Reverend Leo B.

Twelve Steps and Therapy

 

"Leo, I think that if a person is really doing the Twelve Step program then they don't need therapy. The program is a gift from God for alcoholics and drug addicts; it is the solution!"

I had this conversation recently after a meeting, over coffee and a piece of brie cheese. I've had similar conversations before concerning medication:

"Leo, if you are a drug addict you shouldn't be taking medications. They are a trigger. It's only a matter of time before the addict begins manipulating the prescriptions, eventually returning to other non-prescription drugs."

They are both interesting points of view…but dangerous. In their devotion, indeed fanatical support of the Twelve Step program, they risk the lives of alcoholics and drug addicts. Quite simply, these views are dangerous, arrogant and wrong. They also misrepresent the Twelve Step program.

Let me be clear, I'm an alcoholic. I'm not bi-polar, schizophrenic or a depressive. I do not need medications; I do not take medications; the Twelve Step program is enough for me. But that's me. It's not you.

As you can also see I'm a theologian, not a physician. And the people who rule out all therapy and medications are (mostly) not physicians or nurses. In this sense, they have an arrogant and dangerous lay-person's opinion.

Let's take a contemporary situation that we often meet in Twelve Step: Brian, who is also undoubtedly an alcoholic, was sexually abused for many years and, as a result, has serious psychological issues that include Depression. The physician at his treatment center has recommended Twelve Step meetings and after-care with a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist offers hourly therapy and medication for his depression. A recovery cocktail!

That, for me, is the end of the story. He's got AA. Therapy. And needed medication that, if not taken, could result in relapse or worse.

I know many wonderful members of Twelve Step who take medications for a variety of conditions, including Viagra, so what is the problem with an alcoholic requiring an anti-depressant.

In the old, old days there were 'pure' alcoholics, but those days have mostly gone. Most alcoholics that I meet also used drugs. Drugs, pills, glue…and alcohol. And the damage created by this combination of toxins is hard to assess. Nobody really knows the brain damage resulting from these combined drugs. Clearly, the Twelve Step program, for many, is not enough. Period.

Why do some in AA or Twelve Step not accept this? I recounted the two comments, recently made to me, at the beginning of this article. How can they discount the science of therapy? How can they overrule the diagnosis of a physician?

In the world of religion we meet similar individuals who say that 'faith' is enough to face any difficulty. No operations, blood transfusions, inoculations or non-church therapy. The result of these attitudes have been disastrous. Family members, children, friends in the church have died because of these fanatical religious addicts. In a sense they are similar to the "zealots for AA" who disregard therapy or medications; really they are disregarding science.

Note the word 'fanatic'; it is not unlike addictive, compulsive, obsessive…they collectively lack balance and tolerance.

What can be done about these Twelve Step fanatics? Well, fortunately they seem to be a dying breed. They mean well. They love the program…too much. Their 'black and white' thinking clouds their objectivity.

However, what can we do? Confront them. Talk about the dangers they are creating for the same alcoholics they claim to love. State the high number of alcoholics who relapse or commit suicide when they come off their medications.

Spiritually I believe that we have an obligation to confront arrogance, prejudice and ignorance; and we can confront it in a gentle way. But confront it we must.

Here is a cautionary quote from the philosopher Alfred North Whitehead:

"Not ignorance, but ignorance of ignorance is the death of knowledge.”

 

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