7 Myths About the 12 Step Program by Dr. Kimberly Dennis/Psychiatrist: at DailyStrength Doctors and Advisors

Dr. Kimberly Dennis is the Medical Director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. She maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry, incorporating biological, psycho-social and spiritual approaches…

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7 Myths About the 12 Step Program

Posted in Alcoholism by Dr. Kimberly Dennis on Jul 26, 2012

It’s not unusual for certain misunderstandings to surround any organization or group. The following are a few commonly held myths about 12 step groups:

1. Members are told that they will never fully recover. The 12 step program maintains that full and happy living is possible, and full and sustained recovery is absolutely achievable.

2. Members are forced to remain in a position of powerlessness.
The only powerlessness to be found in the 12 step program is that which exists between an individual and their addiction or disease. An alcoholic abdicated all power to liquor; a binge eater did the same with food. Once this powerlessness is recognized and acknowledged, healing can begin.

3. Members are discouraged from having doctors, therapists, or other support. Members embrace any support they deem necessary, whether it be physicians, psychiatrists, dietitians, therapists, or even physical trainers.

4. 12 step groups are religious. The concept of a higher power is fundamental to the 12 steps. However, this higher power does not belong to any church or religion. A higher power is simply who or what an individual turns to in times of need or distress – something greater than themselves. A higher power comforts, extends peace, or strength in any given situation. Every person in recovery is encouraged to discover their own definition of a higher power. Knowing someone or something is walking the path of recovery with them often means the difference between ultimate success and failure.

5. The 12 step program does not pertain to eating disorders because people cannot abstain from food. Half of that statement is correct: people cannot abstain from food. However, they can certainly abstain from starving themselves, or abstain from eating an entire pie versus just a slice. They can abstain from unhealthy eating behaviors, such as only eating foods that are white, or never eating bananas. And, they can abstain from purging after they’ve completed a meal. The 12 step model encourages people to define which foods and food behaviors fall into the abstinence category at each stage of their progress.

6. Groups such as Overeaters Anonymous or Eating Disorders Anonymous won’t work for those with anorexia or bulimia because certain members are overweight. The members of these groups are highly diverse in terms of size and shape; the only requirement for membership is the desire to stop the compulsivity surrounding food, whether it’s eating too much in one sitting or not eating at all.

7. Over-eater Anonymous members are prohibited from eating white flour or sugar. OA advocates no rules in this regard and does not provide specific dietary or nutritional recommendations. Every person is an individual and has their own meal plan, often created with the help of a nutritionist or dietitian.

- Dr. Kim Dennis

RELATED FROM AROUND THE WEB

Had the priveledge to be alive to not only take that 1st step again but Take IT To Heart applying it in every area of my Life. There is such a peace for me today I just had to share The steps are now becoming for me a whole New way of living Life on Lifes Posted on 07/20/12 09:06:16 pm

I would like to hear some comments on whether or not healing a sexual addiction through a counselor or 12 step program is the only way to truly heal the addiction. My BF really struggles with this as he is from the Middle East where they dont have this Posted on 07/18/12 07:38:04 pm

So tomorrow I plan to go to overeaters anonymous support group. I'm kind of nervous because I don't know what to expect. Posted on 05/06/11 10:56:00 pm

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TAGS: Symptoms • Therapies • Friday Tips For Your Life • National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery • Lose Weight Get Fit Be Healthy 2011 • Eating Disorders awareness

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It's this kind of therapist that people like me loooove. I get fresh meat sent to me by the sheer laziness of 12 step therapists. Keep up the great work and keep sending the newbies!

By MarkSullivan Aug 25, 2012

Myths? am I misunderstanding something? When the article says 7 myths about 12 step program..ok if they are myths then where are the truths or facts..misleading article.

By sandyshores Jul 30, 2012

I see 12 step programs as "one size chokes all".

These programs all seem to scream silently "if you are not in 'recovery'; then just what 'are' you?"

In this one man's opinion, shame is the underlying issue and I can only see a group of self-guided people as roaming about trying to find an answer to a problem that is ultimately woven into the fabric of all it's participants.

People need a proper guide and even more proper compassion on an individual basis to help them through life. Radical acceptance, for the individual, is paramount to even get started on the way home.

This is just one man's opinion.

By tigertales Jul 29, 2012

I was in a 12 step program for nicotine and many forget that it is Not a Religious program. Several 12 steppers are highly judgmental of those who are not doing the program the exact way they are. I believe we each can work on our "program" as we need to, but when 12 steppers get nasty & say that "abstinence is not the same thing as recovery" -- and act like they are better than others? I say, they need to "work their program a little harder." They need to show compassion, for anyone who is struggling, no matter where they are in their journey.

By amelah Jul 28, 2012

Thank you for a good article! I think that popular misconceptions about programs like this prevent some people from using them. I think #3 may be the most damaging myth, people in recovery need to steer their own boat!

By ThePepperMan Jul 27, 2012

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