Tired of being shamed into sobriety?

How many times have you told someone about your drug abuse and they elicit Shame in order to get you into a recovery system?
How many times have you been to a 12 step meeting and had half the room tell you how a shame you should be for using drugs?
How long have you hidden your drug abuse or use simply be out of fear that there will be repercussions either at work or in your family life?

Addiction is an obsession or a compulsion just like anything else that is addictive or compulsive behavior. If you are obsessed with sex you are an addict. If you work 16 hours a day you are an addict. If you train for some sporting event for hours n hours on end you are an addict. If you get plastic surgery that is deemed by others to be unnecessary and you continue to do so, you are an addict.

Don't get me wrong people do have addiction issues. I myself has been an addict or junkie for well over 30 years. I've been to 16 inpatient rehabilitation centers Plus maybe 10 to 12 outpatient facilities. I have tried the 12 step method in which it actually almost killed me. The shame and guilt and fear that is bread in the meetings and in the text of the big book. There have been those who have been helped according  to the General Accounting Office of AA (thats the money making side of AA you never hear about) they say that 200 million people have been through the system of 12 steps. 2 million have been helped they claim.

But what of the other one hundred and ninety eight million? Those are the people that this blog is trying to reach. I don't claim to have all the answers. But I do know what does not work. This blog is meant To start conversations in which we can help each other. We're going to talk frankly and realistically. The real world is nothing like they described in 12 step meetings. And the reality of addiction is what this blog is all about. I don't care about popularity I don't care about being politically correct and I certainly don't care if I offend 12 steppers. I'm hoping that the hundred ninety eight million of us that never found any help with any of that 12 step recovery message will be able to come here and give each other some idea of what we can do to  live without shame and without the need to get high everyday. I'm hoping you'll log in and voice your opinions. thank you