Comments on: The Benefits and Drawbacks of 12 Step Programs http://www.spiritualriver.com/the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-12-step-programs/ Non-traditional recovery from addiction Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:09:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jeshttp://www.spiritualriver.com/the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-12-step-programs/comment-page-1/#comment-138065 Jes Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:34:34 +0000 http://www.spiritualriver.com/?p=540#comment-138065 I am a member of a 12 step program & I enjoyed your article, particularly the part on the trap of depending on meetings. there is a tool kit, so it is said, meetings are only a piece. they are a jump-start to recovery, helping me as a reminder of what i should be doing, how i should be thinking & acting-with humility, happiness, gratitude, etc. they are also a reminder of the horrors of active addiction, as newcomers make most meetings up, as the more time you get the more time you need to spend in the life you've created for yourself. in the beginning we chase our recovery like our drugs, 24/7 & hard. I agree with you with all of this & found your writing very insightful. But when we have some time we need to refocus on not just staying clean but also on our family, being parents, being students, being employees or bosses, etc. But my sponsor taught me this, using 12-step program literature to support her opinions. It is my opinion as well that through learning & reading & being involved that meetings cannot be the be-all end-all & that the GOAL of recovery is to "live and enjoy life freely without the use of drugs" not only to stop using drugs. so your opinion of a 'holistic approach' in my opinion is NOT in opposition or versus 12-step program, but that a 12-step program done as it was intended- doing the steps & their spiritual principles then "practicing them in ALL our affairs"- will allow someone to live a holistic life within a 12-step recovery program. I am a member of a 12 step program & I enjoyed your article, particularly the part on the trap of depending on meetings. there is a tool kit, so it is said, meetings are only a piece. they are a jump-start to recovery, helping me as a reminder of what i should be doing, how i should be thinking & acting-with humility, happiness, gratitude, etc. they are also a reminder of the horrors of active addiction, as newcomers make most meetings up, as the more time you get the more time you need to spend in the life you’ve created for yourself. in the beginning we chase our recovery like our drugs, 24/7 & hard. I agree with you with all of this & found your writing very insightful.

But when we have some time we need to refocus on not just staying clean but also on our family, being parents, being students, being employees or bosses, etc. But my sponsor taught me this, using 12-step program literature to support her opinions. It is my opinion as well that through learning & reading & being involved that meetings cannot be the be-all end-all & that the GOAL of recovery is to “live and enjoy life freely without the use of drugs” not only to stop using drugs. so your opinion of a ‘holistic approach’ in my opinion is NOT in opposition or versus 12-step program, but that a 12-step program done as it was intended- doing the steps & their spiritual principles then “practicing them in ALL our affairs”- will allow someone to live a holistic life within a 12-step recovery program.

]]> By: lomarhttp://www.spiritualriver.com/the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-12-step-programs/comment-page-1/#comment-23901 lomar Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:39:06 +0000 http://www.spiritualriver.com/?p=540#comment-23901 It's great to read an objective opinion in regards to the pros and cons of 12 step meetings. I always wondered how many people would actually relapse with the excuse of "I quit going to meetings" if it wasn't beaten into their heads while attending meetingss that they would probably relapse if they quit going to meetings It’s great to read an objective opinion in regards to the pros and cons of 12 step meetings. I always wondered how many people would actually relapse with the excuse of “I quit going to meetings” if it wasn’t beaten into their heads while attending meetingss that they would probably relapse if they quit going to meetings

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