Doing nothing doesn’t do a damn thing. It should be one tool in a toolbox. AA is not like the other things on there, just like CBT isn’t like those things, just like medication isn’t like those things. GP1s just landed in the medication toolbox. Addiction is incredibly complex and includes a spiritual component. If you don’t like how the program does it, go start your own alcohol treatment protocol, hell a global network of meetings and instant support, and see how far you get. I’m super eager to see it.
Comment on Save me from going down a dark path
Mulligrubs@lemmy.world 4 days ago“it works for some people” so does electric shock therapy.
So does lobotomy
So does electroshock therapy
So does sleep deprivation
So does solitary confinement
So does brain washing
… and so on. They all “work for some people”.
Not a good barometer for success. Your logic is horrifying
BanMe@lemmy.world 4 days ago
kofe@lemmy.world 4 days ago
I’ve already mentioned this in another comment, but SMART Recovery is a secular alternative that does host virtual sessions if anyone’s looking and can’t find something local. They’re pretty well established in multiple countries now. They’ve also got the website and mobile app with evidence based skills. DBT also has skills targeting addiction. The main reason I think AA can be effective (though its less than a coin flip chance iirc) is due to the community aspect.
1984@lemmy.today 4 days ago
My logic is just fine. Im wondering how yours are, if you think science is the only way to measure if something is useful to a human being.
kofe@lemmy.world 4 days ago
I’m confused what you’re saying science would say is useless. Having meaning? Cuz that’s well supported in psychology. There are many ways to develop meaning in our lives. Science is just a method that helps us figure out what is effective. Spirituality can be effective in helping to form meaning, sure, but people need alternatives if or when it fails.
1984@lemmy.today 3 days ago
Science would say spirituality is useless, even ridiculous, because it cant find evidence for a soul.
kofe@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Again though, science is a tool. I’m not sure where you’re getting this idea that “science would say [spirituality is] useless.”
Also yes, there are studies showing some respond positively. Not everyone. I turned to atheism after decades of screaming to a god that I’ve determined doesn’t exist to help me — so yeah, it’s useless and was even negative in effect for me. But there are hypotheses that holding affirmative beliefs on it has been an evolutionary trait passed down to help the species survive, because we like having answers and what happens after death can’t be answered. Which goes to your point about how we can’t necessarily find evidence for everything we might have questions on. If we can’t find answers we may make things up to quell the discomfort the lack of one can bring to maintain reason to keep living.
Cosmonauticus@lemmy.world 4 days ago
Im pretty sure op said that. He said the religious aspects of AA help some ppl and they’re right. The issue is ppl act like their arent a-religious alternatives which their clearly are