hello all

hi - a brief introduction: been at the recovery game for a year now; and since i have a concurrent disorder i didn't go the AA route right away; needing psychiatric support and insight (which they of course sadly lack). i created a decent good support network around me last fall - using evidenced-based therapies like CBT and group workshops - and after a few relapses in the winter i decided to go to a 12 step rehab.

this, of course, was a nightmare on an intellectual/ideological level, and i fought with counselors over their inane approaches and beliefs for nearly all of 35 day stay. i have always felt it was a cult and this experience cemented that assumption. yet, after i left i continued to go to NA meetings for the social aspect and to add structure to my weekly schedules. I have given that up recently because I couldn't reconcile my own philosophy of recovery with their rigid moralistic, religious, and unsubstantiated approach. I just can't mouth phrases I don't support and watch others wallow in self-effacement/self-hatred when in fact they need the opposite.

anyway, i am here because i think AA/NA needs to be seriously challenged as primary addiction support "services," their time to atrophy is now! it amazes me that they have managed to take over the addiction "industry," despite not being able to prove that their approach is effective at all.

glad to be a part of the forum....
thanks
greg