Extract:
aacultwatch forum (section 4)
“In
this filmed lecture at an Addaction conference, held in Birmingham on
November 2011, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psd5DL5-0oU
George De Leon gives a history of the emergence of the “Recovery
Movement” that has evolved from the Synanon cult through the
“Therapeutic Communities” movement. De Leon stayed at Phoenix
House for 20 years where he was vice president and director of
research. Pheonix House was started by addicts who came up to New
York from the Synanon Cult in California. (2.17 - 09.28 minutes into
film.)
George
De Leon’s “Recovery- Orientated –Integration- System”
advocates putting addicts in a “new role” putting them in “peer
structures”(28.40-29.10 minutes into film). All seems positive, but
it can be noted he says nothing critical of Synanon and the
therapeutic communities, except Synanon “took a serious left turn.”
He mentions Pheonix House, Daytop, Samaritan House, Gateway, Phoenix
House (London), and that therapeutic communities “thrived over the
next 40-50 years.” But he does not mention the many
Therapeutic Community based rehabs where these hierarchical “peer
structures” of recovering alcoholics/addicts mentoring subordinates
have gone horribly wrong, amounting to brainwashing and abuse.
Though
George De Lion may have been be highly influential in forming US
government policy on addiction treatment, his views ought to be taken
in consideration with the findings of other professionals. A
more balanced and less flattering assessment of the emergence of the
American Therapeutic Communities movement and its root in the Synanon
cult is published in a paper titled “Retrospective Study of
Similarities and Relations between the American drug-free and
the European Therapeutic Communities for children and adults” by
Professor Eric Broekaert (University of Ghent) Wouter
Vanderplasschen,(University of Ghent) Ingrid Temmerman (Royal
Orthapedagogical Centre, Belgium) Donald J. Ottenberg, M.D.,
Consultant and Director, Eagleville Hospital, Philadelpia, USA) &
Professor Charles Kaplan (Maastricht University). The following
are extracts.
“…Drug-free
therapeutic communities have had to face the fact that ‘some
elements of their structure, methods of organisation and even stated
purposes’ (Ottenburg 1982:151) may at first sight appear to be
similar to those of certain cults….”
“…Only
if the communities are open to permanent questioning will it be
possible to distinguish between education and indoctrination, between
cults and therapeutic communities, and between charismatic and
contained leadership…”
The
paper was published in Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Volume 32(4)
December 2000 pp. 407- 417. A pdf can be obtained online from
Journal of Psychoactive drugs
http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ujpd20/current#.Us__WtJ_uSp
http://www.tandfonline.com/action/doSearch?quickLinkJournal=&journalText=&quickLink=true&type=simple&filter=multiple&stemming=yes&searchText=Retrospective+Study+of+Similarities+and+Relations++between+the+American+drug-free+and+the+European+Therapeutic+Communities+for+children+and+adults&publication=42857027&searchType=journal A
pre-published copy can be viewed free at
http://www.ortserve.ugent.be/img/doc/definitiefpsychoactief.pdf
Professor
of Sociology at California State University, Janja Lalich warns that
“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.” And “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.”
(Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships
by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias, Bay Tree Publishing, 2006, pp
91, 194)
http://www.amazon.com/Take-Back-Your-Life-Relationships/dp/0972002154?tag=vglnk-c327-20”
Note:
Conference Questions can be downloaded in pdf from the GSO (GB)
website. They are on pages 5-11, AA Service News, Issue 157,
Winter 2013
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/download/1/Library/Documents/AA%20Service%20News/157%20Winter%202013.pdf
Conference 2014 background material can be found on the GSO (GB) website. Follow the “Background Material for Conference 2014” link in the Document Library. http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/Members/Document-Library
Cheers
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS
To use “comment” system simply click on “Comments” tab below
this article and sign in. All comments go through a moderation stage
No comments:
Post a Comment