The Real AA: Behind the Myth of 12-Step Recovery

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Summary: thorough discussion of the pitfalls inherent in AA doctrine
Review: "Without a doubt, the general consensus in this country is that Alcoholics Anonymous is an effective remedy for alcoholism and is the treatment of choice." This general consensus is the primary myth that Ragge shows to be incorrect in his book. Reviewing the available research leads to the conclusion that "The commonly used treatment methods for alcoholism have never been proven effective." This conclusion leads to some serious question regarding current public policy.

Not only are the generally accepted treatment methods not effective, they are detrimental to the alcohol abuser. "There is much within the Twelve Steps that leads to severe emotional problems, including suicidal depression." Ragge summarizes one study in particular as follows: "It was found that the longer a patient was in the program, the higher he scored on responses (to psychological tests) indicating defeat, guilt, and fear. Perhaps most important, as the patients became more indoctrinated ! into AA, their self-concepts became progressively more negative than when they first sought help for their drinking problems."

In reviewing the effects of AA and 12 step based treatment programs, Ragge discusses the emotional ramifications of each of the 12 steps of AA in depth. Particularly troubling is the tendency of AA doctrine to promote abdication of personal responsibility. Ragge states, "One very attractive concept for the newcomer is that, unlike in the past where he could blame alcohol for his behavior only when actually drinking, under AA's disease concept of alcoholism he can attribute everything troubling within himself to alcohol." The loss of control concept is one of the myths that is not merely incorrect, but dangerous. If Ragge's analysis of the negative ramifications of AA doctrine is correct, should we as a country continue to sentence drunk drivers to attend a program or, receive treatment, which teaches them that they are not responsible for their a! ctions?

The disease theory of alcoholism is another myth ! that Ragge addresses. A common misconception is that "The disease is independent of everything else in a person's life and has a life of its own." There is no evidence that alcoholism is a disease, or that it is progressive and incurable. There is, however, evidence that demographics are "...indicative of a successful outcome with or without treatment (of any sort)." Very much to the point, Ragge states that "...the disease theory has been a tremendous boon to the American treatment industry." How long will the insurance industry continue to pay for treatment that has never been proven effective?

Throughout his book, Ragge shows that the current conventional wisdom regarding alcohol abuse and generally accepted treatments are largely myths. He raises serious issues that should challenge the medical community, the courts and the insurance industry to re-evaluate their current policies and actions.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Can Free You.
Review: Have you or a loved one been unsuccessful in AA? Are you a sober AA member, but have your doubts about the effectiveness of the program? Or do you just want to find out more about what's really going on in AA? Ken Ragge's THE REAL AA: BEHIND THE MYTH OF 12-STEP RECOVERY, can answer your questions.

For five years I endured feeling worse than ever in recovery, and finally left AA, full of doubts about the way I felt. Then I read this book, and found it to be the first ever truthful analysis of exactly what goes on in meetings. Ragge starts with a history of the Oxford Group, from which Alcoholics Anonymous grew, and from where the 12 steps originated. The steps and their effects on mental/emotional health are analzyed. If you or a loved one have ever felt depressed, angry, or frustrated in AA or NA, these chapters will help you understand why.

Throughout the book, scientific research showing that the results of 12-step treatement are questionable or harmful! , are cited. Also, tips on finding assistance for addiction other than the 12-steps are given.

Professionals should definitely read THE REAL AA: THE MYTH BEHIND 12-STEP TREATMENT before routinely sending clients to such groups. It should also be a basic text in detoxes and treatment centers.

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Summary: Is AA really a cult?
Review: I am 25 years old and have already belonged to 2 cults(No, I'm not bragging). The first was the Unification Church aka the Moonies, the second was Alcoholics Anonymous. I'll try to explain briefly some of the similarities.

Before I get started, let me tell you a little about myself. I'm a lonely guy. I have always been an outcast, always felt unloved. There's nothing I wanted more than a family and a secure home where I would feel special and appreciated. When I joined the Moonies, I was told that all my problems were the result of not having the messiah(moon) in my life, and that once I joined and started serving Moon, I would be happy. This worked for a little while, until some point I realized that they answered every question with the same answer "just believe in true parents(moon & his wife)" or something to that effect. I also noticed that some members were in pain emotionally, but they believed this pain was part of their "fallen nature" and that they probably weren't doing enough for Moon. They managed to keep smiling, but if you watched them long enough you would find frequent sighs and looks of despair. I was told that if I left the Moonies that I would be rejecting the Messiah, and that I would be miserable. The sad thing is I believed them. I did leave, but it took a long time for me to understand exactly what had happened. I thought I was through with cults, until...

A few years ago I was going through a lot of pain over the breakup of a relationship. I chose to ignore it and drink. I drank pretty heavily for a while, almost every night and almost always till I passed out. I knew that I needed help and was told about AA. I started going to meetings and was immediately told to get a sponsor, make 90 meetings in 90 days, and to start reading the big book. And once again, just like the Moonie experience, it did work for a while. Until one day I realized that they labeled everything they had ever done wrong as being the result of their diseased alcoholic thinking, even the things they did before they ever picked up a drink! I started to realize what a B.S. concept it was, to oversimply every little thing down to this one tiny "fact": that we're alcoholics. OK, so the resentment I was feeling toward my parents wasn't the result of abuse, but rather an alcoholic character defect, and that as long as I worked the steps, it would go away. I was also told that if I ever left the program, that I will most likely drink again, and even if I don't I'll just be a miserable dry drunk. I realized at that moment that this was the exact same thing the Moonies had told me ("if you leave the church you are rejecting the Messiah and will be miserable.") I began seeing the connections. The Moonies assigned me a "spiritual father" to guide me on the path to serving Moon, AA gave me a "sponsor" to show me how to work the steps. The Moonies had 1000s of members who always had these phony smiles on their faces and believed that what they were doing was the right thing in Gods eyes and that other religions were wrong, AA had the same thing. The similarities don't stop there, but I think I've said enough.

In both instances when I joined these groups I was experiencing personal lows and very vulnerable. In both cases I was very lonely and needed someone to be with. I've come to the conclusion that there are a lot of lonely people in this world, and thats why these groups will probably keep going. We all want to feel loved and accepted, and we all want to do the "right thing." Thats what these groups provide for their followers. I'm not saying that the people in these groups are bad, even the best of us can fall prey to these things. The next time you watch a news program, I want you to consider the possibility that everything you're watching is false. That whats really happening in the world, and whats in front of you are 2 very different things. It may seem like I'm going off on some crazy tangent, but I'm just trying to prove how easy it can be to manipulate people. I have compassion.

I like so many have used alcohol as an escape. I don't know if I'm an alcoholic, I'm not even sure what the word means anymore. I've come to the conclusion that I'm a lot happier and healthier staying sober. Today I practice Buddhism ALONE. I love everything about it and wish I could share my enthusiasm with others, but at this point I'm through with organized religion.

Remember, you CAN stop drinking AND be happy AND be spiritual without AA.

~Willie J

Rating:
Summary: Read the Big Book ! ! !
Review: I have been in AA since 1977. The Big book seems too simple for some and everyone wants to rewrite it. The writers of Alcoholics Anonymous make no secret that they borrowed their concepts from many disciplines. the Oxford Group was too rigid for alcoholics so they started their own fellowship. Quoting the basics of the parent groups is an exercise in futility. If you practice the 12 steps the way they were written, all your objections would be taken care of. AA is a way to life not a way of life. If I take chemo for cancer, once I recover, I no longer need chemo. That doesn't mean there was anything wrong with the treatment. I do have to take care of my health. One way I take care of my health as an alcoholic is to practice the 12th step and a few other simple spiritual steps. The book was written to prevent the wrong ideas from being taught. AA is made up of a lot of sick people who are recovering mentally, spiritually and physically. To make your sponsor or any other AA person a guru is against all the principles of the program. We are not saints. Read the book. A lot of rituals and sayings go around the rooms. They can be helpful, but they are not the steps. Keep it simple and do what the program tells you. You are not meant to hide in AA. If you do, that is your choice and not one advocated by the founders.
Several places suggest that we are to join society again, not be afraid to go anywhere, become active in your community, church, and family. We are to give back what we have been so freely given. Not just to fellow alcoholics. And what is wrong with dependence on God? He is our creator and new employer. that would indicate that we have work to do. A apiritual awakening is necessary to recovery.

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Summary: An Obvious Ax to Grind....
Review: It's obvious that Mr. Ragg has an "agenda" to push. What he writes about is not the AA that I have experienced. Although I too had the intial feeling that AA was cult-like, I soon found that it encourages freedom of choice in everything they espouse. They don't require that you do anything except have the desire not to drink. Everything, including working the steps, is suggested, not demanded. There's a saying that you get out of it what you put into it, and it's as true of AA as anything else.
Are there meetings and AA people who are less than stellar? Of course, and I have learned to steer myself away from them, which is why they say "stick with the winners." You have to use a certain amount of discretion to select the meetings and people who will aid your PERSONAL sobriety. One is not guaranteed anything in trying to stay sober. Personal responsibility is an important part of staying sober.
If one is truly serious about getting and staying sober, AA is still one of the best ways to do it, in my opinion. The Twelve Steps are principles that can be used by anyone who wants to get his/her life on the right track. Here's to serenity, not
books that attempt to slam one of the great programs ever to be created for human beings. One suggestion: skip this book and
read the Big Book.

Rating:
Summary: An Obvious Ax to Grind....
Review: This book really won't hold any interest to anyone who hasn't actually been to an AA meeting before. It does ring true though to someone who has gone through the process and realized that it does not relate to them. This book does a nice job of confirming the notion that alcoholism is not a disease, but rather a character defect; that the 12-step process is a counter-productive process riddled with endless cliches; and that spirituality nor religion have anything to do with controlling, and ultimately ending one's addiction. I would recommend this book to anyone who has found that the AA process doesn't fit with their ideals or desired way-of-life.

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Summary: Origins & Inner Workings of AA
Review: This may be the most powerful book on AA now available, and it definitely helped me break free from AA. Before then, I had no understanding of the effects on my self-esteem AA meetings and working steps had on me. I thought I cried 4 times a week because it was normal. It is not. If you want to know where AA came from and what their philosophies might be doing to you psychologically, read this book. It is a sobering experience. It certainly can't hurt anyone to read it, even staunch AA members, whom I hope are grown up enough to decide for themselves what rings true.

If, after reading Mr. Ragge's powerful work, you need more proof of the kind of mentality you'll be subjected to in AA, read some of the reviews by AA members. You will see that many of them are so threatened by the book they attempt to mislead others by coming here to rant, rave, and give the book a poor rating.