Thanks for the clarification pete. I was purely picking up on the issues I raised when I was part of a health care regulator. Complaints from staff in many trusts included confusion where, I accept mostly inadvertently, patients had confusion and like it or not, confusing the metaphysical with reality often compounds the issue according to the many professionals concerned. The good results of what I admittedly called comfort blanket have to be put alongside the many poor or exacerbated outcomes.

In contrast, use of a figure, often god, to relate to in the twelve step approach to substance misuse cessation has had excellent results. I have been able to publish encouraging reports.

Despite my huge misgivings and my dismissal of tirades by Sailor Jack, my issues with aspects of religious influence are based on real issues that could and should be addressed without fear or favour.