http://www.12step.org/Twelve Step programs are well known for their use in treating addictive and dysfunctional behaviors. The first 12 step program began with Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in the 1930s and has since grown to be the most widely used approach in dealing not only with recovery from alcoholism, but also from drug abuse and various other addictive and dysfunctional behaviors.
I would like to begin a discussion about the practical application of the 12 step program to ALL addictive and dysfunctional behaviours.
While most people recognise the most common human addictions such as alcoholism, drug dependency (both illegal and medically prescribed), gambling and sex it is increasingly clear that to some varying degree we are all addicted to certain beliefs and ideas that make us more prone to behaving in ways which are not only self destructive, but can also have a significant negative impact upon our family, friends and the society at large.
Leading to suicide becoming one of the most biggest killers especially of our young people (more than die per year in motor vehicle accidents), but also across many different age and socioeconomic, cultures and religions.
Beliefs including that as human beings we are somehow special special and superior to all other living creatures, that we can improve upon nature, that we ourselves, science, or enough hard work will eventually solve all human problems and that modern medicine actually has the ability to heal our body, mind and spirit.
With this in mind I would ask that members should first look at the website in question and make themselves familiar with the 12 steps program to recovery. Note that none of this in any way is meant to be a substitute for a person's religious beliefs.
Respecting each individual's right to believe in or worship God as they understand him or her to be, and not forcing your own beliefs about God onto others is at the core of this program. It is also one of Mystic Board's most important rules for using this website.
However agnostics as well as atheists and humanists can also greatly benefit from following these same steps.
Would someone here like to start this discussion, using the following questions as a basis?
1. Are all human beings to some varying degree addicts?
2. Can the 12 step program also be successfully applied to treating other than the more well known human addictions?
3. How can the 12 step program be adapted to helping and healing the entire human race?
Please keep things as practical, simple and real life as possible, instead of losing ourselves in abstractions and philosophy. This discussion is meant to help real people with their very real problems, and is not intended as an intellectual exercise or for us to score points against each other.
Thanks,
EoT