Twelve-Step and Other Types of Support Groups A Unique Part of the Treatment of Addictive Disorders W. Bryce Hagedorn, PhD, LMHC, NCC, MAC Twelve-Step Groups Essential part of many or most Tx programs Most Tx programs are Most will require or encourage AA/NA attendance An often Often passionate reactions Alcoholics Anonymous Established June 10, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Akron, Ohio Focus on surrender,, humility, limitations, and service MHS 6450 1
Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps and 12 Traditions Steps are suggestions for Traditions are suggestions for, temporary sponsorship Anonymity to avoid controversy and maintain focus Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous does not assert that: there is form of alcoholism moderate drinking is impossible for everyone alcoholics should be labeled, confronted aggressively or coerced alcoholics are riddled with denial and defense mechanisms alcoholism is purely physical, alcoholism is hereditary alcoholics are not responsible for their actions Other Twelve-Step Groups Narcotics Anonymous, In part a response to AA s exclusion of drug addicts 600% growth from 1983-1989 These days alcoholics or addicts Clients should be encouraged to explore options ( ) MHS 6450 2
Other Twelve-Step Groups Al-Anon, Founded by Lois Wilson, For family/friends of those addicted to alcohol Use the same steps/traditions of AA Focus over the lovedone s alcoholism Focus learning how to control one s own life Alateen, Component of Al-Anon Founded by a teenager Other Twelve-Step Groups Nar-Anon Family Groups For family/friends of those addicted to drugs Use the same steps/traditions of NA Focus lack of control over the loved-one s drug use Focus learning how to control Additional Twelve-Step Groups Anonymous Sexaholics/Sex Addicts Anonymous Anonymous Emotions Anonymous Anonymous Cocaine Anonymous MHS 6450 3
Twelve-Step Groups Advantages Cost Availability Support, acceptance Structure Twelve-Step Groups Disadvantages Conflict between and Lord s Prayer implies Christianity Judeo-Christian God as Higher Power May be problematic for some clients The issue of Rational Recovery (RR), 1986 Founded by Jack and Lois Trimpey Response to Based on REBT of Albert Ellis 15 central beliefs about alcoholism Meetings are free and led by a coordinator More at www.rational.org MHS 6450 4
Women for Sobriety (WFS) Founded by Jean Kirkpatrick, 1976 Found AA meetings to be rigid, dogmatic and chauvinistic Believes Women drink because of frustration, loneliness, and emotional depravation and harassment Men drink for Men for Sobriety (MFS) Founded by Jean Kirkpatrick, 1994 At the request of men who wanted their own group based on the principle of WFS Still very small only 15 meetings in three states, 2 in Canada SMART Recovery Cognitive-behavioral focus managing beliefs and emotions that lead to drinking/drugging enhancing motivation refusing to act on urges to use managing life's problems in a sensible and effective way without substances developing a No labels of alcoholic or addict More at www.smartrecovery.org MHS 6450 5
Moderation Management (MM), 1993 Founded by Audrey Kishline For individuals who (early in the abuse cycle) Audrey was in AA for several years, attending hundreds of meetings More at www.moderation.org Step 1 We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. Step 2 Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Step 3 Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him. Step 4 Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Step 5 Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Step 6 Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. MHS 6450 6
Step 7 Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Step 8 Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Step 9 Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Step 10 Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Step 11 Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Step 12 Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. MHS 6450 7