the need to hit bottom can be used to justify disrespectful and abusive tactics in order to prompt someone to feel powerless and desperate enough to try the steps. Since humility is seen as critical to this process, humiliating participants is acceptable. Since pride and confidence are antithetical to surrender, attempts are made to suppress or puncture them. Since social support can aid resistance, people are cut off from access to friends and family and even to kindness from each other during periods of punishment, which often involve being silent and totally shunned. Not surprisingly, this
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