One of the most successful counseling models around is Cognative Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. Here's a short article from the BBC on it-
There are plenty of people I know who have gotten a lot out of it and, while it is no magic bullet for severe cases of addiction, it holds the potential to deal with many of the contributing factors. This popped up during my research on brain plasticity.
If you are wondering why I have not posted for a few days, here's a list of things going on-
Construction at the church
Sick wife
Parish duties
Mysterious computer problems leading to three trips to the tech dude
Lent
More Lent
Construction at my house
Dealing with a contractor who screwed up
Dealing with a child's learning issues (too bad I can't just let him run around with a BB gun all day, which is mostly what he needs)
Research for my presentation on pornography, which is taking some really odd turns
Did I mention Lent?
Writer's block, which is a clear sign of stress
That's a partial list. Gee, I wonder why I am stressed? Am I getting weak?
Anyway, these things shall all pass, and some of them already have or are packing their bags.
Back to CBT: I do think that most self-identified addicts would get as much help from CBT as they would a 12 Step group, mostly because modern society is so distorted that we need help finding normal. Of course, this pre-supposes that the CBT therapist you are going to has the kind of 'normal' you are looking for. Make sure to pop the hood and ask lots of questions before you sign up with any therapist. There are some real nut-jobs out there.
The same is true of clergy, and this is why in the traditional Orthodox setting, church life is usually not centered on the priest, but the Church. These days in America, we tend to make the church all about the priest, who has to 'recruit' and 'retain' 'members.' This is why the 'successful' priests end up with all kinds of ego temptations, and many of them fall.
While no Christian should be ashamed of getting help, woe to the priest who lets it be known that he needs help. You may be surprised how judgmental people can be towards someone they call 'father.' But, given how little respect most American fathers get these days, it is little wonder.
Changing attitudes starts with ourselves.
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