ABSTRACT
A Transcendental Meditation (TM) program for alcoholics and addicts has been operating since autumn of 1986 on the Los Angeles Westside, using the facilities of the CLARE (Community Living for Alcoholics by Rehabilitation and Education) Foundation, an alcohol recovery agency headquartered in Santa Monica. Our inaugural introductory lecture was organized by a CLARE volunteer (see “Steve” below) for a CLARE staff meeting. Thereafter introductory lectures were publicized through posters at CLARE facilities and by word of mouth of meditators at their Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) (see Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1976) or other Twelve Step program meetings, including Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Cocaine Anonymous (CA). Monthly advanced TM meetings consisting of a group meditation, a taped lecture by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and discussion, as well as semiannual special events with a guest speaker or videotapes were held for our students between 1986 and early 1991. Regular checking of meditation, a brief procedure designed to insure ease and correctness of TM practice, was provided for students who were willing to participate. By winter of 1992 over 250 alcoholics and addicts had been instructed.
