AA

Recently I was discussing the topic of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) with a family member who is a recovering alcoholic and I decided that AA is one of the worst things to happen to our society and our views on rehabilitation. There is nothing wrong in seeking a community and commonality when one is trying to overcome a problem; in fact, it can be incredibly beneficial which is understandable that it is one of AA's biggest appeals. However, the fact that AA forces its members to believe and sacrifice all power over to a higher power is dangerous, ridiculous, and completely counterproductive. In order to get over a problem as damaging as alcohol addiction, one must believe that they have the power to do it; one must believe in oneself and not some higher power that they may not even believe in. Furthermore, telling addicts that they have no power, that only God has power to help them, makes a person (who is already vulnerable) feel as though they have no hope, no real self-control. In addition, it is ridiculous that AA is forced upon addicts who are sentenced in court and that AA is seen as the only option for recovery in our society. The statistic still stands: 5-10% of addicts will recover, with or without AA. I feel that people should try to recover on their own; they should try to find the strength within themselves to overcome rather than become dependent on a God or "higher power" that they may not even have faith in.