There’s an interesting post over on exaddict’s blog regarding the importance of psychotherapy. While I don’t necessarily agree that counseling is necessary for everyone in recovery, I know that it can and has helped many people.
What I find very interesting in that post is the discussion regarding the relation of other psychological conditions (e.g. anorexia) to addiction. This idea is espoused by Stanton Peele, Ph.D., J.D. in his book 7 Tools to Beat Addiction
December 5, 2007 at 11:49 am |
You made an interesting point in that discussion (it was you, right?):
“ame issues: societal acceptance, looking for love, self image, etc., etc. It just depends on one’s particular background how one chooses to deal with these issues. Some people become anorexics, others become obsessive-compulsives, others become “addicts” in the traditional sense (alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex).”
Say that’s right, what’s your thinking about treatment? E.g. 12-step progams seem to work well with drug and alcohol addictions (and with sex addictions too, some find) – but I’ve not heard of it woking for depressives, anorexics, obsessive-compulsives).
December 17, 2007 at 3:04 pm |
Sorry for the delay. Yes, it was me who made that point.
I don’t think 12-step programs are right for everyone (including me). I know they help a lot of people, so more power to them for that, but I don’t think that they are the right solution for everyone. This is evidenced by the fact that anorexia is treated (some would say cured) through traditional psychotherapy rather than the 12-steps. Why isn’t there an Anorexics Anonymous? (If there is, why hasn’t it caught on?) An eating disorder that is often treated through use of the 12-steps is overeating.
Interestingly, as far as I know, that is (one of?) the only 12-step program that preaches moderation rather than abstinence (as one cannot stop eating altogether if one wants to remain alive). Sexual addiction 12-step programs may also preach moderation; I’m not sure, to be honest.
Dr. Peele states it a lot more eloquently than I do in his book. I’m far from an expert on this stuff.