From: you@somehost.somedomain (Dr John)
Date: Sat, 04 Feb 95 13:12:18 PST
Newsgroups: alt.drugs,alt.drugs.hard
Subject: Re: "preponderance of 12-step .."

In article <3gtp3t$dto@lucy.infi.net>, dynasor@infi.net says...

>: The 12 steps (like the scientologists) has only spread all over the 
world
>: because they brainwash you.
>
>Oh, hell, they do not. Check up on what brainwashing entails.

Would you say that the people at Wako were brain washed?

If you are in treatment then attendance in the N.A and A.A meetings is 
compulsory, they make you pass around a book and read from it, there is a 
prayer for the addict that hasn't yet recovered and you go into a huddle 
and do a chant.

They bring flags and banners into the room and shove them all over the 
wall - and if you are dumb enough to let them know your phone number then 
they keep ringing you and try to get you to come to meetings after 
treatment.  I was also encouraged to bring my 'addict friends' along by 
telling them how great it was, and they threatened to come around in a 
car to pick me up if I missed a meeting.

I'm telling you, it was like a cult!
Please don't think I am saying that N.A doesn't have a place, but its 
just that they can take recreational users and fuck them up - they are 
supposed to be secular, but god is splattered all over the walls at the 
meetings and Jesus is neck deep.   You are considered to be some sort of 
failure if you are on methadone, but N.A is so addictive itself that ex 
users still go to meetings 10 years after they have quit.

Just out of interest have you ever been to a meeting - or have you just 
sent others along without checking it out yourself?


