Criticism of 12-step recovery is nothing new;
however, 12-step programs are increasingly getting a bad
rap for being too “one size fits all,” or not
applicable to individuals struggling with issues beyond
the scope of simple alcoholism or addiction, especially
issues surrounding traumatic stress. "Trauma and the
Twelve Steps: A Complete Guide to Enhancing Recovery"
takes the posture that there is nothing wrong with using
12-step recovery principles in treatment or in
continuing care with individuals who are affected by
trauma-related issues. However, this book also explains
how rigid application of 12-step principles can do more
harm than good for a traumatized person, and that
learning some simple accommodations based on the latest
knowledge of traumatic stress can enhance the 12-step
recovery experiences for trauma survivors. Written for
professionals, sponsors, and those in a position to
reach out and help recovering addicts, the user-friendly
language in this book will teach you how to unify the
traditional knowledge of 12-step recovery with the
latest findings on healing trauma. In doing so, you will
be able to help others, and maybe even yourself, "work a
recovery" program like never before!
___________________________________ "At last, someone
has thoughtfully and intelligently reconciled the
practical wisdom of the 12 steps with best practices for
posttraumatic stress. In “Trauma and the Twelve
Steps,” Jamie Marich tosses aside the rigid
orthodoxies that have hampered both fields and delivers
- in beautiful, eminently readable English - a coherent
treatment approach that is sure to maximize sobriety and
healing." -Belleruth Naparstek, Author of Invisible
Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal; creator
of the Health Journeys guided imagery audio series "It's
critically important for people in 12 step
based-treatment to keep trauma in mind and not
re-traumatize people with coercive practices like forced
4th and 5th steps or misguided ideas that addiction has
nothing to do with trauma. I support these efforts,
promoted in Dr. Marich’s work, to help those whose
choice of recovery paths is within the 12-step
framework." -Maia Szalavitz, Journalist and best-selling
author of Born for Love and The Boy Who Was Raised as a
Dog |
|