Are you anxious that your anti-eating disorder therapy plan seems to be going nowhere? Are you desperately concerned about a loved one who tried to overcome addiction to extreme games but fell back? Times, tastes, beliefs and technology are changing.
My knowledge as a social services worker has given me the opportunity to see therapeutic trends come and go.
I think this doesn't apply to a resilient few, the really useful and effective ones.
I am talking in particular about the 12-step program.
It is based on overcoming addictions, not only with coping or alleviating it.
So members of each group must agree to focus on what the members actually need.
For example, take note of the resounding name in combating alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous.
Other programs for addictions have adapted the basic 12 steps, with AA as an inspiration.
And why not, given that the 12 steps can be applied to other areas that have are capable of operating similar conditioning styles, such as remedying addiction to painkillers and other depressing medication, eating disorders, sexual addictions and addictions to extreme forms of recreations.
One high point of a 12-step program is wherein participants have to admit being caught in the web, so to speak, of whatever they are addicted to, and turning that addiction over to a higher power beyond themselves.
While this does not mean that there is any statement on religious convictions being emphasized, many found it exceedingly helpful to have a focus on looking towards a power that is greater than oneself.
One more argument in favor of middle to lower income members is that there is no payment for attending the support groups.
With regards to social interaction, the 12-step program relies on its members to support one another throughout and in between meetings.
What with support being one mouse click away, the 12-step program definitely is within reach.