A patient visited a family practitioner in Madison, NJ for relief from anxiety attacks. After carefully reviewing the symptoms, the doctor issued an unusual Rx- not fillable at your local drug store. He sent the patient to a rabbi to study Chassidic philosophy. This became a life-altering experience not only for the patient but also for the rabbi, Benyamin Bresinger of West Orange, NJ.

Through the 12 Step program, one develops an intense relationship with G-d. But, AA or other programs are not meant to replace religion. The third step is "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of G-d, as we understood Him." Patients are encouraged to go to their own religion and infuse it with their newfound personal spirituality.

"But this doesn't always happen. Many ask 'what do I need religion? I have all I need in the 12 Steps.' Others remember a big fancy synagogue, empty- shell Judaism from their childhood and feel no attraction to it."

"The Jewish community has so much to gain. The recovery population is amazing. They have had to struggle, to dig deep within themselves, face their shortcomings and make a tremendous commitment to themselves and G-d.

"They live with their spirituality, they understand what service to G-d and others mean, and they have so much to give. They are often eager to deepen their understanding of G-d and learn about Jewish belief and practice, if it's shown to be relevant."

Presenting his seminar around the country, Rabbi Ben is bridging the gap between the recovery and Jewish communities. "Many mistakenly think that people in recovery are 'losers.' A prominent businessman came to my seminar. The local rabbi was surprised. He knew this man as a powerful community figure, not as a recovered alcoholic. Once they break through the denial and embarrassment, they're glad to have a friend they can turn to.

"I once walked into a recovery meeting, and saw a familiar looking car at the entrance. It belonged to a close member of my shul. He was sitting at the wheel, checking out each person who entered and trying to decide whether to join them, and if he'd be known or recognized. When he caught my eye in the mirror, he floored it and peeled out, wheels squealing.

"The next morning I sat down next to him to at minyan. He looked me in the eye, and knew that I knew, though I didn't say a word. He broke down and told me his story. I brought him to meetings every day that week and got him firmly planted on the road to recovery. He's now been sober over a year."

"I got a phone call in the middle of the night 'It's time, I'm out of control' she cried. She suffered from an eating disorder. We started learning once a week and she got the support she needed to turn a new page. She threw herself into Overeater's Anonynous, and now vigorously supports others struggling with the same addiction."

The families of addicts also suffer and need healing. "After a presentation a woman in her fifties approached me. 'My father was an alcoholic till I was fourteen,' she began. 'He then became sober, and died when I was seventeen, so most of my childhood wi th him was scarred. For thirty-five years, until today, I had so much anger at how he raised me. I thought of him only as selfish, destructive and bad. Because of this seminar, I now understand that he suffered from a disease and can begin to forgive and let go.' She broke down and cried, adding, 'Thank you so much.'

"I'm very excited about this work. As of July, I am a pastoral counselor for Jews in recovery for the MetroWest Jewish Health and Healing Center. We are opening 12 Step mee ings in area synagogues. I also offer 3-week seminars on my program throughout the metropolitan New York area, and half-day seminars or retreats anywhere."

"This work has touched many people besides people with addictions. A man named Joe came to a seminar in New Jersey. He had lost his wife and was in deep pain. The seminar helped him get on with his life, and go out of himself and his sorrow. He grew to understand that so much depended on his attitude, and learned to see things from a spiritual perspective. His new resolve motivated him to join a healing/bereavement group, where he met a widow. They came to a second seminar together. He found the strength to begin dating this fine woman. He had been quite observant, whereas she had little Jewish background. The seminar helped open her to a Jewish life, and their relationship took off. So much healing transpired on so many levels. These steps are so powerful, a design for living- everyone can benefit from them."

Rabbi Twersky likes to say, "We are all '-ICS' - maybe not an alcohol-IC or any specific -IC, but all in need of healing and growth, wherever we're at. That's the human condition."

"The 12 Steps implement ideals of Chassidic ideals. The program supports spiritual growth and enables you to put the ideals into action. The bottom line is that we can't do it alone, people working together give us the power to overcome. Rabbi Ben has helped make recovery more accessible to the Jewish world. Many are suffering out there- they hurt and their families are hurting. This will help them." -Rivka, member of Overeaters Anonymous.

"Taking Judaism and the 12 Steps together gives you a practical, tangible approach to live your life and change. It has enhanced my 12 Steps work one hundred fold. Learning Torah has given greater depth to my life. I've learned a Judaism that is beyond the rituals I was forced to learn as a kid. Jewish life has now come alive for my family. My kids are in Hebrew School, we celebrate Shabbat dinner and the holidays. Before the 12 Steps, prayer meant nothing to me, now with the synergy and synthesis of praying in Hebrew and deeper understanding it is so rich." -Mark, 15 years in recovery

"I was subject to the widespread myth that Jews don't drink, gamble or beat their wives. Because of the stigma associated with these problems, Jews were reluctant to seek help. But when I saw the tragedy and ruin resulting from untreated cases of alcoholism (and other addictions) I could not keep my silence." -Rabbi Avraham Twerski M.D., from "Shame Borne in Silence."