A food addiction 16-step program is what Sarah Gottfried M.D. found to her liking instead of the traditional 12 step programs per her blog post. Gottfried practices integrative medicine in Oakland, CA and has a website also if you want to check her out. The term “integrative medicine” is another way of saying a physician who works with folks using natural methods as well as with modern medical methods. Thus, they integrate the two so they call it integrative. Seems Dr. Gottfried received benefits from learning about 12-step programs and in participating but she was not totally happy with what she experienced for example here is a quote:
“I object to the patriarchal, anachronistic, and heavily dogmatic Christian vibe of the literature.”
In addition, she cautions in particular women who are trauma survivors per this:
“There is some risk here, especially for women who are trauma survivors and have eroded self-esteem. Dr. Charlotte Kasl, PhD shares my concerns about 12-Step and offers an alternative.”
So naturally, I went and checked out the food addiction 16 steps program. Looks like a viable alternative to me and particularly good for women and not just about food addiction. Just for the record, my knowledge of 12-step programs as a psychotherapist who is a Master Addictions Counselor is any local group you attend may take on a very individual color that is indeed slanted one way or another from the “party line” so to speak. Therefore, “group shopping” is one way to find a 12-step group that fits your values better. In addition, many 12-step groups use this slogan: “Take what you need and leave the rest”. So Dr. Gottfried indeed says she got some good things from her experiences with 12 step programs and it seems to me she has left the rest moving on to the 16 steps. Hey, whatever works for you is the key I say which is very 16-step oriented is appears.