Always appreciate the reminder of a wider lens around sobriety. I’m in the same boat. For me, alcohol was the thing, maybe it will be something else some day, but it’s not/hasn’t been. And sometimes I get sucked into wanting to please others’ definitions of sobriety. Thanks for this thoughtful piece.
yes there are widely varying definitions of sobriety from people seeking treatment, and from those outside of it. Possibly the reaction you witness reflect the polarizing opinions surrounding addiction which make it hard for people to seek treatment to begin with. When a person with a substance use issue is trying to heal, it never ceases to amaze me the number of beliefs they have to reach past so they can make the best decision for themselves.
Yeah, you are probably right. It’s my hope that underscoring the fact that there’s no universal, strict definition of sobriety makes recovery feel more accessible to the people you describe.
Sounds like choose your battles. With so many aspects of RFK's job performance worth questioning, why go to the one that is personal and may or may not affect his work?
Although it is nothing short of tragic that i find myself even remotely saying something positive about rfk. I'll deal with it...
But that's really the key, in my mind: Dealing with things (i.e., reality)
I know of no one that wished to become addicted; they instead turned to some substance or behavior that helped them cope. Without knowing if, or being able to cope otherwise, the solution becomes the addiction.
My bigger concern is that rfk is using cheap political point-making in an absurd quest to pilot thru reality. That is equally destructive.
at least a dozen times in 2024 and especially 2025 so at least in that aspect of his public claims to sobriety he's the real deal. He was kind and gracious to everyone there including me both before and after the meetings.
Also, helping people via 12 step work and cutting off funding that is not 12 step based is not relaly hypocrisy. A lot of people think that "evidence based" recovery models around harm reductions, trauma, psychotherapy, CBT and DBT etc. are far less effective then claimed by "the studies". I think a lot of academics have a hate on for 12 step programs because they dont get to control them, and of course, because they appeal to morality, God and call for accountability. Some people hate that,
A lot of reasonable people, including me, are grateful that RFK jr. stands up for the environment, animals (to some extent), and has the guts to go up against big pharma and Monsanto. We are tired of the media hate-on of him for stepping out the acceptable dem talking points. He gets no credit for being brave. He called out the Covid response hysteria when it was dangerous to do so. He challenges big pharma studies that push things like SSRI's and asks questions. The consensus around SSRI's and many other medications is very suspect. People trust him. He might be wrong on vaccines or autism, but his views are misrepresented as being more extreme then they really are. He gets hate for challenging power. But I don't think he is lying to me. I suspect that is why you lost the subscribers.
I appreciate your perspective
Always appreciate the reminder of a wider lens around sobriety. I’m in the same boat. For me, alcohol was the thing, maybe it will be something else some day, but it’s not/hasn’t been. And sometimes I get sucked into wanting to please others’ definitions of sobriety. Thanks for this thoughtful piece.
Thanks, Josh!
yes there are widely varying definitions of sobriety from people seeking treatment, and from those outside of it. Possibly the reaction you witness reflect the polarizing opinions surrounding addiction which make it hard for people to seek treatment to begin with. When a person with a substance use issue is trying to heal, it never ceases to amaze me the number of beliefs they have to reach past so they can make the best decision for themselves.
Yeah, you are probably right. It’s my hope that underscoring the fact that there’s no universal, strict definition of sobriety makes recovery feel more accessible to the people you describe.
A thoughtful, accurate and truthful piece.
Sounds like choose your battles. With so many aspects of RFK's job performance worth questioning, why go to the one that is personal and may or may not affect his work?
Exactly!
Spot on, Katie!
Although it is nothing short of tragic that i find myself even remotely saying something positive about rfk. I'll deal with it...
But that's really the key, in my mind: Dealing with things (i.e., reality)
I know of no one that wished to become addicted; they instead turned to some substance or behavior that helped them cope. Without knowing if, or being able to cope otherwise, the solution becomes the addiction.
My bigger concern is that rfk is using cheap political point-making in an absurd quest to pilot thru reality. That is equally destructive.
I know the feeling re: saying anything positive about RFK—it was a tough one 😂
I've been in the rooms with Bobby
at least a dozen times in 2024 and especially 2025 so at least in that aspect of his public claims to sobriety he's the real deal. He was kind and gracious to everyone there including me both before and after the meetings.
Also, helping people via 12 step work and cutting off funding that is not 12 step based is not relaly hypocrisy. A lot of people think that "evidence based" recovery models around harm reductions, trauma, psychotherapy, CBT and DBT etc. are far less effective then claimed by "the studies". I think a lot of academics have a hate on for 12 step programs because they dont get to control them, and of course, because they appeal to morality, God and call for accountability. Some people hate that,
A lot of reasonable people, including me, are grateful that RFK jr. stands up for the environment, animals (to some extent), and has the guts to go up against big pharma and Monsanto. We are tired of the media hate-on of him for stepping out the acceptable dem talking points. He gets no credit for being brave. He called out the Covid response hysteria when it was dangerous to do so. He challenges big pharma studies that push things like SSRI's and asks questions. The consensus around SSRI's and many other medications is very suspect. People trust him. He might be wrong on vaccines or autism, but his views are misrepresented as being more extreme then they really are. He gets hate for challenging power. But I don't think he is lying to me. I suspect that is why you lost the subscribers.
It is WILD to me that anyone in NA is still anti MAT. Really upsetting.