| Most of us know there is a constitutional law | | | | religion is; a specific fundamental set of beliefs and |
| prohibiting the government from interfering with the | | | | practices generally agreed upon by a number of |
| right of religious freedom. | | | | persons or sects, a body of persons adhering to a |
| And, in case you are not familiar with drug alcohol | | | | particular set of beliefs and practices. So, using that |
| rehabilitation, over 95% of all drug alcohol treatment | | | | as the definition, Alcoholics Anonymous might very |
| centers in the United States are based on the 12 | | | | well meet the criteria of being a form of religion. |
| steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. A fair amount of | | | | The problem recently came to a head when a |
| their treatment programs are devoted to teaching | | | | California judge ruled a parolee, who was an atheist, |
| their patients about the 12 steps, attending AA | | | | was required to complete a 12 step treatment |
| meetings and even working some of the first few | | | | program as a part of his sentence. Apparently, the |
| steps, while in their care. | | | | United States government felt Alcoholics Anonymous |
| Alcoholics Anonymous is a spiritually centered | | | | was enough of a religious organization to rule it was |
| program. Much of their program of recovery has to | | | | not fair to order an atheist to participate in it. |
| do with believing in and building a relationship with | | | | In addition, Alcoholics Anonymous does not work for |
| God, or a Higher Power. And there is nothing wrong | | | | everyone. As a matter of fact, it does not work for |
| with it. As a matter of fact, it is good format for | | | | a sizable percentage of people who try it. Therefore, |
| living and staying sober. Alcoholics Anonymous is | | | | there is a need for change. The drug rehab industry |
| there to help people stay sober, but it is not | | | | need to come out of the dark ages and offer a non |
| considered therapy. It is an "after treatment is | | | | 12 step alternative program. It would be much better, |
| completed", program. | | | | if there were a lot more drug alcohol rehab programs |
| The question is whether AA is actually a form of | | | | that either did not offer the 12 steps, or offered the |
| religion. And does it belong as such an integral part of | | | | 12 steps as well as the option of some other format |
| drug alcohol rehab and treatment. One definition of | | | | which did not include them at all. |