Second Life Rehab??

I can't even come up with a good question. it's not often I can't formulate an opinion on something.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,562493,00.html

I want this to be a good thing. I feel like it really is, but I also have my doubts. Treating alcoholism is pretty serious business, and if it's not done right, the potential to catastrophically screw up someone's life makes it not worth taking a lot of risks. I'm worried that people might not take their problem as seriously and substitute playing on SL for actually doing the incredibly hard work that recovery takes.

So here's the Resident Question, just so I don't get yelled at...probably by Brenda. You know how she gets...

What do you all think about this? Good thing? Bad thing?

I sure would like to see the study and the raw data that is used to support it. It sounds way to easy for someone to fake through, especially with the anonymity provided by the avitars. I think I would be very leery.

This will not end well.

Interesting read. I've never had an addiction to alcohol but have known some who do. I've known some who have overcome it through therapy and others who overcame it with other methods...some who never got over it all. I agree with Damien about the anonymity of the avatars making it far too easy to fake. A lot of people never make it through therapy or if they do continue their meetings they are still having the problem away from the meetings. I think it is one of those things where it has the possibility to really benefit someone and the possibility to be taken advantage of also....just like real life therapy. If it ends up helping even one person then I guess thats what counts in the end.

I wouldn't touch it with a 10 meter prim. Substance Abuse is a RL problem, and needs Real life Help.I would never suggest someone seek treatment in SL.

maybe a support group or something...not an actual rehab....somewhere ppl can go talk without ppl knowing who they are might be nice

Depends on the level it's taken to.

For instance, providing information and places to turn to is a good thing.

Beyond that, sooner or later there is a level where "help" won't be very useful, or possibly even damaging.

* * * * *

Oxymoronically perhaps, I have residents come to me with regularity, wondering if they are internet addicted.

Usually these are people who are online a great deal, after having little virtual world experience but then find themselves utterly engrossed for several months.

I refer them to a professional inworld psychologist I know - not for treatment per se, but for access to professional resources and perhaps a little very basic guidance.

For instance, if a person's RL is chronically suffering due to computer use, that's certainly worth some introspection. If a person absolutely refuses to log out and get help, they may as well get what help there is to be had inworld, for starters.

I read it as meaning that it was an RL therapy centre that was using SL, and that SL was part of a program, not that all the therapy was happening in SL.

It also says that Identity Island is not accessible to LL, which presumably means it's an Opensim or some other standalone version of SL.

An interesting idea. Obviously a lot of people find SL compelling otherwise it would not be the success that it is. So maybe the act of joining SL and being absorbed by it is as important as the actual virtual therapy.

While we're on the subject of addiction, there is another aspect - SL itself is addictive and there must be cases of people who need therapy to combat their SL addiction. But can that be done in a virual world? Maybe by creating an alt. as the newbie guy in the white T shirt and standing him all day in the middle of Goguen sandbox would be a cure for SL addiction!

Being yelled at by Brenda is usually a bad thing. Unless you are into that kind of thing, in that case it would be a good thing.

The article is goopy---sensationalized and condescending. I mean, a virtual beach! Gimme a break.

The idea, I think, could work in the right hands. There would have to be sound therapy behind it, and a talented therapist, but that is true in any case. I think it could make it easier for people to make it to meetings if all they had to do was sit down at the computer rather than battle traffic.

But mostly, I find the concept of SL allowing you to put some distance between you and your actions very true. I don't think in terms of confession, but I've found more detachment here in SL than in years of dharma work. I can usually see what I am doing here without being confused by the emotional immediacy of RL. I tend to be introspective, though, so it might not work that way for everyone. But it would be an interesting tool if it did.

Oh, and as far as anonymity goes, it is a core concept in the treatment of alcoholism! Ever heard of Alcoholics Anonymous?

I can see some value to it, but not a total replacement for actual therapy.

My sister, the psychologist, was curious about SL having Support Groups. I told her we have 'em.

If she comes into SL- I'm Outta here!!! (sibling rivalry)

She hasnt had a drink in 2 years. Guess that really says it all doesnt it? AA has been in SL a long time helping many people and being a support to the RL meetings that go on. I dont care who or how...if it helps, then I think it is great. I am still surprised at how people dont understand the healing that SL is capable of in others. From those that were abused as children...being able to come to SL and relive a childhood lost; to those who suffer illness and come to SL to do things they cant in RL. And to those like me who suffered a true RL trauma...and found SL as a stepping stone to being able to function again in RL. SL can be a healing experience in many ways.

Sounds to me like it's simply replacing one addiction with another...we all know how addictive SL is. However, I also see SL as the lesser addiction

That's the way I see it... SL is my current addiction that replaces a $60 per week Anime/Manga addiction. My family is happy to see the monies again, but they ain't seeing me much more than before. (=_=)y

"I give the pigeons my methadone so they come back!" - Grandpa Funk (Robin Williams) (^_^)y

Mixed feelings.

I used to counsel people who had partners that had a different type of addiction (I won't go into the whole thing right now). Treating addictions is very difficult work and I really can't see how just using a virtual environment can possibly be a "cure".

I can see how it might be beneficial as a support to some but then again, it does smack of being a crutch to me. And seems like addiction replacement since SL does have the potential of being highly compulsive to many people especially those already prone to this type of behavior. Even I, who do not normally fall into obsessive/compulsive things sure had my days of being at the computer far longer than I intended.

In the end I still believe RL counseling/therapy and interaction with people in person is the way to go. Hiding behind a computer monitor is still hiding your addiction. Not confronting it entirely.

It's a start, for sure. But eventually you have to step forward and admit the whole thing to your friends, family, the world in order for it to take hold and really have an effect on your life. I know, I speak from experience - unfortunately, I'm dealing with someone right now in my life who is hiding this, not dealing with it completely. So, I have very deep feelings about it, combined with the work I've done myself with others.

My 2 cents.

A couple of reactions. First, all treatment types for behavioral and mental problems have very different responses by different groups of people. There's been a lot of progress in identifying individual differences that can predict success of specific drug therapies; rather less progress finding such predictors for choosing between "talk therapy" or drugs for some disorders; and really almost nothing very useful for choosing among approaches to "talk therapies." And then there's the complexity that actual treatment programs for most disorders combine approaches, often in ways tailored to the individual by subjective (or even unconscious) ways by those who administer treatment. So the science here is incredibly difficult--and not very good, NIMH's research budget notwithstanding.

But virtual worlds can surely offer something to the mix of treatment options, if we really knew enough about how and when to use them. At least for some individuals, SL induces a degree of suggestibility akin to hypnosis. And for probably a broader population, it makes possible role play for which RL inhibitions might pose insurmountable barriers, at least early in treatment.

I can easily imagine, for example, a place for SL in effective smoking cessation therapy. (But come to think of it, probably not very effectively for those whose computer use is a trigger for smoking.)

AA (as well as other fellowships) exists in SL. The meetings are as real as any meeting in the real world. The only difference is there is more typing in SL

Some people attend SL meetings in addition to RL ones, as a kind of supplement. Others only go to SL meetings for a variety of reasons. And some attend their first meeting in SL and then go on to go to RL meetings as well.

The AA meetings in SL are all open, anyone can attend. The anonymity that SL brings to the table seems to be enough for most.

Interesting discussion. I don't doubt the ability of SL to be used for healing purposes. I guess my concerns about this are that it allows people to have less accountability. they don't have to show up in person and face their therapist or sponsor. Also, while we in this forum tend to take SL for what it is, there are a lot of people who just see it as a glorified video game. Would they take their recovery seriously?

If it has the potential to help, even as a supplement to face-to-face counselling, then I applaud it. I just have concerns about it being misused.

First off, the article says that the SL aspect of this recovery is that it integrates it into their existing RL program, at least that is how I read it. In that context, I see nothing wrong with it at all. I am a recovering alcoholic and addict. I do not try to hide that, and it's in my profile for all to see. When I'm DJing I've had people IM me asking me about the meetings we have here in SL. I am a member of AA and it has saved my ass and my life. I just celebrated 17 years clean and sober, and I say that not to be boasting, but to show the effectiveness of AA, NA and CA, among other groups.

I found AA in SL within my first week and it was then I realized that SL was special, and much more than I thought it was at first glance. Due to RL busy-ness and plain old laziness, I had not been to a meeting in a long time. AA in SL got me back into meetings, both in SL and RL! I am always honest with new people who come to AA in SL, and I strongly suggest that they go to RL meetings as well. I think the SL meetings are fantastic as an addition to anyone's recovery program. I do not, however, think they are sufficient by themselves. There is something to be said for physical contact, and having a cup of coffee with someone at IHOP. I also have long ago learned to not doubt the power of the human spirit, and that it knows no limitations. AA is a spiritual program (not to be confused with religious) and I've seen miracles in my life and others that transcend what we call normal. To doubt the spirit can use SL effectively for it's purposes is to limit ourselves.

SL offers me the chance to go to a meeting any day of the week. I don't have to worry about a baby sitter for my son. It's right here in my den. I have a ton of friends in SL who are also in recovery, that I can talk to anytime if I need to, and I can return the favor if they need me.

SL is addictive, and it's funny how much the topic in our meetings comes up about SL addiction. Yes, we deal with that also. It's part of living sober and dealing with our addictive personalities. That is part of recovery in RL as well. Recovery is not about being dry, it's about being free.....free from addiction to anything. Which also makes it a lifelong deal...lol.

I will say these are my opinions and not those of AA. The facts are AA works. AA is in SL and they are fantastic meetings. Okay, that last part is my opinion.

Shame on you! Anime/Manga totally beats SL by a longshot!

Not sure if sl can be equivalent of rehab.

For some people, yes. Not for all. It's teh belief aspect in a greater power that is discordant for others.

AA blames God for alcoholism. At least in this SL program, you have only to blame yourself.

A power greater than ourselves can be anything. I have known people in AA who have been sober for decades and are atheist. For some, their higher power can be God. For others it can be the group itself. And for others it can be the steps of AA. I've known AAs who are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, New Age, Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic......did I miss anyone?

The door to AA is wider than any, because it is not a religious group. The main thing about AA, it's sole purpose, is to help people to achieve sobriety, and it has been successful where other groups have failed.

Does AA work for everyone? Of course not, and we do not say that it does. Does it work the first time around? Not normally, but that is because alcoholism is a bitch, and if it was easy to get sober, there would not be a problem.