Recovery Coaching and Plant Medicine

What happened to Bill Wilson at the end of his time with AA World service when he wanted to suggest psychedelic treatment?

Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), became interested in the potential therapeutic use of psychedelics in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly LSD. He believed that these substances might help individuals experience the kind of spiritual awakening that was central to his own recovery from alcoholism. Wilson thought psychedelics could potentially assist some alcoholics in finding the spiritual connection needed to sustain sobriety.

However, his views on the subject were not well received by AA as an organization. By this time, AA had grown significantly and was firmly established in its approach to recovery, which emphasized abstinence, personal accountability, and the 12 Steps. Many within AA were concerned that Wilson’s interest in psychedelics could undermine the organization’s credibility, given the stigma and controversy surrounding drugs like LSD.

As a result, Wilson’s efforts to introduce or discuss psychedelic treatment within AA were largely rejected. The organization chose not to endorse or explore this avenue, and Wilson ultimately distanced himself from promoting the idea within AA. While he continued to privately believe in the potential of psychedelics, AA remained focused on its established methods for treating alcoholism.

Wilson’s advocacy for psychedelics never became part of the official AA program, but it remains an interesting chapter in his later life, highlighting his continued search for effective methods to help those suffering from alcoholism.

Did Bill Wilson drink again before his death?

No, Bill Wilson did not drink alcohol again before his death. Despite various challenges and health issues later in life, including depression and chronic emphysema from heavy smoking, Wilson maintained his sobriety from alcohol until his passing in 1971. His last drink was in 1934, following his well-known spiritual awakening, which became a cornerstone of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) philosophy. While he explored various therapies and ideas, including his interest in psychedelics, he remained sober from alcohol for the remainder of his life.

What medication was he given when he had a spiritual awakening while in treatment?

Bill Wilson experienced his spiritual awakening while undergoing treatment for alcoholism at Towns Hospital in New York City in December 1934. During this treatment, he was given a medication called **belladonna**, which was part of a controversial and now outdated “purge” treatment known as the **Towns–Lambert treatment**.

Belladonna is a plant-derived substance that has psychoactive properties and was used in the early 20th century as a sedative or to induce hallucinations. Wilson had a profound spiritual experience while under the influence of this medication, which he later credited as a turning point in his recovery. This experience became central to his personal narrative and the development of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), as it formed the basis for the spiritual aspect of the AA recovery program.

Although the belladonna treatment has since been discredited, Wilson’s spiritual awakening during this period was a key event in shaping the 12-Step recovery model that emphasizes the importance of a higher power or spiritual transformation in overcoming addiction.

Explain the concept of the “Wetiko Virus” 

The concept you’re referring to is **”Wetiko”** (also spelled “Wétiko” or “Wendigo”), a term from certain Native American traditions, particularly among the Algonquin, Cree, and Ojibwe peoples. It describes a spiritual and psychological condition likened to a virus of the mind or soul. Wetiko is associated with extreme selfishness, greed, and the consumption of others, manifesting in a destructive, predatory behavior that can take over individuals, societies, and even humanity as a whole.

### Origin of Wetiko:

Traditionally, “Wetiko” refers to a mythological being or spirit, sometimes called the **Wendigo**, a cannibalistic monster or evil spirit. In the stories, those who are consumed by greed or who commit acts of cannibalism would become possessed by the Wetiko spirit, turning into a destructive, insatiable creature. This concept has evolved into a metaphor for human behavior, particularly focusing on those consumed by selfish desires, colonialism, or unchecked exploitation.

### Wetiko as a Metaphor for Human Consciousness:

In modern interpretations, **Wetiko** has been used to describe what some see as a psychic or spiritual “virus” that infects human consciousness, driving individuals or societies toward greed, exploitation, and destruction. One of the key ideas is that this “virus” is not just individual but systemic, representing how collective human behaviors, particularly in capitalist or colonialist societies, can become infected with the mindset of endless consumption and disregard for others.

### Paul Levy’s Interpretation:

Paul Levy, a contemporary author and spiritual teacher, has explored the Wetiko concept extensively in his writings. He describes Wetiko as a **psychic virus** that distorts human perception, leading people to project their inner darkness outward and create harm in the world. In his book *”Dispelling Wetiko: Breaking the Curse of Evil,”* Levy suggests that Wetiko represents a profound challenge to humanity, where the virus blinds us to our interconnectedness, fostering a sense of separation, fear, and destruction.

According to this view, Wetiko is a force that feeds off of unconsciousness and fear. It manifests in individuals and societies through destructive behaviors like greed, power-hungriness, and violence. Levy argues that the way to “cure” the Wetiko virus is through spiritual awakening, by recognizing our interconnectedness and shifting from a mindset of separation to one of unity and compassion.

### Key Themes of Wetiko:

1. **Greed and Consumption**: Wetiko is often associated with the Western mindset of infinite growth, accumulation of wealth, and disregard for the natural world.

2. **Alienation**: It represents a form of spiritual alienation, where individuals or societies become disconnected from their deeper spiritual nature, their communities, and the environment.

3. **Psychic Infection**: Wetiko is described as a kind of psychic or spiritual infection, where once a person or culture is “infected,” they act in ways that harm others, perpetuating the cycle of exploitation and destruction.

4. **Healing Through Awareness**: The antidote to Wetiko is awareness or consciousness. By recognizing the virus and its influence, individuals can begin to break free from its grip and act in more compassionate, interconnected ways.

### Modern Relevance:

The Wetiko concept is sometimes used as a critique of modern society, particularly in discussions of consumerism, environmental destruction, and social inequality. It frames these issues not just as material problems but as manifestations of a deeper spiritual or psychological sickness that needs healing.

In essence, Wetiko is a powerful metaphor for the darker aspects of human nature and how unchecked greed and selfishness can create suffering on both individual and societal levels.

ChatGPT and David Collins
Executive for CSR and CSI Projects.