THE PROS AND CONS OF
12-STEP RECOVERY
The fact that people have been using 12-Step for so many years attests to its value – at least for some. However, perhaps its usefulness is best served in the early stages of recovery. If a person is in denial, acceptance that they have a problem is key. Being able to ask for help from an outside source is also vital (whether it’s a Higher Power or another person). The quality of surrender can help to break down their defenses and resistance, thus enabling the help to get through to them.
However, once they’re broken down, it’s important to build them back up again, allowing them to create themselves anew.
12-Step could start to become a crutch which simply replaces the old crutch of the addictive behavior, admittedly a much more positive and constructive crutch but a crutch nevertheless.
What a person should focus on is finding the strength and resources within themselves, rather than any external source – whether it’s perpetual groups, an over-protective sponsor or repeating the 12-Step jargon mindlessly.
A new self-identity of themselves as a person with enough maturity to think and make choices independently will show that they are truly “recovered”. They need to let go of the old image of themselves as an “addict” and a person who is “powerless” to help themselves.
Addiction is all about dependence. Is keeping a person dependent upon meetings and saying such phrases as “I am an addict” really the best substitute for substance abuse? I’d suggest only in the short term.
In the long term I’d like to see addicts discover who they are as a whole person independent of any group or community affiliations. A fully grown up mature adult who has used the process of recovery to learn and grow into who they always were inside.
