Oct 24, 2014 | By Tim Stoddart
Barry A. Hazle Wins $2M Lawsuit For Being ‘Forced’ to Attend 12 Step Meetings
Addiction & Recovery News
Barry A. Hazle was sent back to prison for parole violation, and for his troubles filed and won a $2M dollar law suit.
The 46 year old man served time for a conviction of methamphetamine possession. Hazle later received parole and the terms of his parole required attending mandatory 12 step meetings.
As an atheist, Hazle claimed that 12 step meetings were religious organizations that went against his beliefs.
Hazle complained to his parole officer and asked for additional treatment options. His parole officer stated that West Care 12 step meetings were the only option available.
For violating his parole, Hazle was sent back to jail for more than 3 months. The Record Searchlight reported that “Hazle was sent back to jail for more than three months for allegedly being “disruptive, though in a congenial way, to the staff as well as other students” and being “sort of passive-aggressive,” the paper reported.
“I’m thrilled to finally have this case settled,” Hazle told the Searchlight. “It sends a clear message to people in a position of authority, like my parole agent, for example, that they not mandate religious programming for their parolees, and for anyone else, for that matter.”
– Barry A. Hazle
Hazle first sued in 2001. He won the case but the jury refused to grant him any financial compensation. Through a long court process, the decision was eventually thrown out and a three judge panel said that Hazle was entitled to compensation.
“The jury’s verdict, which awarded Hazle no compensatory damages at all for his loss of liberty, cannot be upheld,” Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in the court’s opinion. “The jury simply was not entitled to refuse to award any damages for Hazle’s undisputable — and undisputed — loss of liberty, and its verdict to the contrary must be rejected.”
The state of California will pay Hazle $1 million, while Westcare will pay $925,000 under terms of the settlement, according to KRCR-TV.
Hazle told the Sacramento Bee he plans to become active in local drug rehabilitation efforts.
The California Department of Corrections has since issued new rules stating that parole officers may not require parolees to attend faith-based programs.
niki
9 years ago
Anyone that goes to 12 step meetings as I do knows that they clearly state that whether it be N.A or A.A is a non religious program and it is a higher power of YOUR UNDERSTANDINGS this guy played the system
RationalRecoveredPerson
8 years ago
False. Completely
God is on the wall, in the steps, most meetings are in a church, god has everything to do with your “Faith Healing” BS
Its a bait and switch. Where many are made to “Come to believe” in that same god you are told in Step 3 to “Turn your will and life over” to.
My will and life are mine alone, His Liberty was taken because he wouldn’t be force fed your dogmatic AA bull and was RIGHTLY compensated for it
Joe g
9 years ago
AA steps are based on spritual basices NOT RELIGION
UNREAL GVING THIS GUY
2 million an he wants to work with programs
Pleaseee
jeanette
8 years ago
Many state courts and the supreme courts have ruled AA engages in religious activities. It’s a religion.
Michael Skondin
9 years ago
That dude is so full of shit just another addict hustling the systems 12 programs are not a religious organization
Ryan
9 years ago
AA is spiritual. YOUR higher power. He believes his higher power is himself.
As a former 12 steppe and member of several AA groups, still sober, and a 38 year old son of a baptist preachers kid, I never went to one meeting, not one that didn’t smack of going to church. After being dropped by more than 1 loser sponsor, seeing all the cliquey bullshit, and hearing not stop from the few that would bother talking to me what I should do with my life, everywhere i went, I quit. And I am all the more better for it. I chose my own spirotual path. AA is not the golden glory everyone makes it out to be. And it isn’t for everyone. Does he deserve 2M, maybe not, but he deserves something.
Justin
9 years ago
As already stated, this guy played the system well. This is totally bogus. As far as the guy Ryan above me: I’m sorry that your experience was with the personalities over the principles. I wish you would have looked at the actual program and hung around people who wee ACTUALLY doing this thing. In everything there are going to be people who hide their issues behind “recovery”, but it’s up to you to depict that and realize it (which it seems as though you saw that) and let me go! All in all what you have explained is your SOCIAL issues with the program of some people; not the program itself. Of course a 12 step program is a self-diagnosed choice and not everyone belongs in them… But it’s sad to see that insecure individuals chased you out. Read the book, read the traditions, and find the people who are actually doing the damn thing. I have dealt with these egotistical people you are describing and ya know what: I stopped hanging near them! I changed the sponsor and changed the network and found people (which was NOT THAT HARD) who take this thing seriously. I have no excuses and I can’t sit and make generalizations about a program due to a few humans: fallible and faulty.
Ross Marvin
9 years ago
Nobody needs 12 step cult religion to get sober, or for anything else. Hopefully this is another nail in the coffin of religious recovery groups.
John
9 years ago
When you structure a program around christianity and have God in the language then say it’s “only” spiritual not religious it does not mean that it’s not religious. AA is completely based on the christian religion – everything about it is religious based. Just because those of you it worked for thump your chests and say it’s not religious does not mean it’s anymore true.
paula d
9 years ago
At Ryan. The guy deserves nothing. he violated parole. he a meth head. or at least a meth dealer to kids. 12 step programs are spiritual by nature, not religious org. if it ‘smacks” of going to church you went to better churches than i did. There are meeting that are cliques and more stufy than others, just change meetings, may be that since more than 1 “loser” sponsor dropped you it was your unwillingness to work the program. we are not interested in wasting time on those that don’t want the recovery and just because you are sober does not mean you are in recovery. Good luck dud.
Trevis
9 years ago
This guy will probably end up spending his 2 million on Meth and back in prison.
Chuck
9 years ago
Congrats to Mr. Hazel on his winnings. My opinion is he stated his disagreement honestly and the system looked at honestly and they agreed he did deserve the money he felt entitled too. I read he caught a methamphetamine possession and obviously he’s had alcohol issues being that he was mandated to AA. I know for a physical and scientific fact through personal experience that money no matter how much it is will solve his problem. Hope he makes it back to the rooms , he wil definitely be a help to many.
Gregg
9 years ago
so very sad. What a player and manipulator. Our hard-earned taX dollars put to good use – NOT.
chang
9 years ago
He was clearly upset that he was forced to attend a program that he was not ready to accept and believes that he’s a victim. Even though these programs are based on “higher power” etc..Most members will usually refer to some type of “religious, spiritual or Godly ” resource during the meeting at some point or time. Usually, meetings will close with the “Lords Prayer .. So be it the guy is full of it, I do believe the system got what they deserve. Those programs were established to help those anonymously, when you were ready and not as a punishment and forced to go.
Ed
9 years ago
I have been in AA for the past 23 years, I had a problem with organized religion and still do. AA gives me the option to use what works for me as my higher power…. My God as I understand him is too large to live in some building and to be visited once a week or so…. My God is everywhere and is there for me to pray to whenever I have the need … I don’t like judges telling people that they have to go to meetings and sure as hell don’t think that a person be given money for taking some crap like this to court.. I’m sure some lawyer made plenty off of the deal and in the mean time could care less about any thing else. I can only tell Mr. Hazel that the money will not keep him sober and will only speed up his chance of dying stoned or drunk. Mr. Hazel you might get you head out of your ass and realize that people in the program are here to help you but unless you will help yourself then go die drunk… I’ll pray for you and your money….. The three judges should get their heads out of their asses and stay out of the 12 step programs , at least read the Big Book and see what it is about…. Thank you.
brian
9 years ago
To those condemning this man your making yourself look foolish. Mr. Chang stated “He was clearly upset that he was forced to attend a program that he was not ready to accept and believes that he’s a victim”. he was not ready to accept? No he would not accept because he did not believe in it! He even asked for other treatment options.12 step programs are not the only way to get sober and or be in recovery. Also it was never said if Brian even did drugs. He got caught for a possession charge.Now paul d you say “The guy deserves nothing. he violated parole. he a meth head. or at least a meth dealer to kids”… A couple things here. So because he violated parole that means he has no right to stand up for what he believes in.All his civil and human rights are waved because of a parole violation.In short, NO.Also I dont believe the article said he used meth so you calling him a Meth head is wrong or atleast irresponsible.Even if he did use Meth, where is your compassion or understanding for a fellow addict. Lastly where did it say he sold drugs to children? A bit of advice to any of the people in recovery who blast, chastise, belittle and call names to those who dont agree with your way. You are embarrassing yourself. You state “this is a spiritual program about principals” and in the same breath practically heckle those that see a different way.There are other ways to get sober. 12 step programs are not even 100 years old. Bill wilson himself was not the first man to ever get sober. His “friend” who spoke to him was apart of a group. Learn your history. But maybe for your sake be naive, point your fingers, stay ignorant as they say ignorance is bliss.
chris
9 years ago
Giving an addict that kind of money when he doesn’t want to stop his self destructive patterns does two things: 1) almost guarantee his death, and 2) show how blind society can be to how manipulative a using addict can be. All the power to him staying clean by other methods, as I know there are many paths to a better life, but it would seem that this guy is clearly wanting to still be a destructive force to society. Think about what two million dollars could do for good? How many teachers, nurses, counselors, etc could be hires with that money. The world fails every time something like this happens.
LaPortaMA
6 years ago
Excellent and unexpected analysis.
Isabelle
9 years ago
This sets a strong precedent for others who are coerced into AA which has been found to be religiously based by US courts. The duplicity of using the word “spiritual” is just not cutting it with the courts evidently. They see through it. That is why this man won $2 million dollars. The ruling speaks for it self. There is now a class action suit by a huge group of people who have been victimized in essentially the same way—and worse! (SEE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXbxtdplOQA) People can criticize and come to the defense of AA all they want and need to. The legal wheels are turning nonetheless. There will be more suits filed and these suits will continue until people’s rights are respected and alternative evidence-based programs are made widely available to people who do not want to be forced into meetings of a religious (“spiritual” praying to a Higher Power) un-facilitated group of self-proclaimed powerless alcoholics and drug addicts. The parents of AA newcomer, Karla Brada who was murdered by her AA member boyfriend–now convicted murderer spending 26 years to life in prison, are now suing AA and Karla’s AA sponsors. (SEE: http://www.signalscv.com/m/section/36/article/129230/) Those who choose to, have a right to practice Old Oxford Group Religion (which is what AA is) if they want to. In the same respect, however, those who chose not to, have the Right and the POWER not to participate in it. Again, the ruling speaks for itself no matter the dissenters. More suits are surely to come…
Rajiv Bhole
9 years ago
Well done Barry. Now, I hope someone also files charges against Alcoholics Anonymous for converting a simple psycho-therapeutic path into a religious path and causing untold misery to alcoholics and their families.
I have been involved in AA and NA in India for over 24 years, trying to understand why exactly the 12 Step path of Alcoholics Anonymous does not work for the vast majority of alcoholics who try it. And I have put it all down in this AA Timeline for everyone to understand why: https://www.facebook.com/notes/rajiv-bhole/the-pharmaceutical-ngo-addiction-aa-timeline/842340125779178 I hope this also helps anyone who wants to take action in putting an end to the insidious cults.
Warm best
Laura
9 years ago
You’ve got to be kidding. I know this is falling on deaf ears, but AA is NOT a “religious” program (and it most certainly isn’t a cult). AA does not require that you believe anything. It encourages people to look inside themselves (introspection), make amends to people they’ve hurt, and do the Next Right Thing. I have been going to AA meetings for 25 years, and I do not believe in God. I believe in being a good person, being kind to others, and practicing random acts of kindness. Just because some people at meetings say you should pray, or that they believe in God, doesn’t mean you need to, and it doesn’t make it a religious program. The judge in this case doesn’t know the difference between “religious” and “spiritual”, and yes – there sure as hell is a difference. This case sets a dangerous precedent; it paints a picture of AA as something it isn’t and will likely scare some people away from finding help there. What a shame.
RationalRecoveredPerson
8 years ago
AA is a cult. Read the Book AA Cult or Cure. AA does nothing but INDOCTRINATE PEOPLE, FORCE YOU TO BELIEVE IN THEIR GOD, TEARS PEOPLE DOWN, ITS A CULT AND ITS FULL OF BULL. Good luck getting over your dependency issues in AA. You will never recover, you will be sick your whole life
Counselorchick
7 years ago
Thank you! Steppers are so SICK! Eternally living in fear of their “best thinking” and being “one of the unfortunates!”
LaPortaMA
6 years ago
thanks for being the warning.
Steve McC
9 years ago
Nothing wrong with AA / NA as long as it starts being rigorously honest with those who consider following its path; that it is a program of religious conversion. See e.g. “The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions”, Page 109;
“So, practicing these Steps, we had a spiritual awakening about which finally there was no question. Looking at those who were only beginning and still doubted themselves, the
rest of us were able to see the change setting in. From great numbers of such experiences, we could predict that the doubter who still claimed that he hadn’t got the “spiritual
angle,” and who still considered his well-loved A.A. group the higher power, would presently love God and call Him by name.”
RationalRecoveredPerson
8 years ago
Its a bait and switch. exactly right
Carlos
9 years ago
When are we going to learn that more than 90% of all treatment facilities are dominated by the 12Steps of AA/NA and it is just as being force give the lack of alternatives.
Some of these facilities claims that they use other “Evidence Based Treatment”, but it is my impression most practitioners do not even understand what evidence based means. When it comes to science appears that mental health practitioners are the most science illiterate of all the health related professions.
A survey study done by Butler and three graduate students in 1998 indicated that only 28% of mental health practitioners ever read any science (from my experience it appears most have not read a journal since they graduated college). In 1978 Dr. who was chief of National Institude of Mental Health and Substance Abuse talk at the APA Convention and reported in the APA Monitor (Nov. 19789 page 9) the federal government will not pay for any treatment for which there is not prove of efficacy and safety.
This demand had fallen on deaf ears as we can see most treatment provided in mental health is based on pseudoscience and face validity. Not much evidence exist for most treatment modality provided.
I believe most practitioners that claim that the use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy haven’t the faintest idea how to use it, have probably never been trained or been supervised. At best they might have read a book about it and practice according to what they believe it is suppose to do. Of course when treatment fails they always have the patient to blame the poor outcome.
In Florida 92.1% of all treatment facilities use the 12 Steps of AA, if they are using public funds there is no doubt that they facilities are violating the 1st Amendment. Any attempts that I have made to grievance such practice has been met with retaliation, harassment and interference.
Heath
8 years ago
Amazing the comments about AA not being religious?. Anybody in Alcoholics Anonymous knows that in at least half of the 12 steps a god comes up. Whether he was working the system or not. It still stands that AA is religious, whether it’s spiritual woo woo or traditional judeo-christianity. Objectively speaking AA is religious.
LaPortaMA
6 years ago
Curious, have you read Varieties of Religious Experience, written by an empirical psychologist?
Brian
8 years ago
I have been sober for nearly 23 years now with the help of AA. While the “God” thing was always present, it was never forced upon me and in fact when the topic arose at meetings there were always alternatives offered which allowed for a successful program of recovery without compromising my agnosticism. It was easy enough to work past the “God” thing and see the principles of recovery for what they were,
jeanette
8 years ago
Wow…where do you go to meetings. If I could find a meeting where someone wasn’t shoving God down my throat, I would be never stopped going to AA. Higher power…God. Really they are both the same thing, just different words. The word “God” is everywhere throughout the literature. It’s all about God. AA has been determined to be an organization who engages in religious activity. This was determined by many state courts and the supreme court. These courts never mentioned anything about AA being a spiritual program. What are the principles? Turn your will and life over to God….ask God to remove your shortcomings….pray for continual consciousness contact with God….it goes on and on and on. Oh yeah, the final 12th step…go out and spread the word about the program (proselytize). It’s worse than a religion. No religion will tell you to go to church 3 times a week and pair you up with another church member who will tell you what to do and how to live your life. This sounds like a cult. Wake up. Did they tell you to make a doorknob your higher power? How can anyone not be offended by that.
Counselorchick
7 years ago
Hahahahahahaha! Dangerous Cult Religion! You are correct Jeanette!
LaPortaMA
6 years ago
HP can be the group.
Jennifer Ryan
5 years ago
Good for him. I went through a AA based treatment center in March. I had co existing psychiatric condition. I was told before arrival that the center knew how to treat this condition. That was the first lie. I was forced to attend AA meeting even though I had crippling anxiety and flashbacks from childhood trauma. I felt retraumstized my whole stay. I was also told my husband would not let me back home and they were going to kick me out if I didn’t conform. My husband never told them that I could
Not go back home. I am trying to find a lawyer to take my case against this treatment center. People need to know if the emotional abuse that occurs in these centers. It gotten ridiculous. The staff is not trained to handle psychiatrist disorders with most of the therapists holding nothing but an AA degree. I am appalled that our society now turns to AA to handle psychiatric conditions.
Dr K
5 years ago
http://www.smartrecovery.org = Evidence Based Treatment
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