Psychiatry/counseling – self indulgent or necessary extra help for some
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: London, England
Posts: 100
Psychiatry/counseling – self indulgent or necessary extra help for some
I know what it says in the book but I wanted to hear people’s thoughts.
I heard something said by a recovery friend, said benignly, that what did I think of counseling, as he felt it fed the self obsession. I replied that some people benefit from healing trauma or issues that lie dormant. I see lots of people that start to reconnect with dormant feelings, one to two years in, maybe a bit longer and the steps remove the denial but counseling can help start healing the pain.
Also 12 step therapists, who understand the format and process, are even better, but each person is different and has different issues to deal with.
Those who came from abusive or traumatic backgrounds I feel benefit hugely from this but I guess those with more normal background still have issues that arise and need professional advice.
I heard something said by a recovery friend, said benignly, that what did I think of counseling, as he felt it fed the self obsession. I replied that some people benefit from healing trauma or issues that lie dormant. I see lots of people that start to reconnect with dormant feelings, one to two years in, maybe a bit longer and the steps remove the denial but counseling can help start healing the pain.
Also 12 step therapists, who understand the format and process, are even better, but each person is different and has different issues to deal with.
Those who came from abusive or traumatic backgrounds I feel benefit hugely from this but I guess those with more normal background still have issues that arise and need professional advice.
Life the gift of recovery!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Home is where the heart is
Posts: 7,061
My personal experience is that psychiatric problems should not be taken lightly and treated if they arise. My mental health issues and my alcoholism are intertwined but yet separate in the way I treat them. If I do not treat my alcoholism then I will not address my mental health problems and if I don't address my mental health problems then I will not treat my alcoholism. It is a circle for me. I treat my alcoholism with AA and my mental health problems with a mental health provider and meds we agree upon.
So to answer your question no it is not being self indulgent, it is sometimes a component of sobriety that needs to be addressed so one can remain sober.
So to answer your question no it is not being self indulgent, it is sometimes a component of sobriety that needs to be addressed so one can remain sober.
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Right here, right now!
Posts: 3,424
I am not a regular poster on this side of the forum, but I was intrigued by the title.
For my recovery from my eating disorder, and now recovery from a family history and a loved one living with alcohol problems. Therapy has been the BEST money I have ever spent!
It has not only saved my life, but made the quality of my life worth it.
For my recovery from my eating disorder, and now recovery from a family history and a loved one living with alcohol problems. Therapy has been the BEST money I have ever spent!
It has not only saved my life, but made the quality of my life worth it.
Its_me_jen
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Salina, Ks
Posts: 8,547
It is absolutely necessary for some people. For anyone in AA to say otherwise, they're speaking outta their a$$. Sorry, just my opinion.
It helped me tremendously in my recovery and quest for sanity.
It helped me tremendously in my recovery and quest for sanity.
Shape-Shifting Super-Hero
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eating Tofu!
Posts: 882
I agree 100%. Seeing a therapist with years of treating addiction under his belt has helped me a great deal, as well as the co-existing conditions of agitated depression, anxiety and chronic pain. I can't emphasize enough how much it has helped.
I see the Big Book as a guide; when it was written, psychology/psychiatry were still in a very early stage; a lot has changed since then. So when I read it, I take into consideration the historical context, and do not feel it is against the spirit of AA to seek probing, honest insight and help through a therapist.
Certain mental conditions are illnesses in themselves, and nead their own treatment...to ignore them could be another gateway to relapse.
The goal is to stay sober...in my AA group, we talk a lot about finding our own paths, and not taking everythig in the BB literally, just as people might interpret the Bible or any other such text in many different ways, according to their faith and needs.
Hope this helps,
much peace,
H. Pup
I see the Big Book as a guide; when it was written, psychology/psychiatry were still in a very early stage; a lot has changed since then. So when I read it, I take into consideration the historical context, and do not feel it is against the spirit of AA to seek probing, honest insight and help through a therapist.
Certain mental conditions are illnesses in themselves, and nead their own treatment...to ignore them could be another gateway to relapse.
The goal is to stay sober...in my AA group, we talk a lot about finding our own paths, and not taking everythig in the BB literally, just as people might interpret the Bible or any other such text in many different ways, according to their faith and needs.
Hope this helps,
much peace,
H. Pup
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,945
You said you no what it says in the book others may not.bb pg 133 bottom 2 par says, -we should never belittle a good docter or psychiatist-I actually listenend to AAers who said faith would heal me from my mental illness and I was hospitalized.
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Albany NY
Posts: 1,212
For me, going to an alcohol treatment specialist, in conjunction with AA, was an integral part of "going to any lengths" to achieve lasting sobriety.
I had many "shame" issues; of feeling "less than" everyone else.
When I couldn't unload the baggage, those therapists helped me put it on the plane and ship it off to parts unknown and never to be seen again.
Whatever it takes....it takes, IMO
I had many "shame" issues; of feeling "less than" everyone else.
When I couldn't unload the baggage, those therapists helped me put it on the plane and ship it off to parts unknown and never to be seen again.
Whatever it takes....it takes, IMO
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
Yeah, it helped me too.... big time. The gal I found was court-ordered (DUI's) but turned out she's in the program, had about 10 years, and is a 12-step monster (thanks God.... 
).
I think the only problem I see with outside stuff is when ppl who are real alkies substitute the outside things in place OF AA. Done along WITH AA, I think it's potentially very beneficial.
). I think the only problem I see with outside stuff is when ppl who are real alkies substitute the outside things in place OF AA. Done along WITH AA, I think it's potentially very beneficial.
Shape-Shifting Super-Hero
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eating Tofu!
Posts: 882
I think, too, there can be a distrust of psychiatric medications. But for certain conditions, these can be just as vital as insulin is to the diabetic. I'm not sure where the notion comes from that one should not seek help from therapists and the like...perhaps in earlier editions, or just via the dogma of certain people though the years?
In any event, here is a serene thought to mull over:
“We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.”
Chuang Tzu, 400 BCE
In any event, here is a serene thought to mull over:
“We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.”
Chuang Tzu, 400 BCE
It`s ok to stay sober
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central NC
Posts: 20,902
some people benefit from AA and consoling
some are so far gone from "certain kinds of abuse",they will never get over it and attempts to do "certain things" may very well push them over the edge into some horrible "places" where they cannot possible get better,they end up worst than they was in the beginning
I say this because my best AA friend has tried to sponsor a very sick guy.my friend was told by several professional consulers that if he attempted to do in depth inventories he may go into some kind of scoliosis or something(sp?) and he may not come back,it will be permanent.Those consulers have many years experience working with guys like my friends friend.
What happen to this guy was when he was very young,.pre school age....
among some of the abuses he was subjected to was severe sexual child hood abuse by many men and a victim of his dad`s child pornography and years of other abuse during his child hood
I say...proceed with caution
some are so far gone from "certain kinds of abuse",they will never get over it and attempts to do "certain things" may very well push them over the edge into some horrible "places" where they cannot possible get better,they end up worst than they was in the beginning
I say this because my best AA friend has tried to sponsor a very sick guy.my friend was told by several professional consulers that if he attempted to do in depth inventories he may go into some kind of scoliosis or something(sp?) and he may not come back,it will be permanent.Those consulers have many years experience working with guys like my friends friend.
What happen to this guy was when he was very young,.pre school age....
among some of the abuses he was subjected to was severe sexual child hood abuse by many men and a victim of his dad`s child pornography and years of other abuse during his child hood
I say...proceed with caution
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
What med's I might take and why....what doctors I see and how they decide if and what is to be my treatment......
I don't ask my fellow AA members for their opinions.
How I work and live in the 12 Steps...I don't ask my doctors for their input.
That's been working really well for me for years...
I don't ask my fellow AA members for their opinions.
How I work and live in the 12 Steps...I don't ask my doctors for their input.
That's been working really well for me for years...
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: London, England
Posts: 100
Originally Posted by HuskyPup 
I see the Big Book as a guide; when it was written, psychology/psychiatry were still in a very early stage; a lot has changed since then. So when I read it, I take into consideration the historical context, and do not feel it is against the spirit of AA to seek probing, honest insight and help through a therapist.
in my AA group, we talk a lot about finding our own paths, and not taking everythig in the BB literally, just as people might interpret the Bible or any other such text in many different ways, according to their faith and needs.
Hope this helps,
much peace,
H. Pup
in my AA group, we talk a lot about finding our own paths, and not taking everythig in the BB literally, just as people might interpret the Bible or any other such text in many different ways, according to their faith and needs.
Hope this helps,
much peace,
H. Pup
'simple programme for complicated people' as they say, but also a 'simple programme ****** up by complicated people'. I am a tad worried now about how many else follow this line and put pressures on their sponsees to only have counselling from god, he will cure all your illnesses.
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
actually, the book's speaks about seeking outside council - nothing in the AA program is "against it." While some individuals IN AA may be against it, that's not part of the program.
"God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be."
I've paid a price for choosing a limited God...one that was somewhere in between everything and nothing. Honestly, I don't know that I'm 100% at "everything" yet......but I'm still seeking the truth and working on it. I reeeeally don't want to put limitations on what God can and can't do - my ego on the other hand, likes the idea of a limited God. If God has limitations then, well, I just HAVE to impart my will......for the good of everyone of course.......from time to time.
"God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't. What was our choice to be."
I've paid a price for choosing a limited God...one that was somewhere in between everything and nothing. Honestly, I don't know that I'm 100% at "everything" yet......but I'm still seeking the truth and working on it. I reeeeally don't want to put limitations on what God can and can't do - my ego on the other hand, likes the idea of a limited God. If God has limitations then, well, I just HAVE to impart my will......for the good of everyone of course.......from time to time.
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