Whatever one thinks of AA's spirituality, research suggests that thinking about God enhances self-control: “The world is full of people who are fastidious about Biblical rules but can’t say no to fast food,” says Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. “There’s something about rules from God that make them easier to follow.” According to … Continue reading Science for spirituality
Category: Mutual Aid
Youth Recovery Contexts
Another study brings good news about adolescents and 12 step recovery: Results The proportion attending 12-step meetings was relatively low across follow-up (24 to 29%), but more frequent attendance was independently associated with greater abstinence in concurrent and, to a lesser extent, lagged models. An 8-item composite measure of 12-step involvement did not enhance outcomes … Continue reading Youth Recovery Contexts
Sentences to ponder
Does this speak to the power of one addict talking with another? If we're going to find our way back to each other, we have to understand and know empathy, because empathy's the antidote to shame. If you put shame in a Petri dish, it needs three things to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence and judgment. … Continue reading Sentences to ponder
12-step involvement and continuous abstinence at 2 years
More support for twelve step facilitation and sober housing: Participants who were categorically involved in 12-step activities were significantly more likely to maintain continuous abstinence at 2 years compared with those who were less involved, predicting a greater likelihood of complete abstinence than summary scores of involvement. In addition, participants in the Oxford House condition … Continue reading 12-step involvement and continuous abstinence at 2 years
Dry run
Recovery lessons from training for a marathon: I had set myself up for marathon success: I had a cohort of supporters, I followed the training rules, I hydrated for fear of splitting headaches, I had my guilt-inducing early morning car pool in place, and I had faith in the coaches. And yet, when it came … Continue reading Dry run
Twelve-Step attendance trajectories over 7 years among adolescents
More evidence for the benefits of 12 step facilitation for adolescents: Results of multivariate logistic GEE models indicated that adolescents with continued 12-Step attendance had better outcomes over time, whereas those in the early but not continued group had no different long-term outcomes compared to those in the low/no attendance group. A problem, of course, … Continue reading Twelve-Step attendance trajectories over 7 years among adolescents
Everyone, from Yale to jail
Greater Good has a nice piece on the benefits of helping others in addiction recovery: In recent years, a growing body of research has found that helping others brings measurable physical and psychological benefits to the helper. Building on this work, Pagano is exploring the particular and sometimes surprising benefits of altruism for people battling alcoholism and … Continue reading Everyone, from Yale to jail
Identity and addiction
The White Noise had a post on identity and addiction. The blogger ends up expressing some discomfort with the way many recovering addicts make their addiction and recovery so central to their identity: I have mixed feelings on AA. I believe in camaraderie and community in times of strain and crisis. I believe in cultivating the … Continue reading Identity and addiction
Ex-addicts staying sober through sport
Awesome. A very cool tribe within the recovering community. More than 4,700 people have participated in Phoenix, which Scott Strode started in 2007. Most join the group because they've struggled with drug or alcohol addiction. "Life should be better once you get sober," said Strode, 38. "(We want to) help people build a new life, … Continue reading Ex-addicts staying sober through sport
A Rabbi’s Teachings on Recovery Find a Wide Audience
The New York Times has a profile of Rabbi Shais Taub, who offers culturally specific recovery support to the Jewish community.