(the few whom fair-minded Jupiter loves)

     In 1921 Carl Gustav Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist wrote Psychological Types. In this important work, he introduced the west to the importance of the different psychological types. Jung stated that every personality must have three things: 1) A way of perceiving the world (either through sensation or intuition), 2) A way of making decisions based on those perceptions (either through thinking or feeling) 3) An attitude with which to approach the world (either introverted or extroverted).

     The importance of Jung’s typology is that it introduced the west, and the United States, to new ways of viewing the various types. In particular, it presented beneficial and non-beneficial aspects of each type. There are fundamental differences in each personality type, differences that encompass motives, purpose, needs, drives, cognition, comprehension, conceptualization, beliefs, understanding, and perception. Every personality type is necessary and beneficial to humankind. The different types play off each other and make possible the survival and thriving of civilization. The opposite types act like a pendulum that swings from one extreme to the other, each type pulling the other back when it has gone too far. It is an example of yin and yang operating in the different personality types seeking balance in the cosmos.

     As noted above, Jung introduced his personality types in 1921. By 1930, his views on the subject were discarded, as behavioral psychology became fashion for psychologists. It was not until the 1950’s that interest in Jung’s typology resurfaced. Isabel Myers and her mother Kathryn Briggs devised a test based on Jung’s typology. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator became a popular tool for psychologists. It has sixteen different personality types that fit into four temperaments, each type having its distinct role to play in society. Jung believed that some change in strength or weakness of a type occurs through use or non-use. However, he leaned toward the premise that these different types reveal inborn characteristics that are the individual’s natural way of functioning in life. He believed that trying to change a person’s type would be catastrophic to the functioning of the individual. Jung felt that the specific traits of each type were not only correct for the individual, but also necessary for the benefit of humankind.

     In our society today, we still praise extroversion, thinking and sensation, while viewing introversion, intuition and feeling as inferior modes for an individual to view and interact with the world. One who enjoys solitude is encouraged to be more outgoing.  One who daydreams is criticized or punished, and feeling must be overcome with logical judgment, standards and principles. Introversion, intuition and intense feeling types are viewed as defective aberrations. You can still hear mothers and fathers loudly proclaim in defense of their son or daughter, "my child is not an introvert, my child has healthy social interactions." Intuition is not to be trusted for its origin is the depths of the psyche. It cannot be tested for validity and thus is deemed inferior to logic and method. Feeling types are considered too emotional, illogical, weak in taking a stand, and do not understand the value of principles. In 12-step groups, you hear the cry "principles before personalities." This statement is foreign for the introverted, intuitive, feeling type, who would amend the previous statement to read, "view the potential of each situation, of each personality, and let your principles have flexibility and compassion." Introverted, intuitive, feeling types are continually ridiculed, treated with therapy, and subjugated by society in an effort to make them "normal".

     Introverted, intuitive, feeling types, (INF types), are highly idealistic and are willing to sacrifice themselves for a cause they feel is moral. They have a capacity for caring that is not often found in other personality types. They are abstract and metaphorical in thought and speech. They often daydream and question why one must work before one plays. While the other personality types often disagree with one another, they understand where the other is coming from. None of the other personality types understands or comprehends the mode of operation or what they consider lack of, that the introverted, intuitive, feeling type uses to view and deal with life. The INF’s often feel as if they had been dropped to earth from another planet and somehow they must find a way to communicate with the other personality types.

     The INF type is a critical faculty in the functioning of any given society. They are often a breath of fresh air of unconventional thoughts, philosophies, visions, beliefs and ideals. Without this idealistic group, there would have been few wandering prophets, sages, spiritual healers, or shaman. In their absence, we would lack those who speak softly, yet with passion redefine the status quo with their mantic skills. Without this group, we would never have read Homer, Virgil, Shakespeare, Yeats, Longfellow, Thoreau, Chaucer, Hawthorne, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Goethe, or Robert Burns. Without this group, we would never have known the teachings of the Buddha, or the beloved disciples St. John and St. Luke. We would never have felt the deep love, caring and mercy of Mary, mother of Jesus. We would never have known the spirit, passion and idealism of a young woman of 19 years of age who was burned at the stake for her visions and beliefs, Joan of Arc.

     The INF type, that is also an addict, faces an even greater challenge in recovery than other addicts do. The 12-step groups, treatment centers, and private therapists that often provide necessary principles, structure, love and support for the majority of addicts, often do not provide the proper environment for the introverted, intuitive, feeling type to recover and grow.

     It is stressed in 12-step groups that everyone is the same. We are all addicts. There is no difference. The only reason you relapse is that you are an addict. Yet, the INF is different and knows it. They are required to attend meeting after meeting, share their experience, and socialize. Some of this is necessary and is essential in early recovery. However, the INF needs time alone, away from people. They are worn down and tired from continuous social interaction. They are refreshed and recharged when they are alone. The 12-step group members will often tell the person they are isolating and if they do not stop this behavior, they will relapse. This is ignorance of the INF personality. There is a fine line here. Many addicts are prone to isolate and avoid. It is difficult to determine avoidance behavior from the need to recuperate. It also is said in 12-step groups, don’t get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, (H.A.L.T.). The INF can get very exhausted from too much social stimulation. I have known INF’s that secretly drink or use before a meeting in order to keep up with this agenda. Those who sponsor an INF have a responsibility to listen carefully and probe the situation, making sure that the program is one where the INF will thrive in recovery.

     Concerning treatment centers and private therapists, there is widespread ignorance in dealing with the INF patient. Many treatment centers and their staff are so closely tied to the 12-step program that they take on the "one size fits all" mentality. Many of the same errors of dealing with INF’s that are found in 12-step groups are found in a treatment center. Treatment centers need to be educated, and educate their personnel on dealing with this group just as they are educated on any other minority. Private therapists need to be educated on 12- step programs and the needs of the INF patient. There needs to be a balance that fits the individual and not the issues of the 12-step group, the treatment center, or the therapist.

     In conclusion, the field of recovery is in its infancy. Those working in the field are some of the most caring individuals you will ever meet. 12- step groups have been the salvation for countless addicts. The treatment centers continue to integrate new and beneficial treatment modalities. The best are now offering aftercare, alumni programs and long-term recovery through sober living houses. Private therapists, Psychiatrists, and Psychologists are acquiring more resources and treatment methods to deal with addiction. However, there are areas that need attention.

     The Subjugation of the Sacred Self-Will, the title of this paper may seem like a brutal attack on the recovery field. Some may be offended, while others angered at my criticism of "sacred cows" in the field. Some may feel I am leading the innocent down the wrong path. Others might argue that I am feeding the addiction of those who want an excuse to stay in their disease. I have considered these points and others. I feel obligated to write and criticize the lack of understanding of those in my field who treat all addicts the same. INF types are 1% in the general population. Through casual observation of the addicts I’ve worked with, it appears that they make up anywhere between 10-20 % of the addict population.

     If you are offended or angered then at least you have listened. Listening, being faced with your actions or inaction, and anger are the first steps in breaking through the denial of an individual or an entrenched system of dogma. What I see as brutal, what angers and offends me, what tears at my heart are the patients I’ve seen go through treatment needing radical modification of treatment, needing competent sponsors, flexibility in their program and therapists that were competent to work with Introverted, intuitive, feeling type addicts. I have cried inside as I’ve watched them work their program and knew they were bound to relapse. I watched as they gradually lost any glimmer of the sacred flame that fills us with passion for the life experience. I know of many who died. It is not your fault. It is not my fault. It is a terrible baffling disease that is to blame. Yet, all of us that work in this field must entertain and be open to new ideas. We need more than different treatment plans for these INF patients. We have to feel as they feel, dream as they dream, and be creative in adopting treatment modalities that work for these patients. When we work with others, we do not have the right to change "what is", but we have a responsibility to guide the nature of "what is", to embrace its destiny, its sacred self-will, its passion for life.

(Important... Please Read!)

     Although I feel strongly that there needs to be education and change in the treatment and recovery of the INF type addict, I also strongly believe that 12-step programs, treatment centers and private therapists are the best hope for all addicts. I have known and worked with excellent people in this field. 12-step programs and treatment centers not only saved my life but also helped me regain the spiritual fire that I had lost in my life. The INF addict and their family need to do research on treatment centers, sponsors, and private therapists. There are good ones available. This should not be an excuse to postpone treatment. Any treatment is better than none at all or a lengthy delay. This should not be an excuse for the INF addict to skip meetings, decide not to follow a 12-step program, or refuse treatment The INF addict can be just as cunning, deceitful and in denial as any other addict and will do or say anything to stay in their disease. Every addict should attend a minimum of 90 meetings in their first 90 days. Every addict needs a sponsor. The point of this paper is to point out areas that I feel need to be corrected. I hope that it will reach the ears of professional recovery and INF addicts that have tried and failed over a period of years. It is not intended for those new in recovery, (under 2 years clean). To determine if you are an INF type requires testing by a trained psychologist.