Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Jon Tate's Daily Practice's avatar

Good stuff. I'm for any efforts to eliminate stigma and reframe addiction so that those of us who are blessed/burdened with it can get real help with fewer barriers inherent to harmful societal norms.

I will say, however, that the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous (and the fellowship and sponsorship) have afforded me the transformation - the psychic change, if you will - required for living sober. It'll be 12 years in December. While I do believe there is a need for reframing norms even within the various anonymous fellowship(s) due to the pervasive influence of harmful societal norms such patriarchy, victim-blaming, and white supremacy to name a few, I also do not want the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous to lose their place in the broader formula for recovery.

Lastly, for those who simply can not or will not understand why/how addiction can be such an all-consuming and destructive force in a person's life, I will offer something I've heard which resonates as a profound truth. It is this: "Most people take [the first] drug or a drink and they get high or they get a buzz. Addicts take [the first] drug or a drink and they go to heaven." You can do with that what you will.

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Jennifer M Koskinen's avatar

You're such a great writer -- thank you for sharing this from your personal perspective and beyond.

Expand full comment
4 more comments...

No posts