Science nor shame has any effect of an addict in the grip of their affliction. Does either have a preventative effect? I doubt that as well. Having lived with addictive behaviors in my own life for decades and now having 14 years in active recovery, I can speak to the shared and lived experience aspect of treatment. I maintain a very close relationship with a very large treatment organization and I’m dismayed to see fewer treatment professionals with any personal experience. The 12 steps of AA and other programs are non-scientific and have helped millions of people get free of the grip of addiction.
I do find the argument around the “slipping of societal standards” of behavior compelling. At the same time humans have been acting shamelessly for millennia...the difference now is that we’re able to witness much more of it due to 24/7 media and the Internet.
Good piece from what this layman could pull from it.
Science nor shame has any effect of an addict in the grip of their affliction. Does either have a preventative effect? I doubt that as well. Having lived with addictive behaviors in my own life for decades and now having 14 years in active recovery, I can speak to the shared and lived experience aspect of treatment. I maintain a very close relationship with a very large treatment organization and I’m dismayed to see fewer treatment professionals with any personal experience. The 12 steps of AA and other programs are non-scientific and have helped millions of people get free of the grip of addiction.
I do find the argument around the “slipping of societal standards” of behavior compelling. At the same time humans have been acting shamelessly for millennia...the difference now is that we’re able to witness much more of it due to 24/7 media and the Internet.
Good piece from what this layman could pull from it.
Thanks.