Between forcefully surrendering and willingly submitting: Implementing the 12-step programme in treating women suffering from sexual-related trauma and substance use disorder

Sharon Eytan, Tuly Flint

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This chapter describes the application of the 12-step programme's principles of powerlessness and submission to Higher Power in treating women survivors of both sexual related trauma (SRT) and substance use Disorder (SUD). SUD is often a deterioration of self-medication following PTSD. Among women substanceusers the rate of SRT survivors is especially high. Therefore, in treating women with a diagnosis of SUD or of SRT, the existence of the dual diagnosis should be considered. One of the most common treating method for SUD is the 12-step, a spiritually-oriented programme, established initially in self-help groups for treating substance users and later adapted to many others disorders. Though the majority of participants in 12-step groups are women, it is somewhat controversial when it comes to treating women. The overarching principle of the programme is admitting one's powerlessness and submitting one's will and life to the care of the Higher Power; this principle might be perceived as problematic when dealing with victims of SRT who were forced to surrender to their perpetrators. While admitting one's powerlessness can be challenging for men as it conflicts with their masculinity, it might even be more complicated for women, as some feminists scholars argue that this principle is merely a reconstruction of the patriarchal model of submissive women. However, others prioritize the spiritual aspect of the principle and recognize the importance of admitting and accepting one's powerlessness in order to be empowered. Similarly to the 12-step programme, the theory of Spiritual Victimology suggests that the principle of submission can be a source of strength and empowerment. Findings from interviews with female survivors of SRT and SUD who practise the 12-step programme show that they experience empowerment and recovery from this dual diagnosis.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWomen's Empowerment for a Sustainable Future
Subtitle of host publicationTranscultural and Positive Psychology Perspectives
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages553-565
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9783031259241
ISBN (Print)9783031259234
DOIs
StatePublished - 8 Jul 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

Keywords

  • 12-step
  • Sexual trauma
  • Spiritual victimology
  • Substance use
  • Women's empowerment

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Between forcefully surrendering and willingly submitting: Implementing the 12-step programme in treating women suffering from sexual-related trauma and substance use disorder'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this