the danger of AA

the danger of AA
Friday November 23, 2007

Dear Alice,

I have been in therapy for over 2 years now. And it was at the suggestion of my therapist that I have read a number of your books and have by myself looked at your website.

The most recent article I read on your site was to do with spirituality and AA by a Barbara Rogers….I assume since this article was on your web page that you support her views.

After reading what she had written I felt somewhat confused as at one point not long ago I decided to go to an Alanon meeting. I went into this meeting, but such rage rose in me that I had to leave. Having been ‘abused’ at the hands of some members of the Catholic church, which I was a member when I was a little child, I suppose was at the center of this rage. What confused me was that I had asked my therapist what he thought about my attending an Alanon meeting and he had said, “it probably wouldn’t hurt”. After reading Barbara Roger’s article I felt confused thinking if my therapist supports your views how could he say that my going to an Alanon meeting wouldn’t hurt?

I’d be interested to hear your response to the above.

thank you, t.

AM: I agree with everything that Barbara wrote about AA, and I have also written many times about the dangers of this kind of manipulation, hypocrisy, poisonous pedagogy and confusion. You see that you felt the negative influence of this “treatment” as you write: “I went into this meeting, but such rage rose in me that I had to leave.” Your rage is understandable and if your therapist regards it as harmless, he may no longer be the right therapist for you.