Of course, today we recognize that chemical dependency is a primary disorder and needs to be treated as such. If a chemically dependent individual does not stop drinking or taking other mood-altering drugs, psychotherapy simply does not work. While both are inexcusable, medicine is a constantly unfolding journey of knowledge. It was not just known, for instance that Valium would turn out to be highly addictive. I think it ill-advised for the present relationship between the recovering community and the medical profession to continue as it has.
Medicine does have a very important place beyond detoxification in dealing with chemical dependency.
A physician who has been certified by the ASAM is presumed to have a certain level of knowledge regarding the accepted treatment of chemical dependency and the problems that develop in recovering people. Although we talk about chemical dependency being a primary disorder, there are certain exceptions. Such individuals, with bipolar disorder, usually do not do well with 12-step programs alone. That there are physicians who give out mood-altering drugs inappropriately is one thing, but negating the entire medical profession and any of the pharmacological therapies is another. Recovering persons may have problems other than chemical dependency which warrant the use of medications.