I wanted to take Stanton Peele’s Diseasing of America as the first book review on my Beating a Dead Horse list because because I like the guy. Actually that’s not right, I am just trying to give an unbiased review- it would be more truthful to say I don’t dislike the guy or at least not too much. He is the bad boy of addiction politics who uses inflammatory titles and polarizing issues to make some very valid points. I need to place a caveat that this review and my opinions are colored by the fact that I have visited Dr. Peele’s website and watched many of his interviews- so my comments go beyond the scope of just his book. It was his confidence (bordering on smug arrogance) during one of these interviews that I came up with the title, a take on Mae West’s quote of “Beulah, peel me a grape”. It’s from the film I’m No Angel that has the tagline “A story about a gal who lost her reputation – and never missed it!”; the same could be said for Mr. Peele. I think his combative nature almost guarantees he will be treated as a pariah in the science of addiction world. Obviously confident enough to take the abuse, I doubt he would even rate an interview or book signing if he stated his views in passive terms so I think his approach shows marketing savvy.
Let me start out by saying that Dr. Peele’s separation of diseases into three categories that include physical ailments, mental disorders, and addiction as a pseudo-disease is something which I strongly disagree. I adhere more to the view that addiction is a mental disorder that is aggravated by physical ailments and chemical dependency. On the other hand, I would acknowledge he has a point about the diseasing of America where we tend to classify (and treat, often by court order)cases of alcohol and drug abuse as addiction when abuse is a more apt definition. It is in these cases where I think Mr. Stanton’s view that “the disease version of addiction does at least as much harm as good” holds some truth. However he often does the exact same thing blurring the lines between abuse and addiction saying those suffering from addictions often “grow out” of the behavior.
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Everyone who has a problem or commits a crime during an episode of substance abuse should not be automatically identified as a lifelong addict or alcoholic. Dr. Peele is obviously right when he says many people end up in 12 step programs through forced interventions or court order that truly do not belong. While we obviously disagree on the total harm this inflicts it would be foolish to say he is wrong. Then there are those that do belong in a recovery related program but the religious nature of most programs of this type generates another problem. My thoughts on this are that programs such as cognitive behavioral training would be a good alternative if enough were readily available and affordable.
Traditional twelve step programs do have sort of a monopoly on addiction. I too wish there were more alternatives but I refuse to bite off my nose in spite of my face just to make the point.
In conclusion, I believe that Dr. Peele is trying to emphasize that by quantifying addiction as a disease that we are opening up Pandora’s Box where discipline and accountability are whimsically trumped by disease and convenient victimization. He’s right, some people will take it too far, but does that mean we give up on those suffering from true addictions? Just as those that agree with me can take the disease concept of addiction past its viability, I believe Dr. Peele does the same with his own conclusions.
What is my Beating a Dead Horse assessment of his AA bashing? Well I give Dr. Stanton a pass because while he has said some inflammatory comments, I believe they are to raise awareness of some valid points in an arena where a dissenting view should always be welcome. Mr. Stanton does use AA bashing as a marketing device, but he does not use it as a shield and is fully competent to defend his opinions. I don’t have to agree with his findings to like the guy, and you don’t have accept what he is saying to learn something. I recommend the book, regardless of the outcome it will make you think along lines that are worthy of additional thought.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
You should send your review to his publisher or him personally if that’s available.
Just a thought – Screedler
for them to show much interest. My local library even had to order it out of area. He has a new book that if I review I will follow up on your suggestion.
Speaking from the perspective of a recovery specialist and part of the design and content development team for “Shawn and Drews 21 Steps to STOP Gambling Sytem and Workbooks” I think Stanton Peele, is doing some really GREAT work.
I came across him quite buy chance, I was in an email string with long time advocate of GA (12 Steps) thinking, Arnie Wexler and he mentioned that “Stanton Peele couldn’t tell a cockaroach from an addict.
At that precise moment, I realized that despite Arnie’s 37+ years of abstinence from gambling? – but still hoping to make from a casino – he was getting a daily reminder (dose) of what an addict looks like!
I personaly think Arnie truly means well, but he is pitching the addict becuase that what he has to do to survive using that type of thinking. (which is not recovery thinking btw)
I have persoanlly had the hands on real life opportunity to experience a state of addiction and it is not fun – on the flip side – learning to recover and how to build your state of recovery into a lasting state is more fun than I would have imagined. Once you FREE Yourself from the 12 steps and GA, it isn’t even all that difficult to do.
It is your approach to recovery that makes the difference!
Addcition is somewhat of an anonymous problem that is losing its cover! Speaking from experience, If I had a loved one that had to get some directional advice on how to recover, I would not assume that 12 steps programs are safe, or helpful – I would also think that Stanton Peele has his thinking cap switched on to HEALTHY, and check with him for some helpful directions on how to recover, and how to percieve yourself!
He doesn’t need a shield! Becuase he is HEALTHY!
Shawn Jordan
I’ve been in recovery for thirteen years, the best years of my life and it is only getting better. Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of 12 step programs but they do have one huge benefit over any other type. They are free, plentiful, and have a local support group that is almost always available.
I know how bad the odds are for most addicts and alcoholics, if gamblers are the same, then the odds are very slim that they will find long term recovery. That is why I am an advocate of almost any positive recovery program and especially 12 steppers because they are the most accessible.
I wrote this review not so much to discount Peele (I agree with much he says), but to point out the fact that many people attack AA and 12 step programs in an attempt to promote their own programs (usually for sale). It seems to happen quite often wouldn’t you agree?
So why do you think 12 step programs are unhealthy?
I think 12 step programs are unsafe, mostly becuase they lack substance!
I mean that in the sense that life has substance to it.
I find it odd that 12 Steps graduates, proclaim their victory by saying I am a (alcoholic, compulsive gambler, etc) and I (had my last drink, placed my last bet, etc.) on Month, day year. I have been free of gambling for # years and # days.
It is a similar methodology to the way that prisoners add up the days served? What is unhealthy – the lack of wisdom that goes into the curriculum.
These 12 stesp programs were built by a couple of people while they were on the wagon and saying this is better for me than being off the wagon.
Did you know that the saying “off the wagon”, stems from the time when the person who was drying out, was not in the bar so they assumed that person was on the water wagon quenching their thirst.
Where I am going with this is; the 12 steps are what? Who leads these groups? Are they healthy balanced stable people, or people who are looking to give back? (Are they giving back to help themselves feel better about themselves or because they actually know what they are doing?)
From my observation it is not becuase they know what they are doing? Recovery requires coaching, counselling, therapy, real life expertise, environmental awareness, finesse, encouragement, and SUBSTANCE!
Spiritualism is important also, but it is only a part of the equation, balance including health, nutrition, humor, friends, forgiveness, simplification, relaxation, appreciation, and unlearning bad habits and learning to enjoying life without addiction are all important!
Recovery is not difficult to achieve successfully if you know what you are doing, unaccountable and unmeasurable programs with people tying an achor psychologically to the problem meeting after meeting, is like a ticking time bomb!
Meeting to honor the day the problem ended? Regularly is not safe!
Then of course their are the groups like the “midtown group” of aa. Well that’s just goofy to the extreme.
If you are not aware of that news article about aa practices gone array google “midtown group”. That will give you an real life news story about aa and the 12 steps.
On a more positive note I do agree that if their is nothing to compare the 12 steps to they are better than nothing. Today their are lots of alternatives surfacing – becuase 12 steps is not effective for near 99% of the people who are in need of recovery help and assistance!
Speaking from my own experience with GA and the 12 steps it was free, and it serves as an excellent reminder of you get what you pay for!
I hope this helps explain my concerns!
But the 12 steps are working for me and countless others. My thinking is this bottom line -
People do physically die from having to much or not enough of their drug or drink – i.e. withdrawals or overdosing. That does not happen with gambling. It is a “bad habit” for sure; but you are not going to die from gambling to little or to much, In fact if you gamble and win people are a happy for you. My family never said – “thank God you were drunk last night”….”Boy we’re so lucky to have an alcoholic for a father”. Now, conversely if you come home after hitting the $$ jackpot – all is well. If you make that big score as an addict, you probably will find yourself dead. If, as I suspect you have never been on an AA or GA 12th step call to the emergency room or psych ward, I can see where you might think the 12 Steps don’t have any “substance”.
But I’m not here to preach – whatever works for you is great!
I think probably our main disagreement would be your observation that 12 steppers lack the knowledge to succeed.
From my observation it is not becuase they know what they are doing? Recovery requires coaching, counselling, therapy, real life expertise, environmental awareness, finesse, encouragement, and SUBSTANCE!
In fact I would say that in many cases it is the doctors and counsleors themselves that become problematic because of their lack of awareness, experience, and situational seperation. At least in AA groups, I have seen that most of their old timers know what is going to happen long before it does and what should be the appropriate response. And AA makes house calls, now that’s substance! Often I see doctors and counselors falling prey to an addicts “tricks” and delusions or treatment is too short or discontinued for financial reasons.
I am aware of the Midtown AA, I did this story “Much Ado about AA Yahoos” when it was a current event. See below for excerpt:
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not condoning AA members acting like doctors and sex fiends (if it’s true), in fact I personally have found very few AA meetings to my liking. But in the worse case scenario, you have got a few AA yahoos that have taken things too far. When compared with the everyday occurrences of an active alcoholic without AA, even bad AA seems trivial. No one has died, no one has gone to jail, in fact no one has even been charged with a crime… they have been called, hold on to your hats, “cult-likeâ€
I cede the point that you think your method worked better for you and may for others, but I do not think you have made a good case to support the unhealthy comment in a general sense. Just like the Midtown group there are always exceptions to the rule, but from my experience I have seen an overwhelming positive and healthy influence from 12 steppers and AA.
Great to hear this kind of debate/discussion, giving different perspectives from both sides. Much more valuable than any kind of unbias review on its own.
Thank you to you both!
I went and checked out your 21 steps. Do you get a discount if you use just 3 of them. Or maybe you could just have 3 and charge more for them –
Step 1 – Admit you have a problem
Step 2 – Stop Gambling
Step 3 – Enjoy life without gambling (my personal favorite)
Good luck with that.
Howdy,
I can relate to your thoughts on recovery and that it is important to do and find what works for you.
Just to state my thoughts and positions surrounding 12 steps or aa/ga etc. I think that depending on the faciltator of the group and the make up of the group, in some areas of the world it will be effective and other areas of the corner it will be weird or ineffective.
The 12 steps don’t led merit to the program the QUALITY of people that are running it DO!
I do know what it is like to be on the edge of life as a result of addiction.
I can relate to alcohol addictions and gambling addictions. Both are very different! One requires a substance to obtian the high the other does not. Gambling addictions are “pure addictions” – meaning your mind becomes of your own design. Alcohol addictions are “substance based addcitions”
In gambling you mentioned the win! Seriously does anybody win from gambling? NO – The reality is that “you think you won! You can even jump around and say I won! This fact remains though, that is not how the gaming industry makes money! You could jump around and say I spent $8000 (plus ? amount of time) to win $6000! That would make sense!
The bottom line is gambling more than 1 bet increases your chance and the amount you will lose substantially! The more you bet the more you lose! That’s how casinos pay their investors, vendors and their staff. No won really wins, even the Casino operators, staff, vendors and investors have loser lifestyles.
To exagerate the problem, part of those proceeds from gaming are redirected back to (through) governments to help them show the Casino how the penny they give them loses a buck! That’s the best play for confusing motion with action, I have ever seen!
Without getting to far off track, it is important to realize that RECOVERY REQUIRES EXPERTISE! You can drink alcohol to excess, smoke drugs, snort cocaine, inject heroin, gamble to excess, etc. In the end it is EVERYONE WHO LOSES OUT.
A GREAT recovery program fills the environemnt and life of the client with SUBSTANCE – for example what are you good at? Did you know that good is the enemy of GREAT! Get out their enjoy life, making your contribution and building an environment that those around you and those after you can enjoy!
That’s the difference between those who take 3 steps and those who work through & beyond all 21!
On a final note,
Alcohol addiction typically takes years to funnel $ away. (In the process you typically lose your productivity and disrupt those who rely on your productivity – the family fortune gets lost in your attempt to take a good time to excess!
With gambling the family fortune can evaporate in as little as a week! When that happens there is very little time to waste being weak, becuase everyone has to get back to work to survive! Plus their is the added challenge of learning to save to rebuild the loss of security that instills confidence, in families!!
There really are no 3 step shortcuts, it takes 21 days to change a habit (that’s how the brain works) and up to 7 years to get the addition out of your thinking (also how the brain works – seven year itch! 7 years for bankruptcy!). If you are still keeping record beyond that, your recovery program is not as GREAT as YOU COULD BE!
TDA-
Your comment about accessibility is on point with what matters to us…
These groups are the only reasonably reliable source of sober friends..
best, jim