Despite the teachings of AA, the Big Book, and programmed members of 12-step fellowships, people can recover from addiction without going to meetings, working with a sponsor, working the steps, reading the Big Book, and doing service work.
Here are the main topics discussed by Matt Finch in this episode:
- 12-step dogmatic beliefs
- The epidemic of ‘groupthink’
- Using deductive reasoning (aka deductive logic) to conclude it’s entirely possible to end an addiction without working a 12-step program
- The ‘One-Path Recovery Doctrine”
- Emotional reasoning perpetuating the ‘One-Path Recovery Dogma’
- Ego-investment and the ego’s defense mechanism in preventing acceptance of other paths of recovery besides 12-step paths
- Living an extraordinary life post-addiction without going to meetings
- Importance of having a ‘Mission & Purpose’ in life
- The necessity of focusing on ‘Brain-Body Optimization’ to prevent re-addiction
- Moving towards a ‘Bigger-Better Future’ after ending an addiction
- Tips for creating and sustaining an extraordinary life post-addiction
- Why AA and NA are great for some, but not great for others
- AA/NA estimated success rates
- Importance of using interdisciplinary thinking
- Healthy skepticism vs being highly impressionable & programmable
- Following your own intuition
- Just say no to groupthink
- Unplugging from the ‘One-Path Recovery Matrix’ embedded in traditional treatment programs, 12-step programs, and society in general
Here are the resources discussed in this episode:
- Why I Love AA But Can’t Stand the Self-Appointed AA Police
- Living an Extraordinary Life Post-Addiction Without Going to Meetings
Right-click here and save as to download this episode on your computer.
I just listened to this episode this morning during my workout on my ten thousandth “day 2” of trying to end my alcohol addiction. I have been in and out of AA for a little over a decade. It has never sat well with me. And back in 2007-2008 when I first wanted to change my relationship to alcohol, there was no other option and the message was strong that if it didn’t work for you, it was your fault. I am grateful for other methods and books with different viewpoints, though I continue to struggle with a lot of the dogma that was programmed into me during my years failing in AA. Thank you for validating my experience. Thank you for this podcast and the work you do. I have known that exercise and nutrition are critical if I am to be successful in ending my addiction. In fact, during the times I have had stretches of more than a few days alcohol-free, I was running or going to the gym every day and eating very well and taking vitamins and some supplements.
Right on, Rebecca. So glad to read your comment and that this episode validated your experience that it wasn’t you but just not a great fit. Wishing you the best on your journey.