America Fulfilling Its Promise – Part 2

First posted April 13, 2017.

Understanding Washington, D.C.

For every “drunk” there are several “trained” Al-Anon’s.

Al-Anon’s are people who are relating to a person who is an addict. The “addict” is not necessarily a person who is using drugs or alcohol. An addict is a person who acts out of the addictive paradigm and is dishonest, self-centered, controlling, and exhibits confused, disorganized, alcoholic-like thinking. Alcoholic thinking is often thinking which sounds very logical and rational, if you accept the insane premise on which it is built, AND it makes no sense.

In order for the “addict” to continue to function, he/she has to surround himself/herself with Al-Anon’s/co-dependents/ENABLERS.

• Such is the situation in Washington, D.C. (Nunes right now) – “Trying to do the ‘right’ thing for the wrong reasons in a ‘sick’ situation!”

For example –

I have noticed that most of the Republicans have become Al-Anon’s, co-dependents, enablers. Many do not agree with Trump and, like all Al-Anon’s, they are willing to “sell their souls” to try to get what they think they need to survive. Sometimes, this means learning how to “live with the devil.” Every Al-Anon knows this dilemma.

We begin to hear (like we are now) phrases like –

“Oh, it’s not so bad.”

“I can handle it.”

“Wait to see. Maybe it will get better.” (This is a favorite of battered women, along with “I love him. He really loves me.”)

Or, like with the Supreme Court Justice – “If he chooses someone else, he would be worse.” Al-Anon’s use “if only” and “what if” to survive.

It is often said in recovery circles – “For an Al-Anon/co-dependent/enabler, hope is a character defect.”

Al-Anon’s are as dangerous as the “drunk” in their swath of destruction. They just do it so nicely while trying to be “good” and look good.

Al-Anonism is also a dysfunctional disease.

Anne Wilson Schaef, Ph.D.