Customer Reviews

Resisting 12-Step Coercion: How to Fight Forced Participation in AA, NA, or 12-Step Treatment

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This books is modern. current, excellently, and exquisitely researched, and argued! Anyone who has ever been COERCED to attend 12-Step meetings needs to read this work in order to insure that: a.) they do not have it happen to them again, and b.) how others that have not had it happen yet, can PREVENT from having it happen!
I wish every judge, D.A., and anyone with the power to coerce people into 12-Step programs had to read this book first. It would end the "mutual disdain" that exist of coerced 12-Step meeting attendees towards voluntary 12-Step attendees, and the other way around!

This is the first book I've read that is really devoted to what I consider to be a major First Amendment problem in the last century--coerced 12-step meeting attendance.

This is an eye-opening read, full of statistics, case histories, and information about actual court cases, where 12 step programs were ruled to be "religious." Attorneys, judges, alcohol-drug counselors, members of 12-step programs, and reps from companies with who send employees to drug-alcohol programs, as well as victims of 12-step coercion, should read this book.

I've been going to 12-Step programs, including AA, since 1986. My life has undoubtedly been saved. In my case this is partly because I was open-minded enough to see that what I needed was a combination of the foundation of AA, without which I couldn't stay sober, & other support groups & resources. I originally experienced AA & other 12-Step programs in New York City, where the 12-Step population mirrored the variety of spiritual beliefs and lifestyle choices of that city's population. But I am alarmed to see how fundamentalist Christianity has been coming to dominate AA, particularly in more provincial areas. While AA stemmed from the very Christian Oxford Group, AA's original members/Big Book writers attempted to open the program to all. Approximately 65 years later, as this book says, some people don't come to AA by choice (the original path). There they may feel they can't fit in without converting to Christianity & being a Republican. I'm one of those who has stayed in AA but who winces when meetings end with the (clearly Christian, exclusionary) Lord's Prayer & when I hear fear-based (the "disease" itself), negative statements supposedly based on a very primitive concept of Christianity. At one point I attended because the program helped my sobriety, spirituality and life - but struggled to piece together a patchwork recovery of which AA was but one, albeit essential, part. And I stayed in case other liberals, or people for whom Christianity isn't the only choice, will feel more welcome. I just finished logging several years in a more rural area where I believe I may have contributed to a more open-minded, tolerant stance at meetings. Now I'm back in a city and relieved to see that things have gotten more progressive than they were here before, as well (ironically, also more like what I think of as "the good old AA"!). While one may still have to hunt for meetings where this is so, I am seeing far more tolerance re: lifestyle, religion, politics, etc. - a focus on the essential tenets of the program. So I didn't "Quit before the miracle," at least this one. As for folks being coerced into AA as the only alternative to jail, I think this is completely wrong. More options should be offered. While AA doesn't seem to want to allow this information, I know people have managed to find sobriety and keep sobriety without AA - it is not the only path. However, I do resonate with Carl Jung (who helped formulate the program with Bill Wilson), who came to the conclusion that alcoholics (&, by extension, other addictive personalities) couldn't stay sober without replacing booze, drugs, etc., with some sort of spiritual connection.

This is an important book which addresses one of the greatest threats to religious liberty in the world today.

Peele et al. have done an excellent job, leaving but one stone unturned in their research. Don't forget our women and men in uniform.

Forced AA in the US Military is Unconstitutional

(...)

it would be helpful if the 12-stepper cult members who review this book would actually READ it before they review it. it also would be helpful if they spoke something other than half truths ."the gal who started Moderation Management as a response to AA was convicted of killing two people in a drunken driving accident. AA's response to that was no comment."

this is not surprising given that Audrey Kishline ("the gal") had been not practicing moderation in her own group, but had become an active AA cult member months before the fatal accident. AA members always forget to mention this FACT.

But this is besides the point because she has nothing to do with the topic of this book, as this stepper is trying to make Mr. Peele somehow guilty by association to Ms. Kishline's lack of personal responsibility and to cloud the issue of 12-Step coercion in this country.

the truth is AA is a double thinking religious cult, whose members use their influence to make it the model for over 90% treatment center is USA, and limit the availability of other models.

the truth is, according to AA's own survey, 50% of people leave AA within first 3 months, and 95% within 12 months. of those 5%, 100% are not sober for that period, if at all. AA did a survey In a 1989 of almost ten thousand members chosen at random, thirty five per cent of the respondents reported less than a year of sobriety. the abstinence rate continues to drop in the following years. AA has been around for about 60 years, but only twenty-nine percent of members have been sober for more than 5 years.

the people who left AA were not served by AA's program, and were taught they would die if they left AA and didnt follow their so called "suggestions"

"unless each AA member follows to the best of his ability our suggested Twelve Steps of recovery, he almost certainly signs his own death warrant" by AA's founder bill wilson..

not much of a choice offered there, "follow the "Program" or you will die." "they are suggestions, take what you want and leave the rest". right. any cult would be proud of that double think.

nor is there any real proof of AA' effectiveness, there isn't one legitimate study which can demonstrate AA is any better than no treatment at all. but based on the number that go thru their doors when they need help, a less than 5% recovery rate of people introduced to AA and seeking help is not successful by any standard.

bottom line is, if your being forced into the religious cult of AA, this book can help you find a something which will work for you.

Denial and Deception is what these 12 Steppers have been doing for years now. They have been denying that they are not a cult like fundamentalist religion and deceiving everyone with their fabrications that they are the only treatment (that works) for addictions and even the made-up co-dependency construct.

Stanton Peele, Charles Bufe, and Archie Brodsky has used real science to show that 12 Stepping is not the only game in town... in truth I think a voodoo witch doctor would have better out-comes with treating addictions than joining a 12-Step cult.

Resisting 12-Step Coercion, presents addiction issues in real psychological light, which shows that they are not victimizing diseases that must be treated for life. There is the ability to recover fully and no need to be in some 12-step recovery room for the rest of your life. The 12-steps have been shown, by this book, to be an almost useless treatment model when coercion is used to rope in clients.

I found book to be well written and professional. I think you will find it eye opening. So open those eyes for it is time for the 12 Step Cult to be ousted from the treatment centers they have commandeered from logical treatment. It is time for real mental health treatment to care for those who need it.

This is an excellent work, which exposes 12-Stepping for what it is: coercion.
Our gullible public needs to stop being so naïve... to that end read this book.
Rick Goodner, Author of "Co-dependent... What a Bore and Other Clinical Observations".

Caveat: I did not read the entire book but just reading the sample from the Kindle store, you can see where this book is going. While the author might have some valid concerns about the criminalizing of drug use and the coercive treatment of innocent people, his attacks on AA and 12 step programs are misplaced. His characterization of AA and 12 step programs as coercive and ineffective is wrong and false. It appears as though the author is determined to undermine and discredit AA and other 12 step programs. One could wonder why he wants to do this? To my knowledge, in the USA, no entity or individual can legally coerce you to get sober. Even if they could, it would not work! Only you can get sober if you really want to. You need not fight AA or 12 step programs, AA has absolutely no interest in coercing anyone to do anything or to stop doing something. It does not work that way!!

AA is probably the least coercive place in the world. It is anonymous, participation is totally voluntary, it is extremely loosely organized and there is no hierarchy or organized leadership. It is free, there is no charge or requirement to attend AA meetings. No one is compelled to attend meetings or participate. It is totally voluntary and no one keeps tabs on anybody or reports anything to anyone. If anyone is ordered to attend AA meetings, he or she can easily falsify their attendance sheet. There is no way to verify their record of attendance or participation short of a full fledged investigation. Short of forcibly taking someone to a meeting and chaining them to the floor, there is no way to coerce their attendance.

AA saved my life and helped me get sober and stay sober for over 25 years and it has helped many others as well. The author of this book seems to have an axe to grind with 12 step programs. While every one is entitled to his opinion and beliefs, it is terrible to cast calumny on AA and 12 step programs. It is irresponsible, particularly from a professional in the field, to denigrate some of the most successful tools that combat and defeat the scourge of addiction. People could lose everything including their lives due to books like this. Read it if you want to hear other viewpoints, but keep in mind that this book has a lot of lies.

Resisting 12-Step Coercion destroys the flagrant canard that 12-step groups are inherently voluntary. Indeed, authors Chaz Bufe, Stanton Peele, and Archie Brodsky provide ample evidence that each year, over 1,000,000 Americans are compelled to join this crypto-biblical therapeutic cult or face reprisals ranging from extended jail time to unemployment.

In a penetrating analysis of this disconcerting trend, the book questions the legal, medical, and ethical issues which directly undermine this alleged panacea for addiction. And, lest you fall victm to this insidious method of social control, the authors provide invaluable advice for anyone facing the possibility of forced 12-step conscription.

It behooves civil libertarians from across the political spectrum to peruse this important work!

PANIK Magazine, Vol.2, No. 2

Stanton Peele does it again,the truth is AA can't deal with real honesty,open mindedness and willingness. THE TRUTH IS THE EASIER,SOFTER WAY.

First off, no I did not read this book. Secondly, I gave the book five stars because I didn't feel like I could give it less given my first statement. And I do agree with what I believe is the author's main point - that 12-step recovery programs should not be mandated by a court.

I just wanted to speak to what I believe is the hysteria of some of the other commentors. I'm not an AA, but an Al-anon (12-step program for family members of alcoholics). My experience with the program has been positive. I was told to "take what I like, and leave the rest", which to me was the opposite of being force-fed doctrine. When I got married and had a son, I took several years off, and believe it or not I was never tracked down and smacked over the head with 12-step literature. I'm not threatened with eternal damnation should I not attend meetings. Doesn't sound like a cult to me, at least by my definition.

Being very skeptical about religion and Christianity in particular, I was wary of the 12-step program to start with, but the steps leave the definition of "God" so wide-open that almost anything can be inserted - a source of criticism by Christian fundamentalists, actually. I choose to "hope" that there is some benign power greater than myself who gives a hoot about me, but I'm very aware that this may be B.S.

I don't discount that bad things have happened to people who attend AA meetings. After all, the meetings are open to anybody who claims to be an alcoholic. It's not like there is some central authority figure screening who comes in. Can I be certain that every individual in a 12-step meeting has my best interests in mind? Of course not, any more than I can believe all of the people in a church or classroom or work setting have my best interests in mind.

When I first got into recovery, my self-confidence was complete crap. I was used to a family environment of blame and who's right and who's wrong. I was extremely defensive, and was prone to interpreting other people's remarks in the most negative way possible. If other people are like me, then I can see why they may react negatively to some of the comments and teachings in 12-step programs, because yes there is a large component of self-responsibility and this may sound like blame to some. Participants are encouraged to stop being victims, and stop blaming other people for their problems. Participants are encouraged to focus on their own behavior (what they have some chance of controlling), instead of focusing on other people's behavior (what they probably can't control).

Well, that's it. Thanks for reading my post!