distance away from the addiction. Especially when they are alone or away from or possibly even finished the group program. If someone learnt that they can't depend on themselves to stay away from an addiction, it would seem rather trivial that they'll be very likely to become addicted again once they are on their own.
It's this beginning basis that's the problem. The philosophy that "you are not good enough to help you, you need others" is long-term destructive. An alternative philosophy that "you do not understand how strong you are, we will help you find your own strength to deal with this problem" seems much healthier.
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