(October 23, 2014 at 11:19 am)Aractus Wrote:(October 23, 2014 at 9:46 am)smithers Wrote: I do not disagree with that. I am simply saying that atheist or theist, many people HAVE found some merit in AA. It seems to have some merit to me. With that being said I agree that it is a deeply flawed program. Really the only parts of AA I agree with are the 'fellowship,' aka building a support group, and helping other addicts, doing the right thing, etc. Having people who share the same problem with you to talk about that problem is therapeutic and doing the right thing or helping other people will make you feel better about yourself which may possibly keep you from wanting to destroy yourself further.I think what you're saying is that there is some aspects to the 12-step program that some AA members find helpful in staying sober. This is obviously true or there wouldn't be anyone who'd say AA worked for them.
Other than that I feel confident making the generalization that mostly everything else they claim is complete bullshit.
But as I said before, it's approach as a "disease" rather than an "addiction" can well be called into question.
Also group therapy is not always the best. Did you know that anorexics for instance usually face group-based intervention programs; but some researchers are finding that individual in-home (i.e. not institutional) therapy is more effective in treating the disorder. And it is a recognised disease.
You can question it, but the AMA calls it a disease.
Quote:Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is defined by the American Medical Association (AMA) as "a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations."
Skepticism is not a position; it is an approach to claims.
Science is not a subject, but a method.
Science is not a subject, but a method.