The Real Thirteenth Step: Discovering Confidence, Self-Reliance, and Autonomy Beyond the 12-Step Programs

Rating:
Summary: Dangerous Stuff
Review: Dear Tina,

I am a Certified Addictions Counselor, and someone recently lent me a copy of your book The Real Thirteenth Step. I found it interesting, but a bit misguided. You mention several times in the book how people are put off by 12 Step programs because the person is always "recovering" and never "recovered". There is nothing further from the truth. I can understand you thinking this way if you were relying on heresay, but I'd assume you would have done a bit of research before making this statement. In the forward of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it states that the purpose of the book is "To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recoverd....." It doesn't say, precisely how we are recovering. On page 17 it states, "Nearly all have recovered". It doesn't say, nearly all are recovering. When I hear someone with longterm sobriety refer to themselves as a recovering alcoholic, I feel sorry for them. For, if he has worked the steps, etc....he has recovered. It says so in the book. He is not, however, cured. Just like we have recovered from the flu, we can still get the flu again. All we have is a reprieve until the next flu comes on.

If one reads the Big Book thoroughly, he will understand that Alcoholics Anonymous teaches balance in one's life, and does not intend to become someone's life. On page 19 of the Big Book it states, "We feel that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs". It basically demands we get out into the real world.

However, there is a certain danger to your book. You claim that after someone has worked the steps, they should be able to leave Alcoholics Anonymous and not have to attend meetings. In most cases, this sentences a person to relapse. But even more important than that, if all the people with longterm sobriety leave...what happens to the newcomer? A person with no sobriety needs to see it works for people with one year sobriety. A person with 16 years sobriety needs to see it still works for people with 25 years sobriety. If everyone were to follow the advice given in your book...there would be a lot of people dead of alcoholism. I'm an addictions counselor. I know this to be true.

Charley Warady, CAP
Certified Addictions Counselor