Synopsis "Everyone's an Addict"
'Everyone's an Addict' is aimed at anyone. The hypothesis is that we're all addicts. If not to the major league isms, alcohol, drugs, food, gambling and sex; or the second division clutter, hoarding, shopping, video games and work; then to the minor league smoking, sudoku, TV shows and the like - something. Addiction robs us of time that would better be spent in improving our own lives and, as a byproduct, other people's. Even those who think they are not addicted, but would like to improve, can benefit. It has a secular approach - supporting freedom of religious belief, or none, for all. So it is suggested that people who attend meetings primarily address their addictions and keep the meetings non-religious. Religion, atheism and agnosticism can easily be practised elsewhere. Those who choose other treatment such as a clinic will find 'Everyone's an Addict' equally helpful to them. This book takes the format of an inspirational comment for each day of the year. Therefore the appropriately numbered 'step', 'tradition' and 'concept' from AA is covered month-by-month. Further 12 step programs like NA, OA, GA, SA and others are given coverage, too. Are you an addict? Do you have trouble stopping drinking once you have started? Is it the same for you with drugs, eating, gambling or violent behavior? Did you indulge in it when your intentions were dead set against it? Do you have other disorders around eating, like bulimia? Is sex something that preoccupies you unduly? Do you have behavioral problems in other directions such as anger, over-dependence on other people, hiding away from the world, lying, bullying and so on? Sometimes it is a multiple problem and the prime addiction needs to be identified. In Twelve Step programs these disorders must be self-diagnosed and the stepper must be a willing participant. Members hope that when potential newcomers reach their rock bottom they will have a moment of clarity and turn into a willing, or at least inquisitive, customer before it is too late. They hope the existence of these programs will come to the prospect's mind at the appropriate time, maybe due to the seed planted by information in a school talk years before, or through information passed on through doctors, magistrates, police, and the press. If you don't feel your behavior is obsessive or addictive, if you are interested in this book to make a general improvement in your behavior, ask yourself a similar question to the one above. Have you behaved badly towards someone when you had not intended to, or perhaps your behavior was over the top? Do you ratchet up an argumentative situation rather than try to take the heat out of it or walk away? Are you determined to have your way for the sake of it when there are many suitable ways to go? Are you controlling of other people or a compulsive helper? Results of these 12-step programs include: the relief of identifying yourself as an addict or someone with problem behavior after years of denial; the pride of being honest with yourself and the beginning of building your self-esteem; knowing yourself better and accentuating the positives. Then there is further self-improvement in the calming influence of meditation. Finally there is the task of helping other addicts and people at large because the programs are bridges to normal living. Vince has written three other shorter handbooks but no more than one is needed in addition to this blue book. Choose from the classic yellow book 'An Atheists Unofficial Guide to AA'; and the latest, advanced, orange book: Secular AA; or the pink book 'An Atheists Twelve Steps to Self-improvement (to accompany any program).
