Cults: Useful resources (continued)

“Janja Lalich is Professor of Sociology at California State University, Chico, known for her study of the inner workings of cults.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janja_Lalich

 "Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" by Janja Lalich PhD. and Madeleine Tobias M.S., R.N., C.S., is available from amazonbooks.com http://www.amazon.com/Take-Back-Your-Life-Relationships/dp/0972002154  and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Take-Back-Your-Life-Relationships/dp/0972002154/####?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356182862&sr=1-3

“There are cults, for example, that focus their recruitment activities in drug-rehabilitation programs, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other twelve-step programs, as that milieu tends to be a ripe hunting ground for potential members.” (Extract, Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" p 91) 

“In cases where alcohol or substance abuse was or is a problem, attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous may help. However, we caution you to proceed into the 12-step world with your eyes open and your antennae up. Despite its successes, this is an area rife with abuses and incompetencies. Hustlers use 12-step programs as a hunting ground for income and glory. Some counselors and group leaders are not credentialed. Some programs are fronts for cults. Even a well-meaning program may inadvertently promote long-term victimization. Although these groups are set up to reduce codependency, many participants become completely dependent on their 12-step meetings and friends.” (Extract, Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" p194)

 “Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" is an ideal companion to “The Twelve Concepts for World Service” and “The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” for all AA newcomers and those who are serving in the AA service Structure. It gives practical advice to anyone leaving a cult group and any AA sponsor who may be sponsoring someone suffering with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or post cult trauma as a result of being involved in a cult group.

The The Twelve Concepts for World Service online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf 
The Twelve Traditions online: http://www.aa.org/twelveandtwelve/en_tableofcnt.cfm 
The Twelve Traditions (Short Form) The Twelve Traditions (long form) online: http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_appendicei.cfm  
AA Tradition How It Developed online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-17_AATraditions.pdf “

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor