Q: Is Alcoholics Anonymous, aka AA, a proven recovery method?

A: The scientific evidence, based on research conducted by the Recovery Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, emphatically proves that it is a cost-effective, evidence-based treatment that stands the test of time. AA is made effective by its members’ active involvement in their own recovery, by the lack of rigid rules (contrary to popular belief), and by the fact that there are no dues or fees for AA membership. Furthermore, an AA-based recovery program performed even better on longer-term sobriety measures than other alternative programs.

In this podcast, we discuss the Four Agreements, a Buddhist-inspired way of thinking that can readily apply to anyone who aspires to live a spiritual life, free of the self-imposed burdens of addiction or alcoholism.

We discuss the Four Agreements as follows:

1. The First agreement: Be impeccable with your words.
2. Second agreement: Don’t take anything personally.
3. Third agreement: Don’t make assumptions.
4. Fourth agreement: Always do your best.

In this podcast, we discuss the power of toxic shame and its effect on the children in the family, including an addict or alcoholic.

We learn that:

1. Shame is known as a master emotion, overpowering ordinary, healthy feelings such as sadness or joy.
2. Toxic shame is a debilitating feeling of worthlessness and self-loathing that can last a lifetime.
3. There are multiple causes of it, mostly inflicted by parents onto their children.
4. People who experience toxic shame often have difficulty knowing what they are truly feeling and require help in identifying and expressing what they feel.

In this podcast, we discuss the power of living in the now, of living in the moment as a means of attaining peace of mind for anyone living with the stress of an addict or alcoholic in the family.

We discuss the following:

1. Think about this day as the most important day of your life.
2. Realise that a wandering mind is essentially an unhappy mind.
3. Ancient traditions that taught mindfulness were on to something.
4. Mindfulness training greatly reduces the stress response.

In this podcast, we discuss the ripple effect of addiction on the family.

We discuss the following:

1. Hitting bottom is a family affair.
2. Everything is not just fine.
3. Addiction is not a choice.
4. Detachment and inaction are two different things.

In this podcast, we continue to explode the myths surrounding addiction.

Example myths include:

1. The shame and social disapproval associated with addiction.
2. Stereotypes that perpetuate the myth.
3. Addiction only happens to certain kinds of people.
4. Addiction is a choice. Kids should just say NO.

In this podcast, we do a quick Q&A on the myths of addiction and address other questions posed by our readers and listeners.

These questions revolve around:

1. The myth that addiction is a question of moral character.
2. Why some people refuse to get help.
3. Whether treatment works.
4. Why people think that AA is a cult.

This podcast, is a story about a man named Tim and it demonstrates the power of perseverance.

We learn that:

1. Tim overcame a suicide attempt on the eve of his admission of powerlessness over his addiction.
2. He saw his Stage 4 cancer lifted by the miracle of modern medicine, and his own determination to heal.
3. Although he was high school dropout, he went on to earn a Master’s degree at the age of 62.
4. Tim’s adversity has served to strengthened him and inspire others in ways he never imagined.