Comments on: depression and AA: as bill sees it http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/ making lives better, making better lives Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:48:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Mike http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/comment-page-1/#comment-728138 Mike Mon, 24 May 2010 17:45:32 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/#comment-728138 I have been sober for nearly 20 years and life has been very good. My only concern is people hiding behind the Big Book when members suffer from issues other than alcoholism. At least half the people I have met in AA have had bouts of clinical depression (as Wilson did). The literature says that we shouldn't give medical advice, yet I still constantly hear people stating that "you are not sober if you are on medication". This is a real problem in every area I have lived. Usually this misguided and ofter malicious idea is proffered by some of the least educated, or worse the "personality" disorder types running for "head guru" at the local meeting. AA members need to stop playing doctor, shut up, drop the giant egos, and support people with mental health issues, rather than attack them as "infidels". I have been sober for nearly 20 years and life has been very good. My only concern is people hiding behind the Big Book when members suffer from issues other than alcoholism. At least half the people I have met in AA have had bouts of clinical depression (as Wilson did). The literature says that we shouldn’t give medical advice, yet I still constantly hear people stating that “you are not sober if you are on medication”. This is a real problem in every area I have lived. Usually this misguided and ofter malicious idea is proffered by some of the least educated, or worse the “personality” disorder types running for “head guru” at the local meeting.

AA members need to stop playing doctor, shut up, drop the giant egos, and support people with mental health issues, rather than attack them as “infidels”.

]]> By: Jill B. http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/comment-page-1/#comment-706937 Jill B. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:35:06 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/#comment-706937 After 24 years of sobriety, I still wake up crying and hopeless. I keep going, for my son and my friends. I know how much they love me. I have really tried my best in A.A. to work the steps, go to meetings and stay sober. If you're an alcoholic of this variety, please just hang on, this too shall pass! Jill. After 24 years of sobriety, I still wake up crying and hopeless. I keep going, for my son and my friends. I know how much they love me. I have really tried my best in A.A. to work the steps, go to meetings and stay sober. If you’re an alcoholic of this variety, please just hang on, this too shall pass! Jill.

]]> By: Boysmom http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/comment-page-1/#comment-686631 Boysmom Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:06:19 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/#comment-686631 Wow. Stranger - have you any knowledge of what you speak? Doesn't sound like it. When you use the word "intellectualization" it is clear to anyone familiar with the program that you are not. Wow. Stranger – have you any knowledge of what you speak? Doesn’t sound like it. When you use the word “intellectualization” it is clear to anyone familiar with the program that you are not.

]]> By: Stranger http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/comment-page-1/#comment-681217 Stranger Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:09:16 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/#comment-681217 There is something I see many people who go to AA. They use the 12 steps, the involvement in the AA process, etc., as crutches. They use these things to intellectualize their problems. They become rigorously involved to hide their problems. AA becomes a crutch because it successfully alleviates the bad feelings people have. They stop drinking, yes, in some cases. Some people stop drinking because they never had a problem with drinking in the first place. However, to truly heal, steps are useless. They are only restrictions that keep you on a strict path to nowhere. The steps are futile. The intellectualization is futile. What really needs to be dealt with is the actual underlying cause of your problems. You are not the root cause of your problems. You can enjoy yourself. You can live as you want to live. You do not need to restrict yourself to eventually recover and reach happiness. You need to understand yourself and really look at the problems that caused you to go to alcohol in the first place, and deal with those problems themselves in a straightforward manner. There is something I see many people who go to AA. They use the 12 steps, the involvement in the AA process, etc., as crutches. They use these things to intellectualize their problems. They become rigorously involved to hide their problems. AA becomes a crutch because it successfully alleviates the bad feelings people have. They stop drinking, yes, in some cases. Some people stop drinking because they never had a problem with drinking in the first place. However, to truly heal, steps are useless. They are only restrictions that keep you on a strict path to nowhere. The steps are futile. The intellectualization is futile. What really needs to be dealt with is the actual underlying cause of your problems. You are not the root cause of your problems. You can enjoy yourself. You can live as you want to live. You do not need to restrict yourself to eventually recover and reach happiness. You need to understand yourself and really look at the problems that caused you to go to alcohol in the first place, and deal with those problems themselves in a straightforward manner.

]]> By: cody http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/comment-page-1/#comment-658848 cody Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:17:31 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/#comment-658848 depression is directly related to the 12 steps of AA. could some one direct me to a study or survey to verify this. thanks depression is directly related to the 12 steps of AA. could some one direct me to a study or survey to verify this. thanks

]]> By: Charlie http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/comment-page-1/#comment-637745 Charlie Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:19:31 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/#comment-637745 If I ever get a phd in psychology, I'll write you up a dark and funny story about the sub-conscious mind. <em>Charlie's last blog post..<a href='http://www.annandrichard.com/?p=21'>Learned</a></em> If I ever get a phd in psychology, I’ll write you up a dark and funny story about the sub-conscious mind.

Charlie’s last blog post..Learned

]]> By: depression help http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/comment-page-1/#comment-611038 depression help Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:43:02 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/#comment-611038 This is a lovely post with a fresh outlook and a way of thinking about depression that I've been searching for. Sometimes you read something that just clarifies the way your mind has been looking at the problem. I've known for a long time that my depression is related to my need for certain things and when they don't happen I get depressed. The answer is definitely to stop focusing on your self and to start helping others, thank you for helping me remember this. This is a lovely post with a fresh outlook and a way of thinking about depression that I’ve been searching for. Sometimes you read something that just clarifies the way your mind has been looking at the problem. I’ve known for a long time that my depression is related to my need for certain things and when they don’t happen I get depressed. The answer is definitely to stop focusing on your self and to start helping others, thank you for helping me remember this.

]]> By: Alexander M Zoltai http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/comment-page-1/#comment-529067 Alexander M Zoltai Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:56:34 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-aa-as-bill-sees-it/#comment-529067 Wonderful post! I want to say, "If Bill could do it, anyone can." He wasn't the most despicable drunk but he was one of the most egotistical. Jung spoke of the archetypes having the power to inflate the ego--rather like psychological shock therapy. Could someone please write an essay about the dark humor of the unconscious? ~ Alex from <a href="http://amzuri.wordpress.com/">Our Evolution</a> <em>Alexander M Zoltai's last blog post..<a href='http://amzuri.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/rationale-for-this-blog/'>Rationale for This Blog</a></em> Wonderful post!

I want to say, “If Bill could do it, anyone can.”

He wasn’t the most despicable drunk but he was one of the most egotistical.

Jung spoke of the archetypes having the power to inflate the ego–rather like psychological shock therapy.

Could someone please write an essay about the dark humor of the unconscious?

~ Alex from Our Evolution

Alexander M Zoltai’s last blog post..Rationale for This Blog

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