An interesting interview with DFW's biographer about his recovery. Check it out. On the influence of 12 step recovery on his life and writing: I think over time its core message—the need for human interaction, being modest about your self and your powers, humility before your situation—become his core literary positions as well. In the … Continue reading David Foster Wallace: Life, Writing, Addiction, and Recovery
Category: Mutual Aid
Some people say…
Ugh. A pretty visible blogger resorts to the "some people say" tactic to advance a pet theory that slanders 12-step groups. It's worth noting that he's acknowledged elsewhere that he's had next to zero direct exposure to 12-step groups. His knowledge of 12-step groups and theory are based on internet comments. Ugh. Ugh. The 12-step approach has been said (by … Continue reading Some people say…
What what?
A new study looking at the comparative effectiveness of various coping skills for dealing with urges to drink in preventing relapse reports some counter-intuitive findings [emphasis mine]: ...relying on going to a meeting or talking to a sponsor or counselor when experiencing an urge was not correlated with improved drinking outcomes. and Ineffective skills in this population … Continue reading What what?
Gender Differences in AA Benefits
A recent study reported that men and women benefit from AA in different ways: For both men and women, participation in AA increased confidence in the ability to cope with high-risk drinking situations and increased the number of social contacts who supported recovery efforts. But the effect of both of those changes on … Continue reading Gender Differences in AA Benefits
Anonymity Hurts More Than It Helps???
This video came to my attention through this op-ed. I like the video and agree that making recovery more visible is important in reducing stigma. Last year I wrote: Am I the only one who is really underwhelmed with these recent pieces on whether anonymity in AA has been rendered quaint? To me, they seem to fundamentally misunderstand AA’s anonymity. There’s … Continue reading Anonymity Hurts More Than It Helps???
a protective wall of human community
Sentences to ponder: In a 1961 letter to AA’s co-founder, BillW., the renowned psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, described two main ways in which individuals with severe alcohol addiction might recover. One was through ‘real religious insight’; the other was through ‘the protective wall of human community’ characterized by a ‘personal and honest contact with friends’ (AA, 1963) [62]. Although AA … Continue reading a protective wall of human community
Shame and Addiction
Analysis of a recent study on shame and addiction suggests that shame may play a helpful role in getting alcoholics to initiate recovery but, once they're sober, it's associated with relapse. Two psychological scientists at the University of British Columbia -- Jessica Tracy and Daniel Randles -- decided to see if alcoholics' feelings of shame … Continue reading Shame and Addiction
Lines are being drawn
A major treatment provider, Caron, weighs in on Hazelden's adoption of buprenorphine maintenance treatment: We use buprenorphine (Suboxone) to assist with the detoxification process from opioids and the length of time can vary depending on the patient’s progress and additional medical issues, such as chronic pain. However, unlike Hazelden’s goal as stated in … Continue reading Lines are being drawn
More evidence for 12-step approaches
Another study finding the 12-step involvement is associated with continuous abstinence: Abstract A longitudinal analysis of 12-step involvement was conducted among a U.S. sample of patients exiting treatment for substance dependence. Categorical involvement in a set of 12-step activities and summary scores of involvement from the Alcoholics Anonymous Affiliation Scale were examined in relation to … Continue reading More evidence for 12-step approaches
NA gives its members opioids?
Marc Lewis discusses an important role of endogenous opioids. Some very prominent emotion scientists have theorized that opioids (made inside our brains) are at the root of human attachment. Mother’s milk is rich with opioid molecules. In other words, nature found a surefire way to soothe the baby with its mother’s milk, using the same … Continue reading NA gives its members opioids?
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