The Cure

cooncatbob · Senior Member

The Cure

louisa · Senior Member

I have no idea but I know that I won't even allow my mind to entertain any book like that for a moment. Terrifies the life out of me.
Maybe some would consider that closed-minded of me but I have no intention of playing Russian Roulette. I bet my alcoholic mind would love nothing better than to be given the chance to experiement again......oh it's cunning alright!!! biggrin

...er....I mean my mind !!!!
Louisa
xx

-- Edited by louisa on Saturday 10th of July 2010 04:29:55 PM

Just Toni · MIP Old Timer

No I have not seen it....

unless you are talking about that man that has his shows on really early in the morning, in a 30 minute info-mercial where he talks about having all kind of "cures" for just about any illness, diabetes, you name it, he has got the "cure"..and has all these fake people calling in about some disease they are battling....and also testimonials of some that claim the his infomation from his book healed them...

The reason I bring this up..."The Cure".......and then some more words...in Hardback....a book that costs about 35 dollars...is the Title of his book....

He must be making tons of money from just the fact that whenever it is that I am awake in the middle of the night
and do some channel surfing... you see him sitting there with his pretty hollywood like "friend and supporter" and the man interviewing him.....

I have never bothered to listen to more that 30 seconds, but I would be willing to bet, that he would also make claim that he could "Cure" Alcoholism.....

Thinking you must be talking about someone else....

Good to see you here, hope your life is good, and you are happy, joyous and Free....:)

Toni

-- Edited by Just Toni on Saturday 10th of July 2010 02:19:36 PM

Lexie · Senior Member

Are you talking about the same thing discussed here?

I don't think it matters much whether you consider alcoholism a "disease" or not--it's certainly a "condition" or a "disorder" at the very least. In some ways it is like a disease and in some ways not. I don't think whether you call it a disease makes a bit of difference in your ability to recover from it.

I also think it is possible to recover without using twelve-step recovery. I think in order to recover and have a full life it's important to do much of what is described in the steps, even if you don't care for the way they are laid out. But I do know people who have recovered in other programs, or on their own. I happen to be comfortable with the steps as they are stated, so I figure why mess with what works for so many people?

The Big Book acknowledges that AA isn't the only way to recover. But this particular "program" appears to be primarily a moneymaker, and with highly dubious claims for its success rate.

It's human nature to want the "easier, softer way." Recovery requires effort, whether you do it in AA or some other way. There are no magic bullets.

Reffner · Senior Member

Scary stuff, but for some it may work. I'm reminded that AA is not the only way to get and stay sober. I choose AA because it works for me. Although I have many different opinions on outside issues, tradition 10 tells me AA does not.

Brian

cooncatbob · Senior Member

That's the guy.
The promise then the hook for the book.
As far as I know nobody in AA is getting rich, but treatment centers that charge $500 a day in the mid 90s still drop their patients off at 12 step meeting and don't even give them a $1 to put in the basket.
People recite statistics saying 12 step programs don't work, well the courts send people to 12 step programs who don't want to quit using and don't want to be there.
You can't get recovery smoking cigarettes out in the parking lot while the real meeting is going on inside.
I put these charlatans right up there with the guy who's going to regrow your hair.
Bob.

-- Edited by cooncatbob on Saturday 10th of July 2010 02:55:47 PM

Reffner · Senior Member

I would agree with not getting recovery by smokin' in the parking lot. However, As a counselor for a d/a rehab center I am reminded, and have to remind the clients there that rehab is NOT AA. Most all rehab centers I know of are based on a 12 step program, but do not affiliate themselves with AA. Seeing what I see, and knowing what I know about rehab centers today, I would venture to say that they aren't getting rich either.

IMHO, 12 step programs don't work for those who aren't ready to grab a hold and hang on for dear life. On the other hand, I have seen people who said that when they get out, they're gonna get drunk on the way to their dealers house get and stay sober. Sadly though, most don't get it. I hear so many people talk about being scared to leave, and not knowing what they are going to do once they get out. I tell them that real life begins with freedom, and that freedom can be found in the 12 step meetings. Rehabs will always have customers because so many people are still looking for that "easier, softer way".

Brian

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Reffner wrote:

I hear so many people talk about being scared to leave, and not knowing what they are going to do once they get out. I tell them that real life begins with freedom, and that freedom can be found in the 12 step meetings. Rehabs will always have customers because so many people are still looking for that "easier, softer way".

Brian

Brian, imho, the codependency that exists in the alcoholic/addict draws them back toward practicing alcoholics/addicts to fulfill their need for social interaction and dysfunctional relationships, in which they feel most comfortable because of their childhood. Unless these folks engage in the fellowship of a 12 step programs, and/or learn how to have relationships with "normal" non-addicts, eventually they will revert back and find people to use with, or isolate themselves. Some will switch addictions (gambling, work, sex...). This is why it is so important for the newly recovering to engage in the fellowship, making friends in the program/ learning how to enjoy life and have fun without mood altering, and even more important, living in a structured (or unstructured) group home, with other recovering folks, for a year of two to learn how to have a functional life. Getting clean and sober is just price of admission to "recovery". It takes years of being sober to mature and get comfortable and Build your sober identity.

That's the process I took and I can't imaging reading a book or attending a seminar and changing my mind about substance abuse. My guess is that those that have success in one of those methods weren't addicts but used heavily through their codependent associations. Often times these folks can find a new crowd to associate with and just walk away from their substance abuse issues, much like the definition of the "problem drinker". Remove the drinking and that removes the problem. Fortunately I am a "Real Alcoholic" and once I was willing to listen and read what I was getting in AA I had no problem identifying as I am a garden variety alcoholic. I'd had enough "Yets" and saw many of the others in the not to distant future if I continued to drink. For this I am most grateful. My greatest gifts were desperation and willingness.

-- Edited by StPeteDean on Sunday 11th of July 2010 07:05:21 AM

FlyingSquirrel · Senior Member

It reminds me of the original title of the Big Book: "The Way Out". They scrapped that idea after a search of the Library of Congress turned up 12 books entitled "The Way Out". They didn't want to be the unlucky 13th one!