(October 21, 2014 at 12:43 pm)LastPoet Wrote: http://youtu.be/YF72vvW-y3MI mostly agree with this video, and I generally don't like 12-step programs, but there are some nagging issues I'll point out:
1. AA and other 12-step programs don't collect or publish data and so we can't know the effectiveness: TRUE.
2. AA is shown by the data Pen and Teller looked at to be ineffective: FALSE. The data does show that long-term effectiveness specifically for Alcoholics, but does not mean it isn't effective short-term or that other 12-step programs (e.g. Gamblers Anonymous) is ineffective. Gamblers Anonymous was found to be as effective short term (after 6-months) as professional cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in a controlled trial (see Twelve-step facilitated versus mapping-enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy for pathological gambling: A controlled study. (2010). By Marceaux, J. C. and Melville, C. L.)
3. Alcoholism is a disease: Partially TRUE. Addictions can be a disease, "gambling disorder" is the only addictive disorder that is a recognised disease but is not caused by substance use or abuse. Substance dependence can be thought of as being a disease.
However, an alcoholic is any person where alcohol affects their life negatively, and they are not necessarily "addicted".
For Religion & Health see:[/b][/size] Williams & Sternthal. (2007). Spirituality, religion and health: Evidence and research directions. Med. J. Aust., 186(10), S47-S50. -LINK
The WIN/Gallup End of Year Survey 2013 found the US was perceived to be the greatest threat to world peace by a huge margin, with 24% of respondents fearful of the US followed by: 8% for Pakistan, and 6% for China. This was followed by 5% each for: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, North Korea. -LINK
"That's disgusting. There were clean athletes out there that have had their whole careers ruined by people like Lance Armstrong who just bended thoughts to fit their circumstances. He didn't look up cheating because he wanted to stop, he wanted to justify what he was doing and to keep that continuing on." - Nicole Cooke
The WIN/Gallup End of Year Survey 2013 found the US was perceived to be the greatest threat to world peace by a huge margin, with 24% of respondents fearful of the US followed by: 8% for Pakistan, and 6% for China. This was followed by 5% each for: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, North Korea. -LINK
"That's disgusting. There were clean athletes out there that have had their whole careers ruined by people like Lance Armstrong who just bended thoughts to fit their circumstances. He didn't look up cheating because he wanted to stop, he wanted to justify what he was doing and to keep that continuing on." - Nicole Cooke
