[kettro]

Consider what a lot of people are getting here through — prescriptions. Consider a Grandmother who had hip surgery. She was given opiates as pain killers. She was still in massive pain, and kept taking the pain killers. She became dependent. Is the addiction personal choice? Where is the lack of personal responsibility there?

Another: someone with anxiety is prescribed Valium. Over time, it starts to work less well. They go to a doctor, who ups the dose a bit. Repeat, again and again. At no point was the patient ever not prescribed the dose, but addiction happened nonetheless. And when their insurance stops (say, after losing their job), then they need to keep up, and get Valium any way they can.

These are not uncommon. At all. Addiction from other means is typically a result of mental health: someone is desperately trying to fix something, which leads to drinking, which leads… The same is true for any other drug. If you actually interact with addicts, it is very very obvious. There is a reason that AA is the way it is. I really recommend going to a meeting, just to visit. It will absolutely change your mind, if you are open to it.

[Ansil849]

> There is a reason that AA is the way it is.

What a weird thing to say. Please, what is the reason AA is the way it is? Other than religious brainwashing.

[scrollbar]

Maybe for: Peer accountability, Community, Empathy, Structure, distraction, Spiritual engagement

[watwut]

AA is no more successful on average then any other program. They don't have scientific reasons for what they do either, it is tradition that tries to help, but that is it. It is religious, because it was created by people who were strong Christians and believed religion is cure.