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A comment on Alcoholics Anonymous vs. other approaches: the evidence is now in. Parent comment

Re:Alcoholics Anonymous vs. other approaches: the evidence i... by reflectiv on Thursday March 12, 2020 @01:58PM (#22559704)
Former addict of opiates here, I've attended a lot of AA/NA meetings in the long ago past (8+ years ago).

They may not claim to be religious, but every single step mirrors the idea that you are to give up to a 'higher power' and to 'faithfully' follow the steps...etc...etc.

It's as religious as it can be while still trying to claim otherwise...in reality its a thin veneer for a truly religious/faith based system. It's got religion all up in its business...the claim to irreligiosity is a fig leaf, in my experience.

I also truly hated their angle of making you feel like you are forever a victim/failure to addiction...that is not how you promote a prosperous and good outlook on life. In fact it's a good way to make you feel like shit and use again.

What I learned later on is that yes, you can let your past be your past...no I don't want to take opiates...but I also am no longer an 'addict'. I am me, and I don't consume addictive pills anymore.

Also, as an anecdote, over 8 years clean here...and that didn't happen till I gave up on AA/NA.

Edit: After reading a few more messages, this one in particular was on point and stated things better than I can: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22553896

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Alcoholics Anonymous vs. other approaches: the evidence i... by iateanapple on Thursday March 12, 2020 @04:01PM (#22561119)
> It's as religious as it can be while still trying to claim otherwise...

Exactly - it is taking a program that was religious and removing the more openly religious parts in order to try and help people who aren’t religious.

You can smell religion all over it.

> that is not how you promote a prosperous and good outlook on life.

With a Christian frame of reference it fits and makes sense - and isn’t framing you as a victim.

For others it can feel very weird and even possibly harmful and build a victim mentality to think of it that way.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Alcoholics Anonymous vs. other approaches: the evidence i... by reflectiv on Thursday March 12, 2020 @04:51PM (#22561590)
I'd argue its harmful when Christians teach you to feel bad for being human.

This is much the same.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Alcoholics Anonymous vs. other approaches: the evidence i... by iateanapple on Thursday March 12, 2020 @05:29PM (#22561972)
I think that’s fair - and so AA probably doesn’t fit your personality as well as it does others.
[ Parent | on HN ]