DOCSLIB.ORG

HOW to FIND a RECOVERY GROUP: MUTUAL HELP IS MORE THAN SELF-HELP William Doverspike, Ph.D

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
HOW to FIND a RECOVERY GROUP: MUTUAL HELP IS MORE THAN SELF-HELP William Doverspike, Ph.D HOW TO FIND A RECOVERY GROUP: MUTUAL HELP IS MORE THAN SELF-HELP William Doverspike, Ph.D. Drdoverspike.com 770-913-0506 One of the most common statements heard in alcohol problems. A promising strategy mutual-support recovery groups is the involves assigning a person to alternative following: “I don’t need a self-help group. If I treatments based on specific needs and could have done it alone, I wouldn’t have characteristics of the individual. needed you.” Traditional Recovery Groups Beginning with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), In addition to AA, there are also recovery which celebrated its 80th International groups for families and friends of alcoholics Convention of 70,000 sober alcoholics who met (Al-Anon) as well as children of alcoholics at the World Congress Center in Atlanta in July (Alateen). Mutual help recovery groups are also 2015, there are approximately 400 variations of available for those who suffer from narcotics 12 Step programs that have emerged. Two addiction to (Narcotics Anonymous), as well as decades ago, a monumental survey published in families and friends those affected by such Consumer Reports (1995) revealed that AA addiction (Nar-Anon). scored significantly better (251) than mental health professionals such as psychiatrists (226), In the metro Atlanta area, there are hundreds of social workers (225), psychologists (220), weekly AA and Al-Anon meetings. Many of family physicians (213) and marriage these meetings are held in churches and counselors (208). Although this survey was not synagogues, although AA and Al-Anon is not a scientific study, the readers of Consumer affiliated with any sect, religion, sect, Reports highlighted the popularity of mutual denomination, political entity, organization, or help recovery groups. institution. AA and Al-Anon do not engage in any controversy, do not endorse or oppose any In a study aptly titled Matching Alcoholism cause, and do not require any dues or fees for Treatments to Client Heterogeneity (MATCH), membership. AA and Al-Anon are self the Project MATCH Research Group (1997) supporting through the voluntary contributions conducted an eight-year, multisite trial that was of their members. the largest and most statistically powerful clinical trial of psychotherapies ever With respect to other types of counseling, undertaken. A major finding of the study was treatment, or psychosocial groups, an email to that Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF), the AA General Service Office will typically Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), elicit the following statement that is based on and a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral the Tenth Tradition: “Alcoholics Anonymous Therapy (CBT) produced similar drinking neither endorses nor opposes other approaches, outcomes. The single confirmed match was and we cooperate widely with the medical between patients with low psychiatric severity profession.” Also consistent with the Tenth and 12-step facilitation therapy. Patients Tradition, the General Service Office declines receiving 12-Step facilitation therapy had more to comment on whether AA’s efficacy has been abstinent days than those treated with proved. cognitive-behavioral therapy. Otherwise, Project MATCH revealed that no single treatment approach was more effective than the other two approaches for all persons with How to Find a Recovery Group 2 The following list includes a few mutual help The Biscayne Room groups whose meetings are open to those (http://biscayneroom.com/), located a few miles suffering from alcoholism, substance addiction, from the NABA Club in northeast Atlanta, was and other process addictions: opened in June 1968. Biscayne is open seven days a week and many alcoholics have found Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) recovery there. The Atlanta area also includes other clubs such as the Triangle Club Al-Anon Family Groups (Al-Anon) (https://www.atlantatriangleclub.org/) opened July, 1966, the Dogwood Club (opened April, Alateen 1965, the Rebus Club in Smyrna (opened February, 1969), the DeKalb Room (opened Cocaine Anonymous April, 1971), and the Tara Club (opened March, 1972). Further north of Atlanta, in the Sandy Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Springs area, is the 8111 Clubhouse (http://www.8111clubhouse.org/index.html). Nar-Anon These clubs operate on a limited basis. Heroin Anonymous (HA) Nontraditional Recovery Groups In addition to the above groups, which are Marijuana Anonymous (MA) variations either directly or indirectly derived from the basic 12-Step program of AA, there Methadone Anonymous (MA) are other mutual help recovery groups that are available. Some of these groups have a secular Emotions Anonymous (EA) focus (e.g., Save Ourselves), some have a distinctly religious focus (e.g., Celebrate Gamblers Anonymous Recovery®), and others make allowance for both secular and spiritual orientations. There Overeaters Anonymous (OA) are multiple paths that can lead to recovery. According to Peele, Bufe, and Brodsky (2000, Sex Addicts Anonymous p. 22), the five most popular alternatives to AA have been Rational Recovery, SMART AA Clubhouses Recovery, Women for Sobriety, Secular The Northside Alcoholics Benevolent Organizations for Sobriety, and Moderation Association (NABA Club) is known by Management. members and locals as “Naba.” Chartered in 1957, the NABA Club Save Our Selves (SOS) is self-described as the (http://www.nabaclub.org/) is the oldest and first large scale alternative to AA. The largest clubhouse housing AA and Al-Anon organization was founded in 1984 by James meetings in the Atlanta area. It is a non-profit Christopher, an alcoholic who quit drinking in organization located whose primary goal is to 1978. Early in his recovery, Christopher offer a safe haven for anyone who wishes to realized that AA was not the right fit for him. recover from alcoholism. NABA hosts over 40 SOS respects recovery in every form, by different AA, Al-Anon, and Alateen meetings a whatever path it is achieved. In SOS meetings, week. There are several meeting rooms members share their experiences, information, including a large room for speakers meetings insights, and encouragement. and other events. How to Find a Recovery Group 3 Originally known as Save Our Selves, Secular Rational Recovery Systems, a for-profit Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) emerged as a corporation owned by Jack Tripey. network of autonomous addiction recovery groups. The program emphasizes the need to The efficacy of RR has been the subject of place one’s highest priority on sobriety by using research conducted by principle investigator mutual support to assist members in this Mark Galaner, M.D., a former president of both common goal. The Suggested Guidelines for the American Society of Addiction Medicine Sobriety focus on rational decision-making and (SAAM) and the American Association of are not religious or spiritual in nature. SOS Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP). In a national therefore represents an alternative to spiritually sample of 433 substance-abusing people based 12-Step addiction recovery programs (mostly men) attending 63 established RR such as AA. SOS members may also AA groups, 58% reported at least 6 months of meetings, and of course AA members can also abstinence among those members who had attend other groups because AA’s Tradition joined RR for 6 months or more (Galanter, Ten states that AA “has no position on outside Egelko, & Edwards, 1993). These investigators issues.” However, SOS does not view concluded that “RR succeed in engaging spirituality or surrender to a Higher Power as substance abusers and promoting abstinence being necessary to maintain abstinence. among many of them while presenting a cognitive orientation that is different from the Self-Management and Recovery Training spiritual one of AA. Its utility in substance (SMART) describes itself as “a nationwide, abuse treatment warrants further assessment” nonprofit organization which offers free support (Galanter et al., 1993, p. 499). This research groups to individuals who desire to gain was conducted before This research was independence from any type of addictive conducted before RR cancelled and disbanded behavior” (https://www.smartrecovery.org/). their mutual-support meetings effective January Historically, this approach has some of its roots 1, 1999 in favor of self-recovery treatment. in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), which was originally developed by In 1994, the Rational Recovery Self-Help Albert Ellis (1957, 1994). Rational Recovery Network changed its name to SMART (RR) was found by California licensed clinical Recovery, and ended all affiliation with Jack social worker (LCSW), Jack Trimpey. In 1983, Trimpey. According to the SMART website his wife Lois asked Jack to choose between his (https://www.smartrecovery.org/), the change long-standing use of alcohol and remaining in occurred because of disagreements between the Trimpey family. Although Jack’s first Trimpey and the non-profit’s board of directors reaction was anger, he grudgingly accepted her about the program of recovery to be offered in terms. Jack and Lois soon decided to create the self-help groups. With a central office based Rational Recovery, an alternative to 12-step in Mentor, Ohio, Smart Recovery is currently recovery (Richardson & Trimpey, 2011). an international non-profit organization that Trimpey established Rational Recovery in 1986 provides assistance and mutual-support groups. in his hometown of Lotus, in Northern California. RR’s name is a deliberate play on SMART Recovery presents itself as an words of the alliterative
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Styles of Secular Recovery
    White, W. & Nicolaus, M. (2005). Styles of secular recovery. Counselor, 6(4), 58-61. Styles of Secular Recovery William L. White and Martin Nicolaus The last essay in this column noted the growing diversity in religious, spiritual and secular frameworks of recovery and sketched the history of religious approaches to addiction recovery. This essay reviews the history and growing varieties of secular recovery and the implications of such diversity for the addictions professional. A History of Secular Recovery The history of non-religious, non-spiritual approaches to the resolution of alcohol and other drug problems begins with the Washingtonian Revival of the 1840s. The Washingtonians removed preachers and physicians from the temperance lectern in favor of men and women who, in the vernacular of the day, were “reformed” or were “reforming.” The Washingtonians replaced religious admonitions not to drink with 1) public confession of one’s addiction, 2) a signed pledge of abstinence, 3) visits to younger members, 4) economic assistance to new members, 5) experience sharing meetings, 6) outreach to the suffering drunkard, and 7) sober entertainment and fellowship. While many Washingtonians entered the life of their local churches, Washingtonian leaders were charged by their religious critics with committing the sin of humanism--placing their own will above the power of God. Recovery support societies that followed the Washingtonians took on a more religious orientation, but secular recovery groups continued in some of the mid- century moderation societies, ribbon reform clubs and support societies that grew out of early treatment institutions, e.g. the Ollapod Club and the Keeley Leagues.
    [Show full text]
  • Staying Connected Is Important: Virtual Recovery Resources
    STAYING CONNECTED IS IMPORTANT: VIRTUAL RECOVERY RESOURCES • Refuge Recovery: Provides online and virtual INTRODUCTION support In an infectious disease outbreak, when social https://www.refugerecovery.org/home distancing and self-quarantine are needed to • Self-Management and Recovery Training limit and control the spread of the disease, (SMART) Recovery: Offers global community continued social connectedness to maintain of mutual-support groups, forums including a recovery is critically important. Virtual chat room and message board resources can and should be used during this https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/ time. Even after a pandemic, virtual support may still exist and still be necessary. • SoberCity: Offers an online support and recovery community This tip sheet describes resources that can be https://www.soberocity.com/ used to virtually support recovery from mental/ substance use disorders as well as other • Sobergrid: Offers an online platform to help resources. anyone get sober and stay sober https://www.sobergrid.com/ • Soberistas: Provides a women-only VIRTUAL RECOVERY PROGRAMS international online recovery community https://soberistas.com/ • Alcoholics Anonymous: Offers online support • Sober Recovery: Provides an online forum for https://aa-intergroup.org/ those in recovery and their friends and family https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/ • Cocaine Anonymous: Offers online support and services • We Connect Recovery: Provides daily online https://www.ca-online.org/ recovery groups for those with substance use and
    [Show full text]
  • SMART Recovery® History
    A Chronology of SMART Recovery® Compiled by Shari Allwood and William White Pre-SMART Recovery Milestones 1975 Jean Kirkpatrick, PhD, founds Women for Sobriety, the first secular alcoholism recovery alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous. 1985 Jack and Lois Trimpey found Rational Recovery (RR). Late 1980s Early 1990s Rational Recovery meetings spread in the US. 1990 Articles in the Boston Globe and the New York Times as well as television coverage on such programs as The Today Show stimulate interest in rational approaches to addiction recovery. The Globe article alone generates more than 400 calls about Rational Recovery. First RR meeting takes place at a hospital: Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, 1990. There are 14 RR groups meeting in the US. 1991 Jack and Lois Trimpey host the first meeting of the informal board of professional advisors to Rational Recovery in February in Dallas, Texas. A number of the individuals who will later start SMART Recovery are in attendance. 1992 Rational Recovery prison meetings start at MCI-Concord (MA) October 6, 1992, led by Barbara Gerstein, RN, and Wally White. Prof. Marc Galanter (NYU) and colleagues conduct a survey study of participants in 30 Rational Recovery groups throughout the US. They conclude that RR engages participants and the likelihood of abstinence increases with the length of participation. 1993 Survey study of Rational Recovery groups by the West End Group, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School reaches the same conclusions as the 1992 Galanter group study. Rational Recovery training conference is held at Hyatt Harborside Hotel in Boston in conjunction with a scientific meeting featuring James Prochaska and Tom Miller as the main speakers.
    [Show full text]
  • Women Recovering in Alcoholics Anonymous: the Impact of Social Bonding
    UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2003 Women recovering in Alcoholics Anonymous: The impact of social bonding Tina Marie Wininger University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Wininger, Tina Marie, "Women recovering in Alcoholics Anonymous: The impact of social bonding" (2003). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1570. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/s5bx-078s This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WOMEN RECOVERING IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL BONDING by Tina Marie Wininger Bachelor of Arts University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2000 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Sociology Department of Sociology College of Liberal Arts Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 2003 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1417743 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted.
    [Show full text]
  • Addiction : an Information Guide / Marilyn Herie
    A addiction can affect your health, relationships, finances, d d i c career—every aspect of your life. You may not see your t i o substance use as a problem, and even if you do, it can still n Addiction be hard to change. A n Addiction: An Information Guide is for people who are i n f having problems with alcohol or other drugs, their families o r m and friends, and anyone else who wants to better under - a An t i o stand addiction. The guide describes what addiction is, n g what is thought to cause it, and how it can be managed u i d and treated. The guide also includes ways family members e can support people with addiction while taking care of information themselves, and tips on explaining addiction to children. guide This publication may be available in other formats. For information about alternate formats or other CAMH publications, or to place an order, please contact Sales and Distribution: Toll-free: 1 800 661-1111 Toronto: 416 595-6059 E-mail: [email protected] Online store: http://store.camh.net To make a donation, please contact the CAMH Foundation: Tel.: 416 979-6909 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.camh.net Disponible en français. Marilyn Herie, PhD, RSW 3 4 Tim Godden, MSW, RSW 0 M P Joanne Shenfeld, MSW, RSW / 0 1 0 Colleen Kelly, MSW, RSW 2 - 5 0 / d 3 A Pan American Health Organization / 7 9 World Health Organization Collaborating Centre 3 i Addiction An information guide A GUIDE FOR PEOPLE WITH ADDICTION AND THEIR FAMILIES Marilyn Herie, PhD, RSW Tim Godden, MSW, RSW Joanne Shenfeld, MSW, RSW Colleen Kelly, MSW, RSW A Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization Collaborating Centre ii Addiction: An information guide Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Addiction : an information guide / Marilyn Herie..
    [Show full text]
  • SMART Bibliography Peer Reviewed Publications and Monographs Aslan, L., Parkman, T. J., & Skagerlind, N. (2016). an Evaluati
    SMART Bibliography Peer Reviewed Publications and Monographs Aslan, L., Parkman, T. J., & Skagerlind, N. (2016). An evaluation of the mutual aid facilitation sessions pilot program, you do the MAFS. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 11(2), 109- 124. Atkins, Jr., R. G., & Hawdon, J. E. (2007). Religiosity and participation in mutual-aid support groups for addiction. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 33(3), 321-331. Beck, A.K., Forbes, E., Baker, A., Kelly, P., Deane, F., Shakeshaft, A, Hunt, D., & Kelly, J. (2017). Systematic review of SMART Recovery: Outcomes, process variables, and implications for research. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 31(1), 1-20. Beck, A. K., Baker, A., Kelly, P. J., Deane, F. P., Shakeshaft, A., Hunt, D., & Kelly, J. F. (2016). Protocol for a systematic review of evaluation results for adults who have participated in ‘SMART recovery’ mutual support programme. BMJ Open, (May)6(5), e009934. Beck, A. K., Baker, A. L., Kelly, P. J., Shakeshaft, A., Deane, F. P., & Hunt, D. (2015). Exploring the evidence: A systematic review of SMART Recovery evaluations. Drug and Alcohol Review, 34, 7- Bennett, A., & Hunter, M. (2016). Implementing evidence-based psychological substance misuse interventions in a high secure prison based personality disorder treatment service. Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 9(2/3), 108-116. Best, D. (2012). Addiction recovery: A movement for social change and personal growth in the UK. Brighton: Pavilion Publishing. Best, D. W., Haslam, C., Staiger, P., Dingle, G., Savic, M., Bathish, R., . Lubman, D. I. (2016). Social networks and recovery (SONAR): characteristics of a longitudinal outcome study in five therapeutic communities in Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • Overeaters Anonymous
    WELCOME TO Overeaters Anonymous **The secretaries lines have been highlighted in blue*** Welcome to the Thursday noontime meeting of Overeaters Anonymous. My name is _____________, and I am a compulsive overeater and your leader for this meeting. Will those who wish to please join me in the Serenity Prayer: God Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference. Are there any compulsive overeaters here beside myself? Let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves by first name only. We encourage you to: • get a sponsor to help guide your recovery • develop a plan of eating and if you wish, write it down and report daily to your sponsor • read OA-approved literature to develop a working knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. The following is the OA Preamble: Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this message of recover to those who still suffer. Will _________ read “OUR INVITATION TO YOU” Our Invitation to You We of Overeaters Anonymous have made a discovery.
    [Show full text]
  • Sanctuary (Spring-Summer 2016)
    NEW SERIES VOLUME III, IssUE 1 Sanctuary SPRING-SUMMER 2016 A Happy Birthday in OA . CONTENTS: This is the reading from my birthday from Voices of Recovery. It reminds me of A HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN OA .... 1 my on-the-diet, off-the-diet mentality that has lost its place in my life thanks to what I’ve learned in OA. DOING WhaT WORKS .......... 1 “A poor choice or a slip used to mean, ‘I failed.’ Now I know that it’s just a FROM YOUR INTERGROUP poor choice, a slip or even the best I could do with the situation in front of me ChaIR ................................. 2 at that time on that day. It is not a door that opens to bingeing, guilt, shame COMING BacK or other self-defeating behaviors as it used to do. Grace and a healthy self-love TO STEP ONE ....................... 2 have given me this blessing through the principles of OA and the 12 steps. And awareness of all of this came from using all the tools that are always accessible OA PUZZLE 2 ..................... 3 to me no matter where I am.” GREATER DAYTON IG INTERGROUP MINUTES .......... 4 — Marilyn D. GREATER DAYTON IG Doing what works . TREASURER REPORT .............. 5 After 27 years in OA I cannot stress enough the importance for me to do what MEETING SchEDULE ......... 6–7 works. For me that means continuing to surrender what I think food is for THE OA PREAMBLE .............. 8 to my HP. It means to continue to weigh and measure my food. To be honest about why I eat what I eat.
    [Show full text]
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders Among Veterans
    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders Among Veterans Therapist Manual Josephine M. DeMarce, Ph.D. Maryann Gnys, Ph.D. Susan D. Raffa, Ph.D. Bradley E. Karlin, Ph.D. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders Among Veterans Therapist Manual Suggested Citation: DeMarce, J. M., Gnys, M., Raffa, S. D., & Karlin, B. E. (2014). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders Among Veterans: Therapist Manual. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Table of Contents Table of Figures ..............................................................................................................................................vii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................................... ix Preface ............................................................................................................................................................... x Part 1: Background, Theory, Case Conceptualization, and Treatment Structure ....................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? ........................................................................................................ 2 About the Manual .........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • June 2021 OA TODAY NEWSLETTER St
    June 2021 OA TODAY NEWSLETTER St. Louis Bi-State Intergroup of OA P.O. Box 28882, St. Louis, MO 63123 [email protected], www.stlouisoa.org Phone: 314-638-6070 when I can no longer tolerate the pain; pain caused by physical, emotional or spiritual distress. I became desperate again last weekend. Shame had once again imprisoned me to fear, self-pity, dramatization, and guilt. I prayed for relief. The more I prayed, the more shame exerted its power to alienate me from HP and OA. I was desperate to be nearer to God. Shame kept pushing me further away. Desperate words finally cried out from my heart. I admitted falling prey to shame again STEP SIX and again. I apologized for believing the lies of my disease, saying, “I’ll never be good Were entirely ready to have God remove enough, I can’t be healed.” I asked to be all these defects of character. given strength and courage to open my heart to The Truth when shame crept into the cracks of my sacred wounds. I asked for wisdom to know the difference Desperation Can Help Us between my work and God’s work. I admitted Prepare Our Hearts for Change my belief God is responsible for the miraculous changes I’ve experienced in Step 6 is preparing (willingness) for the action Program. of asking required in Step 7. Defects are brought to light in Steps 4 and 5. My defects Surrender. Surrender helped me to let go and are behaviors, beliefs, and actions that cause be assured God will indeed sustain me.
    [Show full text]
  • Maintaining Sobriety How Support Groups Can Help
    MAINTAINING SOBRIETY HOW SUPPORT GROUPS CAN HELP Barbara H. Bradford, LICSW March 19, 2014 Overview • What do we know • High cost of substance-related addictive disorders • Role of support groups • Resources What do we know? •More than one-half of American adults have a close family member who has or has had Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) •The federal government estimates that 8.9 percent of full-time workers have drinking problems •Alcohol costs American business an estimated $134 billion in productivity losses, mostly due to missed work •According to SAMHSA, in 2011, 133.4 million people used alcohol & 22.5 million used illicit drugs. What do we know • 22% of men and 14% of women have some type of substance-related addictive disorder (National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2011) • According to the National Center for Health Statistics – there were 38,329 overdose deaths in the US in 2010. 57.7% of those involved pharmaceuticals, 74.3% were unintentional Support group history • Native Americans • Washingtonians • Oxford Groups • Alcoholics Anonymous • Post AA alternatives Alcoholics Anonymous • 1935 “Dr. Bob & Bill W” • Primary features – Admit to having problem with alcohol – Acknowledge role of “Higher Power” – Sharing experience in meeting settings – Peer mentoring (sponsorship) 2.1 million members in 150 countries Strong on line presence with e-groups available Narcotics Anonymous • 1953 NA began in California • AA endorsed NA to make use of AA 12 Steps/traditions • 1970’s time of rapid growth from 20 meetings nationally to 1100 meetings
    [Show full text]
  • February 2014
    Together We Can A Publication of the Overeaters Anonymous Metro DC Intergroup February 2014 SEXUALITY AND THE OA PROGRAM STUCK Roughly aIntergroup year and a half ago, I heard Some animal is stuck in my kitchen fan! someone “qualify” for her very first time. Making ongoing scratching noises She started with the phrase: “I can’t What the heck is that? talk about my compulsive eating history without talking about my sexuality too.” Sounds like he or she is desperately For the speaker, and the other members trying to get out gathered around the table of this Overeaters Anonymous meeting, both the How long will it be immediate and the after-effects have Assuming it is stuck been profound. Occasionally, some of us Assuming it wants out in the room that night had heard qualifications in which people spoke It may go until it is too tired about their personal history of sexual Or dead abuse; but on this night, 4 out of the 6 Not before attendees shared pieces of their own sexual abuse histories. Out of desperation Unfortunately, sexual abuse is all too Because that is the only thing it knows common for many of us in the program. to do It is often at the crux of continued Sort of like a compulsion overeating. We pack on the weight and It HAS to do it keep others physically away from us. It HAS to do it Others, like me, have shielded ourselves It HAS to do it from intimacy through our verbal and non-verbal behavior. And the notion of No brain involved trusting anybody and anything, much But a desperate attempt less ourselves, can make having a To relieve the pain spiritual connection nearly impossible.
    [Show full text]