Serenity Ranch Blog

Most practitioners in the addiction field tend to drift into a mindset of picking a “side”. Either you are subscribed to a harm reduction or abstinence based 12-step model. It is fairly rare to find a practitioner working  across the border.  In my case, I did just that. I moved from a harm reduction agency to a 12-step based residential treatment facility.  Oddly, the transition was not as daunting as I expected it to be.

I was so used to working in a harm reduction service that focuses on what suits the drug user at the time, that any other philosophy seemed draconian to me. After all, drug services was all about providing needle exchanges, short day programs and substitute prescribing services. I believed this to be, "the be all and end all" of how things should be. 

 In going through the 12-Step program material, I realized that there are far more similarities than differences in the tools taught to clients suffering with addictions by both schools.  I even found elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the 12-Step model. Things like negative self talk featured prominently. I read through the AA/NA big book and realized again that various elements from a wealth of psychological theory and models feature in it.  So it was not as foreign to me as I initially expected.

 I expected what always gets portrayed on TV, a large group of people intently looking at a lonely soul in the middle telling his life story. Fire and brimstone looks all around and a cult-like attitude. What I found was actually quite the opposite. Clients were breaking off into smaller groups and working in teams on their class materials. I found a non-judgmental but realistic approach from practitioners.  I found a workforce who believe that harm reduction does have its place within the recovery process as long as the ultimate goal is to actually become abstinent.

 So why the “us and them” attitude that so many practitioners display? Could it be the old fact value debate rearing its ugly head? Do my personal experiences and beliefs influence my practice? Do I believe I know what is best for my client because it was right for me?  Or is it the 12-Step spiritual aspect that scares people? My only advice as a practitioner who has worked across the border is to look at the outcomes. The proof after all, is in the pudding.

For those of you in the field who are still unclear about what a 12-Step class or group is about, I linked a short extract from a class below. Its called “King Baby”. It is definitely worth taking a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehfzl3Xdl6w&feature=player_embedded                         

Another interesting Blog on the subject

http://wiredintorecovery.org/blogs/entry/10607/