What do you all think of this? |

luvmyself2
Elder Member

Posts: 752

What do you all think of this? Feb 8, 2012 15:06:07 GMT -8

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Post by luvmyself2 on Feb 8, 2012 15:06:07 GMT -8

I just saw an ad for Passages Malibu, that claims it has a solution to addiction (well at least for substance abuse) that does not involve the 12 Step philosophy of it being a "disease" ...

I went to the website and I wonder if any of you are familiar with this or what you think of their approach:
www.passagesmalibu.com/philosophy.html

I believe there are chemical imbalances, and I actually was diagnosed with one as a child, but it didn't help me in any way from repeating self-destructive behaviors, such as not taking care of myself which only leads to a worse chemical imbalance.

I've also had therapy my entire adult life and never found it to have "solved" anything permanently regardless of what issues were addressed. A few therapists I stuck with for a long time, though many I stopped after only a few months.

So, it's hard to say. Do you think it's healthy to think of our addiction as a "disease"? Does it keep us further stuck in it? Just need some opinions, thanks.

CherryLimeAid
New Member

Posts: 41

What do you all think of this? Feb 8, 2012 15:46:35 GMT -8

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Post by CherryLimeAid on Feb 8, 2012 15:46:35 GMT -8

I don't really have an opinion on this. Does it make any real difference to me if it is a disease or if it isn't? I'm still just as wonky. I do believe that my way of thinking has led to some physical maladies.

I do think of myself in these terms: I am behaving in the way that a person with a similar background and upbringing behaves. It is understandable.

By using that kind of language, I show both compassion to myself and my issues AND still accept responsibility for my behavior.

luvmyself2
Elder Member

Posts: 752

What do you all think of this? Feb 8, 2012 17:45:20 GMT -8

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Post by luvmyself2 on Feb 8, 2012 17:45:20 GMT -8

Yeah, I really feel that whatever works will be different for some people. I know what hasn't worked for me so far, and working recovery through steps/meetings is the last thing left that I haven't really tried, and I have to tell you it feels really good and right to me! I feel that it's helping me to think of this as a "disease" because it's making me take my recovery seriously and aware of how the issue has affected every area of my life.

addicted
Full Member

Posts: 113

What do you all think of this? Feb 8, 2012 18:55:07 GMT -8

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Post by addicted on Feb 8, 2012 18:55:07 GMT -8

I think the site is saying -without saying it -that they do NOT follow the 12 step model of recovery (such as AA). That is what is different about their program. I think it's good that there is an option out there for people who need it.

herenow
Elder Member

Posts: 727

What do you all think of this? Feb 8, 2012 18:56:23 GMT -8

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Post by herenow on Feb 8, 2012 18:56:23 GMT -8

I think it is clear to say from all the research that we have a disease, that addiction is born out of childhood trauma of one sort or another. For many of us it has to do with some kind of abuse, neglect or abandonment. But diabetes is a disease and there are things that diabetics do to keep the disease in check or under control. And because addiction involves brain wiring and there are ways to work with re-wiring the brain I think you can figure on either learning how to manage the disease or perhaps heal enough not to have a lot of strong triggers.
For me 12 step, meditation and several years of trauma therapy as well as regular talk therapy has helped a lot and yet today out of the blue there was the craving, but only for a while and I didn't act out on it and tonight I am fine once again. So I don't know what that all means, I only know for me when I started doing a lot of spiritual work mixed with trauma work I started to stabilize ( of yeah and stopped imbibing my drug of choice---my POA)