Allo Kym,

Here in Aus, Caduceus is a pagan philosophy that promotes ye oooolde healing techniques (today often termed naturopathy)... I think there may also be a bit of buddism thrown in too.. Is that what you're after? I wouldn't have a clue how to contact them...

The formation of focus groups within AA, usually takes place with some hesistation and often quite a bit of resistance over here. We did have a group for professionals in one of the cities I once lived in - but I don't know how successful it turned out to be. It was set up for the special services (coppers, docs etc) but in the end turned out to be a collective of coppers I think, who really just kind of ended up further alienating themselves. Actually, I think they ripped others off somewhat, not sharing with the "commonality" - as many of us really needed to make peace with the 'copper ghosts" of our pasts, admit that the doctor didn't really force us to swallow those pills etc. I also (personally) thought it went beyond the ethos of unity, you know....the anyone anywhere aspect. If stepping aside and standing separate serves the purpose, so be it. But eventually, we all get to step twelve and realise:

"Our demand for emotional security, for our own way, had constantly thrown us into unworkable relations with other people."

I don't think education really provides any sort of headstart when addressing alcoholism, do you? When it comes down to it, I sometimes wonder if the person who throws their hands in the air and says " I just don't know!" has a better chance than the ones that likes to nod and say, "Yes, yes I know." If anything, it seems we have to work twice as hard to undo a lot of the garbage we are taught or read about people, personalities and treatment - but that's just my view. I personally find the counsellors and especially children of counsellors REAL HARD WORK, when it's come time to try stepping with them - mainly, I think, because they've been living by and talking someone else truth for a real long time. It's much harder for them to speak their own, if that makes sense.

Anyway Kym - I'm glad you're here. Feel free to share on anything. We all do! I'm sorry, I have just wandered straight into a conversation with you.. and I don't even know if you want one! *laughing* I've just woken up over here , and shared my first coffee with you. I don't usually actually converse til I've had at least one cuppa. So I hope I haven't rambled on too much.

But, as with anything, we are only limited by the limitations we put on ourselves. Have yourself a great day and I hope you enjoy life in Virginia Beach.

All the best,

Nic

I've heard that also, walsal.   I can understand both perspectives,,,   that some would feel more comfortable in a specialized group...  like a women's group,,, or men's group,,, or medical group, or gay group....  and that it is better to let everybody meet with everybody and have a cross section of people who learn to understand and relate to each other.  I work in the medical field also, and some people do get grossed out when we talk shop, but we need to talk shop. And I have been at meetings where my ex-therapist has come in and found it hard to share in front of me, though I found it good to know that he is human too. My father was a cop and they do have special needs,, but you are right that one of those needs is not to be further alienated.

This is an interesting threaad with the various perspecitives presented, and I hope all are respected as valid perspectives.

love in recovery,

amanda