Has anyone heard of using 12 step alcoholics anonymous approach to OCD?

[trailwalker53]

Hi.....I found a support group that I'm thinking of trying. They advertise that they use the 12 step alcoholics anonymous approach to helping with OCD. I honestly don't know that much about the 12 steps, but what I do know, I don't see how that can help with OCD?? I am going to inquire with the leader of the group, but wanted to throw it out here to see if anyone is familiar with this?? Thanks!

[5Flyingeagle]

That makes no sense. Alcoholics have a problem. OCD a disease that you can't control. I don't know, I am ones to this my 8 1/2 year old daughter has OCD among other diagnoses. She tells me she has to do it or something bad will happen. If you inquire more, share please. It (OCD) is driving her crazy, me too. I can't even imagine what is going on in her head.

[trailwalker53 in reply to 5Flyingeagle]

Thanks flyingeagle.....I'm going to inquire and I'll let you know what I find out

[ShawnHoldt in reply to 5Flyingeagle]

Saying Alcoholics have a problem and people with OCD have a disease is beyond ignorant. You should consider doing a bit more research before saying things like that. Alcoholism is a disease and your lack of understanding about this is a major problem. Those of us Alcoholics have a compulsion to drink the same way those who deal with OCD have a compulsion to do whatever it is each individual with OCD has a compulsion to do. And to think our compulsion doesnt drive us crazy in similar ways is also ignorant. My Mother has had OCD as long as I can remember, which has brought me here in search of a 12 step program for her. The main thing beyond just the 12 steps of any specific compulsion is the support of the community within that 12 step group. It's important to have that support, mainly for accountability factors and shared, related experiences between us all. So asking if the 12 steps can help you in your OCD is a good start. Building a support community around yourself is the next. The 12 steps can be applied to every area of your life and can be applied to any addiction or compulsion. I would suggest finding a group for OCD based around the 12 steps. Every other 12 step program is based off of the original 12 steps of AA, just tailored to fit whatever compulsion the group is dealing with. Find a place you can relate to others. Find a place that the people speak your language. Trust God, clean house (thru the 12 steps) help others. If you spend all your time isolated, thinking of only your problems and struggles you will continue to do the same things. Self fulfilling prophecy ki d of thing. If you get out of yourself to help others recover, that's where you find the freedom from self we all dream about. I don't know why it works so well, it just does. Good luck in your search for freedom.

[Strongest123 in reply to ShawnHoldt]

You’re on the money! I’m 56 years old and I’ve had OCD all my life. OCD is a disease like depression, diabetes and alcoholism. It’s a constant struggle. OCD can get worse and it can get better, but it’s always there just waiting to sneak up on you. Stay strong. SAMSON

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to ShawnHoldt]

Hi there,

I think it's wonderful that you've come here to support your Mother.

I've heard of many people with substance use disorder who have benefitted from 12 step programs. However, I've not heard of the 12 steps being applicable to OCD.

Exposure and Response Prevention is the gold standard treatment for OCD .

Here are some support groups that might be of help:

ocdpeers.com

treatmyocd.com/support-groups

[Ocdmaybe]

The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to quit drinking. I've been going for 5 years, the steps have been helpful in all areas of my life. However, I don't know if going with only OCD would be justified. But again, the steps can work on all areas of your life. That's why I keep going

[trailwalker53 in reply to Ocdmaybe]

I'm going to look further into it....I guess I have nothing to lose by at least checking it out??

[Ocdmaybe in reply to trailwalker53]

If you do, go to an "open meeting". Those allow persons without addiction problems to attend

[Hidden]

I also have recently started exploring the 12 step program to OCD. I have experienced 12 step program as I am dual diagnosed. Heard about ocd anonymous through my involvement with NAMI. Read through some of their material and am a little confused as how to apply it. For example the only requirement is a desire to stop doing the things that I do. Well I have no choice when I start counting numbers or adding or repeating words excessively as I do most of my waking hours. I think that their approach is to not beat yourself up and that there is hope for us if we can somehow make a connection with others who share our world.

[trailwalker53 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply.....I'm going to look into it some more. Of course I'm sure that we ALL have a desire to get better......but I'm very interested in seeing if this is going to be a productive way to do that?

[Mabelocd]

Long ago, when there was no good medication for ocd, I used the 12 steps for ocd with some improvement. I had already used them in AA for alcoholism.

[RHCPfan]

I actually have thought for awhile there are similarities between alcoholism and OCD and I really think an AA model might be very beneficial. At their core, both alcoholism and OCD are attempts to escape fear or negative emotions and exert some control over an existence that’s inherently uncontrollable. The serenity prayer has been very helpful for me. Also I think the social support and mentorship model of AA are very beneficial really to anyone struggling with anything. I think nothing is worse for OCD than isolation - it just lends itself to worsening cognitive distortions. Also, as someone with OCD, compulsions definitely are a choice, just like drinking is a choice. The only place where things may get hairy is that AA endorses complete abstinence… for OCD, you probably have to write out a hierarchy of compulsions from least to most important, and give them up sequentially.

Can you tell me the name of the group? I’m really curious about this.

[BuffaloGuy]

Absolutely! I’m a recovering alcoholic and an OCD sufferer. I learned to practice the 12 steps to relieve my alcoholism, and began to practice them on my OCD and it really helps! Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder) is a disease that centers around an obsession with alcohol, when studied as a disease alcoholism involves a bit of neurological stuff as well as the basic alcoholic personality. There are in fact 12 step programs for OCD, one is called OCA one is called OCDA both use the same book available on amazon. Similar to Alcoholics Anonymous they are anonymous support groups for OCD sufferers, they have meetings (both in person and online) and use 12 steps (virtually identical to the AA steps except they use OCD in place of alcohol where alcohol is mentioned in the AA steps. You may have to do online meetings because the OCD anonymous groups aren’t nearly as prolific as AA groups.