AA Conference Questions 2014

Committee No. 6

“Question 2.   Would the Fellowship discuss, share experience and make recommendations on the question of how AA can best carry the message to alcoholics with psychological disorders both inside and outside of the Fellowship?

Background

“I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.” The Responsibility Pledge of Alcoholics Anonymous.

“There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest.” Big Book, Chapter 5, Page 58.

Examples of psychological disorders: Mood Disorders (clinical depression, bi polar affective disorder); Neurodevelopment Disorders (autistic spectrum disorder); Anxiety Disorders (post traumatic stress disorder, generalised anxiety disorder); Schizophrenia, Personality Disorders.” 

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS See also aacultwatch forum (section 4) 

PPS To use “comment” system simply click on “Comments” tab below this article and sign in. All comments go through a moderation stage

Prescribed medication issues

(extracts from I-Say – Grapevine online forum)

“Medications and AA

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-10-06 23:38.

I was on drugs when I joined AA and knew folks who talked like taking any drug, even aspirin, was tantamount to not staying sober. I did not feel I had to agree. I think that part of why AA worked for me was AA people are ordinary folks and non professional and because of this I felt free to only worry about what I could grasp as being true and/or helpful that they shared about such as the 12 steps and all that.

I already knew from experience that it was a very bad idea to take any homespun advice about going off my psychiatric drugs.

I did eventually taper off of the drugs with the help and support of several doctors. I was criticized for that because gossip had it I did not have the support of a doctor. It was true that the idea was controversial among my doctors and the busybodies who knew that were supposed to stay out of that outside controversy too.”

“Getting Off the Roller Coaster

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-09-20 15:31.

I just read this article in this month's Grapevine. It always scares me when AA's are told to go off their medications. I am a dual diagnosis with a diagnosis that, like my alcoholism, there is no cure for and will never go away. Thank God I have a sponsor who knows that this is an outside issue, and the tradition that states we have no opinions on outside issues, and always tells me to talk to my doctor.”

“Getting Off the Roller Coaster

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2011-10-03 10:43.

I, too, have a bipolar type II depression and anxiety disorders in addition to my alcoholism. I once had a member of AA tell me that Step 2 was my problem. That God was all or nothing and hinted that I needed medication because I hadn't fully "come to believe." I was devastated but admittedly I was also living in fear of my mental disorders. This fear proved that I did need to focus on steps 2 and 3 more than I was but I do not think that it means I don't need my meds.

The most confusing part of have a dual-diagnosis is that both of them share the same symptoms (anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, highs and lows of mood, problems with interpersonal and work relationships, etc.) I used to find myself confused and asking "Is this my alcoholism or my bipolar?"

Fortunately, I now have a sponsor who understands what I am going through (my last one did not and told me I didn't need to go to counseling because I was too focused on myself as it was. Her answer was more service work at a time that I couldn't even get myself to take a shower on most days. I no longer resent her - she just didn't get it and she also didn't adhere to the Tradition of having no opinions on outside issues.)

I have learned that if I know I am practising the principles of the program in all of my affairs and I still feel depressed or anxious then it is my bipolar and I need to call my doctor about my meds. And honestly, I can't work my program very well unless my meds are working well first.

In my experience, clinical depression affects my mental and physical abilities to take the action needed to work my program. If I had diabetes and didn't take insulin when needed and went into a diabetic coma, guess what? I wouldn't be able to take the action needed to work my program either.

I can no more "will" myself out of depression than I could "will" my body to produce the proper amount of insulin. Who would tell a diabetic, "Well, if you really had faith in God then you wouldn't need those insulin shots." That is ludicrous!

Ah, but now I feel I am treading on giving my opinion on outside issues so I will end my comment here :)”

“I couldn't agree more

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2011-10-07 15:46.

Thank you for your post, it's well said and comprehensive. I can't stay sober if I don't treat my bipolar disorder and the hardest part is that some days the symptoms of bipolar disorder mimic that of alcoholism. Let's not even talk about how I react to trigger's of trauma. I've spent 12 years without a drink, switching meds, therapists, doctors and sponsors. But I always come back to my sponsor that understands about mental issues, and I now have a therapist who helps me look at MY BARRIERS to the step in the Big Book. He actually pulls it off the shelf and makes me read it out loud and then we discuss what that means to me today. I am so grateful for him. I gave my Psychiatrist the AA Pamphlet 11 - Medication and Other Drugs, as it suggests right in the pamphlet to do, and she was surprised, as none of her patients who she saw had ever done so. I had a major breakdown 6 months ago, but I didn't drink and I didn't drive my car off the road, because AA taught me how to ask for help. I have been in a dual diagnosis treatment center 3-5 days a week at a daytime outpatient program and often find myself educating the staff and other dual-diagnosed people about the principles of the AA program they like to write down on our treatment plans as treatment for alcoholism. It seems most of the clinicians I come across do not have too much knowledge about the true spiritual nature of alcoholism. Many clinicians still talk about medicating the other disorders with alcohol and drugs but don't really understand the spiritual depravity that alcoholics are experiencing because of the alcoholism, drinking or dry. The issue is a very important one that needs to continue to be discussed in forum's just like this. The founder's wrote the very prophetic "more will be revealed" and "we only know a little". The reason this topic is so hot is because there are better medicines to help the "manic-depressive, type of alcoholic, about whom a whole chapter could be written" It was the Grapevine that helped to form the traditions and be a cohesive voice for the fellowship and it seems that this is EXACTLY the forum we should continue to have this type of discussions.

Thank you and all of AA”

“The Roller Coaster article

Submitted on Sun, 2011-09-25 15:28.

I too just listened to this story and found myself getting concerned that the author was taking himself off meds. This is my experience: I suffer from both depression and anxiety. Someone told me as I was coming into recovery that my symptoms were likely caused by alcohol. This always sat under my consciousness and as I came closer to my 2nd year of recovery I decided that I should get off my meds as "they were a crutch" and "of course I could be sober on them but could I do sobriety without relying on them?" Dangerous thinking. I asked my doctor to move me toward stopping the medication. She put me on a program of decreasing doses. I got down to lowest dose and found myself getting depressed and anxious contemplating the next step: nothing. I talked to my sponsor who assured me that many people face need for medications in sobriety for diabetes, high blood pressure, and a host of other ailments-- did I now think that depression wasn't a valid ailment? I asked Higher Power to direct my thinking. I "remembered" that I come from a lineage of depression and that my paternal grandmother killed herself while committed to mental institution and my father had suffered from deep depression and numerous suicide attempts. So I called my doctor and relayed my fears and discomfort. I went back to the next to last dose. So yes, my dose is lower but I still take a medication that helps me keep my brain chemicals in balance. That was almost four years ago. Facing any diseases in addition to alcoholism doesn't mean we are not doing sobriety right. I am grateful for AA and that I am taking care of my body that I had abused for years before recovery.”

Comment: The role of prescribed medication is not only an outside issue for AA as such but also remains beyond the competence of most AA members (ie. apart from those who are additionally in possession of recognised and relevant medical qualifications). Otherwise it is very much the case – MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

“A plea for non-interference” (prescribed medication issues)

[An article printed in AA Service News (Autumn 2011, No. 148)]

“In response to several queries recently from members regarding the issue of medication, this article has been re-printed from the Grapevine [AA Grapevine May 1990 vol.46 No.12]”

“I have a high regard and respect for AA's Twelve Step program and have witnessed countless success stories. AA has saved many alcoholics' lives through support and sharing. As a counselor who has worked in the front lines for ten years, with alcoholics and their families, I am also aware of unnecessary human pain and suffering among recovering members.

Often I have heard AA members who think they know best for all alcoholics and perceive that if you just "work the program" everything will be fine. That is not always the case. There are members in your program who have experienced traumatic, life-threatening events and who need professional help and, sometimes, medication.

On several occasions I have had clients who were extremely suicidal and had sought professional help. Recently, two clients threatened suicide, and because AA members thought they knew more than the medical and psychological professions, the individuals almost died. Antidepressants had been prescribed to help eliminate the suicidal ideations and acute depression, yet AA members stepped in and convinced my clients to discontinue use of the medication. Using the argument often heard at AA meetings, they said, "You are breaking your sobriety if you continue using the drugs."

The two suicidal individuals of whom I speak had been sexually abused as children by three or more members of their families and had experienced other abuses as well. Both were emotionally and psychologically fragile.

Those individuals chose to drink to cope with reality and life, and to numb the pain of their youth. Both realized that alcohol was a problem and joined AA to achieve sobriety. Unfortunately, they had not dealt with the ghosts of the past. Trying to cope with these feelings and to confront them is often terrifying. It requires all the resources a person can muster to resolve and come to terms with the ghosts. Incest survivors often become acutely depressed and suicidal.

Occasionally, because of this acute depression and the haunting thoughts of suicide, more supportive measures are required. In these cases, even therapy and AA is not enough; medication may also be required. The temporary use of medication, coupled with therapy and AA, is sometimes needed to help prevent suicide and to facilitate recovery.

As a counselor, I must admit that I feel anger toward AA members who practice medicine and psychotherapy without benefit of training and licensing. AA members may have good intentions but they can also cause more pain than they know. Members often advise vulnerable, emotionally confused people not to seek medical and mental health assistance, and to take no drugs. These advice givers often don't realize that removal of tightly monitored medication may be endangering a life.

As an experienced counselor, I know I have more background in treating emotional problems of this magnitude than do most AA members, and I resent interference in a recovery process members know nothing about. I have had many hundreds of hours of hard work sabotaged, due to an oversimplified attitude of "If you take pills, you're eating your booze."

It is time AA members realize that alcohol may be only one problem and once the alcoholic is in recovery, other life threatening issues may surface. I suggest that each AA member read in the Big Book where it addresses the issues of obtaining outside professional help when it is necessary.

I do not like to be placed in a position where people want to die and it's up to me to try and protect them from self-harm. I am the person in the trenches, passionately dedicated to saving lives and helping all people recover not only from alcoholism but other life threatening problems. Please stop telling other recovering AA members not to consult physicians and psychotherapists. Please stop telling members that they are "breaking sobriety" by taking needed medication. Please stop enabling members to attempt suicide.

Patricia B. Aurora Colarado”

Comment: Notice the date of the Grapevine article – May 1990 – and cult dogma is still taking lives! We refer you (again) to the Dual Recovery Anonymous section: Medications and Recovery

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(thanks to our reporter for drawing our attention to this valuable article)

Medications and Recovery

(excerpt from the Dual Recovery Anonymous website)

“DRA members often go to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings for additional support and fellowship. Often men and women who have been diagnosed with a dual disorder say that they have received misguided advice about their diagnosis and the use of medication at other Twelve Step meetings. Some have been told that they do not have an emotional or psychiatric illness, and that they are experiencing merely self-pity or some other character defect "You don't need those pills. They'll cause you more problems" and "If you're taking pills, then you're in relapse and not really sober". Individuals who have followed such advice have experienced relapse: some have been hospitalized; some have returned to alcohol or drug use; some have attempted or even completed suicide. To say the least, it can be very confusing. Though we can not speak for other organizations, their literature makes clear that these types of statements are not the official position of A.A., N.A., or any other Twelve Step recovery groups that we are aware of.

On page 133 of the Big Book of A.A. it says in part:

Now about health: A body badly burned by alcohol does not often recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in a twinkling. We are convinced that a spiritual mode of living is a most powerful health restorative. We, who have recovered from serious drinking, are miracles of mental health. But we have seen remarkable transformations in our bodies. Hardly one of our crowd now shows any dissipation.

But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitated to take your health problems to such persons. Most of them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound minds and bodies. Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist. Their services are often indispensable in treating a newcomer and in following his case afterward.

Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

There is also an important piece of A.A. conference approved literature called "The A.A. Member - Medications and Other Drugs" that addresses these issues specifically plus issues of cross addiction. Some D.R.A. members carry copies of this pamphlet with them to help educate others when this issue is brought up. Here are a few excerpts:

...A.A. members and many of their physicians have described situations in which depressed patients have been told by A.A.s to throw away the pills, only to have depression return with all its difficulties, sometimes resulting in suicide. We have heard, too, from schizophrenics, manic depressives, epileptics, and others requiring medication that well-meaning A.A. friends often discourage them from taking prescribed medication, Unfortunately, by following a layman's advice, the sufferers find that their conditions can return with all their previous intensity..."

"It becomes clear that just as it is wrong to enable or support any alcoholic to become readdicted to any drug, it's equally wrong to deprive any alcoholic of medication which can alleviate or control other disabling physical and/or emotional problems.

Reprinted from The A.A. Member - Medications & Other Drugs, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

We also must keep in mind that few recovering alcoholics and addicts in these groups are mental health and treatment professionals. Almost all are certainly well-meaning. Many don't fully understand the difference between the usual depressions and anxieties most recovering folks go through in early sobriety and our psychiatric illnesses--nor should they be expected to. Some people may falsely think that antidepressants are "mood elevators" much like the street drugs they may be familiar with. These are understandable misconceptions, but can lead to poor advice even from some of the "old-timers".

It is clear that no one should play the role of doctor but a licensed physician or psychiatrist. Sponsors and other well-meaning Twelfth Steppers should not give medical advice. DRA members who seek sponsors in other 12 Step groups must weigh carefully the potential sponsor's attitude and understanding concerning medications and psychiatric illnesses. We can not expect them to fully understand, but an attitude of acceptance toward the the nature of our dual disorder and the place properly prescribed medications play in our dual recovery is key. Experience has shown us that honesty is the basis for successful sponsorships.”

(our emphases)

Comment: It is interesting to note here that an outside organisation seems better acquainted with our basic text and guidelines than some of the so-called “AA” groups operating in our midst ie. those collectives whose sole aim and purpose is to transmit dogma rather than recovery, partiality instead of rationality, and seem entirely content to sacrifice whomsoever in pursuit of their particularly obtuse and perverse agenda, all claiming moreover to carry the 'One, True Message' albeit under different guises viz. Primary Purpose, Back to Basics, Visions etc. DRA generously describes this conduct as being essentially “well meaning” or deriving from good intentions. We, however, would ascribe to it rather those essential “cult” qualities of stupidity and prejudice. Here we recall to you the words of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: "L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs" (hell is full of good wishes and desires) or: “The road to hell is paved with good....”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

For people new to AA

A little while ago someone suggested to us that we produce a synopsis of what this site is all about. So here goes....

First we refer you to the "About Us" page of the site - that pretty well sums up what our aim is. But since our efforts are increasingly directed towards helping to ensure newcomers to AA are not misled about either the Fellowship or the programme, it makes sense that they be as well informed as possible. And so to that end...

Firstly - the reliable sources of information:

The first online resource available to anyone new to AA is the official website (Great Britain):

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

Note: there is NO other official website for the Fellowship in Great Britain.

Apart from all the useful (and non-controversial) information made available here (eg. listing of conference approved literature including the AA booklet on sponsorship – also available as a download from the Links section of this site - meetings, general stats etc) there is an online version of the book Alcoholic Anonymous (4th ed). We draw your attention to this book specifically because it is described as the "basic text of our Society". It contains a detailed description of the 12 Step Recovery Programme together with a listing (in both short and long forms) of the guiding principles of our Fellowship - the 12 Traditions. In our view anyone with a thorough grasp of its contents will gain a good understanding of how to stay sober, and, furthermore, how to relate to other members of AA. This publication (together with other conference approved works) forms the basis upon which ANYONE may recover if they wish to use the method described.

And now the unreliable sources of information:

Unfortunately there has developed within AA a movement which we describe as a "cult" those members represent an extremist and dogmatic tendency, and who advocate both a programme of recovery and a form of fellowship, which bear little resemblance to anything contained either in the above text, or the principles contained within the Traditions.

These extremist groups and members have sought through a variety of means to propagate a message which cannot be reconciled with these guidelines. Their methods include the introduction of literature (pamphlets, books, worksheets, websites etc) which purport to represent the AA programme but which diverge widely from its principles. These misrepresentations vary from - shall we say - an 'over-creative' interpretation of AA literature to downright lies. This warped perspective had led, amongst other abuses, to discrimination against dual diagnosis members (see below), those who are prescribed medication as a means of managing their co-existing psychological problems (however these may manifest), on the ground that such people will be “unable to recover” whilst they are still using these prescribed drugs. There is evidence, too, that newcomers are being put under pressure to discontinue other therapies such as counselling, this also being regarded as some kind of “obstacle” to recovery. One of the main mechanisms by which these “suggestions” are conveyed is via sponsorship, a function which has become devalued in the hands of cult members, shifting from a form of service determined purely by the principle of “enlightened altruism” to that of a manipulative and abusive power relationship (or even its mildest manifestation - co-dependency). We refer you to the chapter “Working with Others” in the book Alcoholics Anonymous as a guide to how AA members should relate to someone new to the Fellowship, and how they might introduce them to the recovery programme

The rationale for this authoritarian perspective is founded upon assertions (usually unsubstantiated) that AA has "lost its way", the AA message has become "diluted", and that this is reflected in falling recovery rates, and a retardation in the growth of AA membership. A number of "explanations" are advanced in support of these views. These are variously:

1) that AA has strayed from its fundamental principles (here reference is frequently made to the Oxford Group (previously known as "a First Century Christian Fellowship") - a movement set up in 1921 and attended by some of those who later came to form AA. The 12 Step programme is, in part, derived from some of the principles proposed by this Christian movement. Note: according to AA traditions we are not allied with any outside organisations, which would include such religious institutions, past and present.

2) that recovery rates have fallen since the early days of the Fellowship, and this is a direct consequence of a “diluted” AA message. Here reference is usually made to that section (misquoted) of the Foreword to the Second Edition of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous":

"50% got sober at once and remained that way; 25% sobered up after some relapses, and among the remainder, those who stayed on with A.A. showed improvement."

From this it would appear that a 75% recovery rate was the norm at the time, and the cult then goes on to contrast this with the alleged extant low recovery rates (again usually misquoted or misinterpreted) as a support for their argument. However, they usually omit (and we believe quite deliberately) a small but key qualification to these figures, a short phrase which precedes the above quote viz. "Of alcoholics who came to A.A. and really tried,.....". From this it is quite clear that the above percentages refer only to those who "really tried...", and not to every single person who ever came to AA. And so, for the sake of argument, if one were to estimate that only 20 per cent of those who attended AA fell into the "really tried" category (however one might define "really tried" - a problematic area in itself) then this would mean that the 75% rate would apply only to this subset of 20% ie. 15% of the total population. (We refer you here for a more detailed analysis of recovery rates). From this study we can discern no evidence that recovery rates have fallen over time and therefore their argument fails.

3) that the AA message has become "diluted" because more AA members come into the Fellowship via treatment centres and therefore AA meetings have turned into "group therapy" sessions rather than occasions where the AA message is communicated. We refer you to the AA preamble which is generally read out at the beginning of any AA meeting (if something else is read out at the commencement of the meeting then perhaps you're not in an AA meeting). This starts as follows:

"ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism."

This would seem to be a fairly unambiguous statement as to the purpose of AA, and, therefore, the goal of any meeting which uses this preamble. It does not, however, dictate how this message should be carried ie. style, content, format, with or without artistic licence etc - this is left to the discretion of those who attend the meeting. It is, however, the responsibility of those who have found a solution to present this to those who have not as yet found it, but again the fashion in which this takes place is very much up to the individual. Some guidance on this is given in the book 'Alcoholics Anonymous', in the chapter "Working with Others". We leave it to you to read this section if you wish, and draw whatever conclusions you will. None of these suggestions, however, includes a dogmatic approach, or assigns to any member of AA the right to direct, control, threaten, manipulate, or otherwise abuse any other member of AA - “no lectures to be endured” etc.

4) that attendees at AA meetings might not be “alcoholic” but rather "problem drinkers", "alcohol abusers", "alcohol misusers" etc. and therefore they do not need to apply the principles of recovery so rigorously because they do not face the same consequences as "real alcoholics", and therefore their message of recovery does not carry the same weight. This may well be the case but since one of the more significant factors which stands in the way of recovery is that of denial it is probably better that AA is open to anyone who thinks they might have a drink problem rather than seek to pre-screen those who do not neatly fit the "profile". There are, moreover, problems consequent upon such a policy ie. who decides who is an alcoholic? We prefer the current approach - self diagnosis.

5) that the AA message has become "garbled" because there are more people joining AA nowadays who are dual addicted - in other words, they may introduce matters relating to addictions other than alcoholism to the content of the meeting. However, if they have a “desire to stop drinking" they are eligible for membership, and this solely upon the basis of a self diagnosis. Again we refer you to the preamble, which clearly states the purpose of AA, and which we repeat, is read out at the beginning of every AA meeting.

6) that the message is becoming "distorted" by those members who attend the meetings who are "dual diagnosis" ie. dual diagnosis refers to the situation where an individual has two conditions to deal with: an addiction and a co-existing psychological (serious) disorder. Again we refer you to the Preamble. Furthermore this matter is dealt with directly in Chapter Five: How it Works. We leave it to you to discover the relevant section.

All of the above alibis are variously employed to justify the dogma propagated by advocates of the cult programme, and their members' controlling sponsorship styles. This intrusive approach is further rationalised under Step Twelve: “.....and to practice these principles in all our affairs”. This statement indicates that recovery extends far beyond merely observing physical abstinence from alcohol but includes an entire transformation of one's life style. However, there is nothing to suggest in any of the AA literature that this requires the services of an overseer (human power) to manage the process. Indeed, the cult, through its elevation of the sponsorship role to a form of what can only be described as 'idolatry”, subverts that most important principle of AA – a reliance upon “a Power greater than ourselves”, and, furthermore, as it is made abundantly clear in the second of the three pertinent ideas listed in Chapter Five: “b): That probably NO HUMAN POWER could have relieved our alcoholism” (our emphases).

We mentioned that the official AA website includes a meeting search engine. There are no vetting procedures (quite rightly) to determine which meetings should be included in these searches. However, a number of those included in the list are what we describe as cult meetings run by cult groups, those who advocate the approach indicated above. The aacultwatch site carries some details of identified cult meetings so that AA members may have some kind of forewarning of what to expect should they choose to attend one.

We would remind all AA members that there is only ONE membership requirement – a desire to stop drinking, and that is determined by the individual concerned, and NO ONE ELSE.

Finally:

1) Using prescribed medication is NOT an obstacle to recovery. Dual diagnosis members are just as capable as anyone else of recovering.

2) Receiving counselling is NOT an obstacle to recovery.

3) How you arrive in AA is not important (whether it be via prison, hospital, detox, treatment centre, off the street, your mansion in Mayfair etc – it's WHY YOU STAY that counts!

4) Sponsorship is neither necessary nor essential for recovery – see the Appendix 'Spiritual Experience' for the “essentials” - we would go so far as to say that in cult hands 'sponsorship' is a major hindrance to finding a solution to the alcohol problem.

5) No one is OBLIGED to do ANYTHING by ANYONE in AA.

6) If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself lumbered with a sponsor who thinks otherwise then say “bye bye” and find someone sane!

Cheerio

The Fellas

Link to an article on dual diagnosis

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=9527

In particular it is interesting to note the prioritisation protocols applied by this clinical practice with regard to dual diagnosis:

"Our partial hospital program dealt with addiction issues and mental health issues simultaneously, but always prioritized the addictions, on the theory that you cannot benefit much from psychiatric or psychological attention when you are intoxicated".

This approach represents a 180 degree reversal of the cult's response to the dual diagnosis issue. These (unqualified) individuals insist that recovery is not possible whilst someone is still undergoing treatment (either through the use of prescribed medication and/or other therapeutic interventions). The author of the article, Dr Mark Dombeck, a health professional and a proponent of both the 12 Step approach as well as the Fellowships which employ it, seems to indicate that the primary issue to be tackled is that of the addiction (including alcoholism), which then allows the other part of the diagnosis to be addressed accordingly. It would seem, therefore, that dual diagnosis individuals (according to this perspective) should indeed have access to the fullest possible assistance within AA (and other fellowships) rather than have unnecessary obstacles placed in their way by those uninformed, unqualified and prejudiced dogmatists who are currently causing so much harm, firstly to those new to the Fellowship, and thereafter to the reputation of Alcoholics Anonymous itself.

(our thanks to the member who drew our attention to this article)

The Fellas