drug addicts in aa

Spiritual awakening is a transformative process marked by profound inner
change. Common signs include a deep sense of peace, vivid dreams,
noticing synchronicities, and emotional fluctuations.

badgolferman

2025-02-19 16:14:49 UTC

Post by Socrates
Spiritual awakening is a transformative process marked by profound
inner change. Common signs include a deep sense of peace, vivid
dreams, noticing synchronicities, and emotional fluctuations.

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

Socrates

2025-02-19 17:55:42 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

badgolferman

2025-02-19 19:44:16 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

Socrates

2025-02-19 23:40:34 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?

My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.

Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

badgolferman

2025-02-20 00:18:18 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?
My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.
Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

I didn’t say life advice, I said AA advice. That implies one actually knows
something about the concepts and traditions of the program. By your own
admission you’ve never been involved with AA at any capacity.

Socrates

2025-02-20 06:23:37 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?
My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.
Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

Trying to have a reasonable, respectable conversation with you is like
roller skating in a gravel pit, (don't ask me how I know).

badgolferman

2025-02-20 11:35:14 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?
My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.
Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

Trying to have a reasonable, respectable conversation with you is like
roller skating in a gravel pit, (don't ask me how I know).

It would be wonderfully refreshing to have a normal conversation with you,
but when you use AA concepts as a weapon rather than relating them as a
personal experience, then it becomes obvious what your goal has become.
Maybe since you’re not an AA member I should give you some slack, but when
you give AA advice try to use your own experiences rather than repeat
something you don’t understand which you heard somewhere.

Socrates

2025-02-20 22:15:48 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?
My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.
Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

Trying to have a reasonable, respectable conversation with you is like
roller skating in a gravel pit, (don't ask me how I know).

Obvious to you. What (fortunately) became obvious to me and many other
agnostics was that the key to recovery was not embracing a mythical
deity but understanding hypoglycemia.

Post by badgolferman
Maybe since you’re not an AA member I should give you some slack, but when
you give AA advice try to use your own experiences rather than repeat
something you don’t understand which you heard somewhere.

I just did a search on Bing: "Is alcoholics anonymous a cult?'

Try it. Here is the number one and two responses:

The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous

Its faith-based 12-step program dominates treatment in the United
States. But researchers have debunked central tenets of AA doctrine and
found dozens of other treatments more effective.

A number of ex-members and addiction treatment professionals have
accused it of having cult-like qualities and using brainwashing and
bullying methods that weak and vulnerable people are particularly
susceptible to.

In the US, the anti-AA lobby has been further fueled by the recent
publication of two books; Alcoholics Anonymous: Cult or Cure? by Charles
Bufe and The Real AA by Ken Ragge.

There is also a support group on the Internet called Recovery From 12 Steps.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-alcoholic/201503/irrationality-aa?msockid=15ac4813ffb562ba121f46fbfe97637a

Charlie M. 1958

2025-02-21 17:11:37 UTC

Post by Socrates
In the US, the anti-AA lobby has been further fueled by the recent
publication of two books; Alcoholics Anonymous: Cult or Cure? by Charles
Bufe and The Real AA by Ken Ragge.

Ken Ragge. There's a name I haven't heard since tedw quit posting here. :-)

badgolferman

2025-02-21 21:56:57 UTC

Post by Charlie M. 1958

Post by Socrates
In the US, the anti-AA lobby has been further fueled by the recent
publication of two books; Alcoholics Anonymous: Cult or Cure? by
Charles Bufe and The Real AA by Ken Ragge.

Ken Ragge. There's a name I haven't heard since tedw quit posting here. :-)

Sounds like Frank and tedw may have a lot more in common than we
suspect...

Skeezix LaRocca

2025-02-21 21:06:42 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a
newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?
My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.
Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

Trying to have a reasonable, respectable conversation with you is like
roller skating in a gravel pit, (don't ask me how I know).

Obvious to you. What (fortunately) became obvious to me and many other
agnostics was that the key to recovery was not embracing a mythical
deity but understanding hypoglycemia.

I just did a search on Bing: "Is alcoholics anonymous a cult?'
The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous
Its faith-based 12-step program dominates treatment in the United
States. But researchers have debunked central tenets of AA doctrine and
found dozens of other treatments more effective.
A number of ex-members and addiction treatment professionals have
accused it of having cult-like qualities and using brainwashing and
bullying methods that weak and vulnerable people are particularly
susceptible to.
In the US, the anti-AA lobby has been further fueled by the recent
publication of two books; Alcoholics Anonymous: Cult or Cure? by Charles
Bufe and The Real AA by Ken Ragge.
There is also a support group on the Internet called Recovery From 12 Steps.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality-
of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-
alcoholic/201503/irrationality-aa?msockid=15ac4813ffb562ba121f46fbfe97637a

I will agree that some of AA is cult like..I say that from personal
experience. Some groups I have been to make me shake my head and head
for the door. Their entire meeting is nothing but Big Book quotes and
jumping down people's throats, telling them that they are not a
*real_alcoholic* . Many of these types of people are those that you can
dress up, but do you really want to take them anywhere. They may have 40
plus years, but have *nothing* but AA.

In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as a
whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

--
We all do better when we all do better.

Paul Wellstone

badgolferman

2025-02-21 21:56:26 UTC

Post by Skeezix LaRocca
In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as
a whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

That is certainly not my experience today. Most people I see know very
little about the book even though they say "the Big Book says" when I
know it doesn't. I've given up caring anymore. Today it's all about
getting your next chip and telling war stories.

Skeezix LaRocca

2025-02-25 21:09:39 UTC

Post by Skeezix LaRocca
In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as
a whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

I'll agree with it all being about chip collecting and war stories
today, and that is precisely why all but quit going to in person
meetings locally, but have found 3 good Zoom Meetings.

Personally, me knowing the book did nothing to accelerate a better way
to live, but the steps did..My mindset tells me the book is the
mechanics guide, where the steps are the owners manual. 99% of my
trouble can be reduced by going to the owners manual..I have no desire
to try and be the mechanic, unless it is absolutely necessary.

--
We all do better when we all do better.

Paul Wellstone

badgolferman

2025-02-25 21:48:42 UTC

My mindset tells me the book is the mechanics guide, where the steps
are the owners manual.

I disagree. The Big Book provides the directions for _how_ to do the
12 Steps and live your life afterward. It is the owner's manual,
mechanic's guide, and cook book to recovery from alcoholism for the
"real alcoholic". What you hear in meetings is nothing more than a
mish mash of different people's experiences which won't necessarily
work for the "real alcoholic". It's necessary to have both -- the book
to get a basic understanding and the fellowship to see it in action.

Socrates

2025-02-25 22:26:58 UTC

My mindset tells me the book is the mechanics guide, where the steps
are the owners manual.

Hearing peoples stories was key for me. Not finding religion but the
before and after lifestyles and attitudes about life and sober living.

Fred Exley

2025-02-25 22:38:08 UTC

My mindset tells me the book is the mechanics guide, where the steps
are the owners manual.

Hearing peoples stories was key for me. Not finding religion but the
before and after lifestyles and attitudes about life and sober living.

Same here. The camaraderie of "wow, that's exactly how it was with me
too" make the meetings worthwhile.

Skeezix LaRocca

2025-02-25 23:17:05 UTC

My mindset tells me the book is the mechanics guide, where the steps
are the owners manual.

I will agree to disagree..Thumpers act as if anything written after 1939
is irrelevant..I don't look at it that way..I'll take the knowledge of
the BB, plus the collective knowledge of members through the years.

That is what works for me. Your mileage may vary.

--
We all do better when we all do better.

Paul Wellstone

Charlie M. 1958

2025-02-26 03:15:31 UTC

My mindset tells me the book is the mechanics guide, where the steps
are the owners manual.

You guys are both wrong.

The BB is the owner's manual, the 12x12 is mechanic's reference, and the
12 Steps are the cheat sheet for guys like me who generally disregard
directions.

Socrates

2025-02-21 23:00:51 UTC

Post by Socrates
I just did a search on Bing: "Is alcoholics anonymous a cult?'
The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous
Its faith-based 12-step program dominates treatment in the United
States. But researchers have debunked central tenets of AA doctrine
and found dozens of other treatments more effective.
A number of ex-members and addiction treatment professionals have
accused it of having cult-like qualities and using brainwashing and
bullying methods that weak and vulnerable people are particularly
susceptible to.
In the US, the anti-AA lobby has been further fueled by the recent
publication of two books; Alcoholics Anonymous: Cult or Cure? by
Charles Bufe and The Real AA by Ken Ragge.
There is also a support group on the Internet called Recovery From 12 Steps.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality- of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-
alcoholic/201503/irrationality-aa?msockid=15ac4813ffb562ba121f46fbfe97637a

I will agree that some of AA is cult like..I say that from personal
experience. Some groups I have been to make me shake my head and head
for the door. Their entire meeting is nothing but Big Book quotes and
jumping down people's throats, telling them that they are not a
*real_alcoholic* . Many of these types of people are those that you can
dress up, but do you really want to take them anywhere. They may have 40
plus years, but have *nothing* but AA.
In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as a
whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to church and you
know how I felt. To me it always came down to a simple choice.

Learning about hypoglycemia and attending meetings that resembled
revivals made the choice easy. I have always supported sobriety as a
lifestyle with or without deities and wouldn't hesitate to mention AA to
someone having trouble controlling their drinking but I would also
suggest a glucose tolerance test.

badgolferman

2025-02-22 01:14:32 UTC

Post by Socrates
Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to church and you
know how I felt.

This is about 90% of people who come to AA for the first time, including
myself. You’re not unique in that way. The main difference between you and
the other 90% is that they realized they were powerless over alcohol and
needed a Power greater than themselves to get over it. You were not
powerless over alcohol and just made a decision to stop drinking. The Big
Book describes people like you and even gives you credit for being able to
do it. The rest of us couldn’t do it no matter what methods we tried.

Socrates

2025-02-22 15:26:50 UTC

Post by Socrates
Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to church and you
know how I felt.

If I were active in AA I would make a point of carrying some literature
about hypoglycemia for newcomers, especially if they exhibited symptoms
like mood swings and binging on sweets.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia

badgolferman

2025-02-22 15:39:26 UTC

Post by Socrates
Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to church and you
know how I felt.

If I were active in AA I would make a point of carrying some literature
about hypoglycemia for newcomers, especially if they exhibited symptoms
like mood swings and binging on sweets.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia

Old news.

“One of the many doctors who had the opportunity of reading this book in
manuscript form told us that the use of sweets was often helpful, of course
depending upon a doctor’s advice. He thought all alcoholics
should constantly have chocolate available for its quick energy value at
times of fatigue. He added that occasionally in the night a vague craving
arose which would be satisfied by candy. Many of us have noticed a tendency
to eat sweets and have found this practice beneficial.”
Big Book 133-134

Socrates

2025-02-22 16:56:52 UTC

Post by Socrates
Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to church and you
know how I felt.

If I were active in AA I would make a point of carrying some literature
about hypoglycemia for newcomers, especially if they exhibited symptoms
like mood swings and binging on sweets.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia

Old news.
“One of the many doctors who had the opportunity of reading this book in
manuscript form told us that the use of sweets was often helpful, of course
depending upon a doctor’s advice. He thought all alcoholics
should constantly have chocolate available for its quick energy value at
times of fatigue. He added that occasionally in the night a vague craving
arose which would be satisfied by candy. Many of us have noticed a tendency
to eat sweets and have found this practice beneficial.”
Big Book 133-134

Very old and very dangerous news.

What to know about alcohol and hypoglycemia:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia

Socrates

2025-02-22 16:59:32 UTC

Post by Socrates
Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to church and you
know how I felt.

If I were active in AA I would make a point of carrying some literature
about hypoglycemia for newcomers, especially if they exhibited symptoms
like mood swings and binging on sweets.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia

Old news.
“One of the many doctors who had the opportunity of reading this book in
manuscript form told us that the use of sweets was often helpful, of course
depending upon a doctor’s advice. He thought all alcoholics
should constantly have chocolate available for its quick energy value at
times of fatigue. He added that occasionally in the night a vague craving
arose which would be satisfied by candy. Many of us have noticed a tendency
to eat sweets and have found this practice beneficial.”
Big Book 133-134

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

drowsiness
slurred speech
confusion
feeling shaky
fast heartbeat
lightheadedness or dizziness
hunger
nausea
headaches
seizures

Many of these symptoms are also signs of being drunk, making it
challenging to tell if someone is hypoglycemic or intoxicated.

badgolferman

2025-02-22 17:17:53 UTC

Post by Socrates
Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to
church and you know how I felt.

This is about 90% of people who come to AA for the first time,
including myself. You’re not unique in that way. The main
difference between you and the other 90% is that they realized
they were powerless over alcohol and needed a Power greater
than themselves to get over it. You were not powerless over
alcohol and just made a decision to stop drinking. The Big Book
describes people like you and even gives you credit for being
able to do it. The rest of us couldn’t do it no matter what
methods we tried.

If I were active in AA I would make a point of carrying some
literature about hypoglycemia for newcomers, especially if they
exhibited symptoms like mood swings and binging on sweets.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia

Old news.
“One of the many doctors who had the opportunity of reading this
book in manuscript form told us that the use of sweets was often
helpful, of course depending upon a doctor’s advice. He thought all
alcoholics should constantly have chocolate available for its quick
energy value at times of fatigue. He added that occasionally in the
night a vague craving arose which would be satisfied by candy. Many
of us have noticed a tendency to eat sweets and have found this
practice beneficial.” Big Book 133-134

Signs and symptoms
drowsiness
slurred speech
confusion
feeling shaky
fast heartbeat
lightheadedness or dizziness
hunger
nausea
headaches
seizures
Many of these symptoms are also signs of being drunk, making it
challenging to tell if someone is hypoglycemic or intoxicated.

Well, we know which one you were...

--
"When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut." ~ Will Rogers

Socrates

2025-02-22 18:57:17 UTC

Post by Socrates
Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to
church and you know how I felt.

This is about 90% of people who come to AA for the first time,
including myself. You’re not unique in that way. The main
difference between you and the other 90% is that they realized
they were powerless over alcohol and needed a Power greater
than themselves to get over it. You were not powerless over
alcohol and just made a decision to stop drinking. The Big Book
describes people like you and even gives you credit for being
able to do it. The rest of us couldn’t do it no matter what
methods we tried.

If I were active in AA I would make a point of carrying some
literature about hypoglycemia for newcomers, especially if they
exhibited symptoms like mood swings and binging on sweets.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia

Old news.
“One of the many doctors who had the opportunity of reading this
book in manuscript form told us that the use of sweets was often
helpful, of course depending upon a doctor’s advice. He thought all
alcoholics should constantly have chocolate available for its quick
energy value at times of fatigue. He added that occasionally in the
night a vague craving arose which would be satisfied by candy. Many
of us have noticed a tendency to eat sweets and have found this
practice beneficial.” Big Book 133-134

Well, we know which one you were...

LOL, how many does a humble AA veteran like yourself imagine they speak for?

Pluted Pup

2025-02-26 07:14:19 UTC

I will agree that some of AA is cult like..I say that from personal
experience. Some groups I have been to make me shake my head and head
for the door. Their entire meeting is nothing but Big Book quotes and
jumping down people's throats, telling them that they are not a
*real_alcoholic* . Many of these types of people are those that you can
dress up, but do you really want to take them anywhere. They may have 40
plus years, but have *nothing* but AA.
In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as a
whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to church and you
know how I felt. To me it always came down to a simple choice.

That's something that changed in the last 5 years, from most
meetings held in churches to nearly all meetings being in
churches. Perhaps my local government has been reading The
politically correct The Atlantic and Psychology Today and have
refused to allow nearly all meetings at park houses and no
meetings at city buildings.

Post by Socrates
Learning about hypoglycemia and attending meetings that resembled
revivals made the choice easy. I have always supported sobriety as a
lifestyle with or without deities and wouldn't hesitate to mention AA to
someone having trouble controlling their drinking but I would also
suggest a glucose tolerance test.

So you're offended by all the Black Lives Matter and Trans Flag
propaganda churches are decorated with? Well so am I but with
the help of AA I've learned that I don't have to agree with
everything I see or hear.

Socrates

2025-02-26 07:31:20 UTC

747

Sharx335

2025-02-26 18:26:19 UTC

747

That 747 crewed by Frank??!!

Pluted Pup

2025-02-26 22:23:56 UTC

747

747

There is not a thing in the links you posted that
even implied that sugar is a worse thing for alcoholics
than drinking alcohol. As the article indicates, it
applies to diabetics and does not address alcoholic
drinking.

The idea that alcoholics should switch to low carb
alcohol to solve their drinking problem is farcical.

They removed the "switching from scotch to brandy" in
the plain language big book but maybe they should
add "switching from beer to brandy" as among the
fruitless endeavors that we did in our attempts
to control and enjoy our drinking.

Socrates

2025-03-01 00:48:28 UTC

747

Doctors associate alcohol consumption with a higher risk of hypoglycemia
or low blood sugar. The body requires blood sugar balance to function
properly.

What to know about alcohol and hypoglycemia:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia

Post by Pluted Pup
The idea that alcoholics should switch to low carb
alcohol to solve their drinking problem is farcical.

Who suggested that?

Post by Pluted Pup
They removed the "switching from scotch to brandy" in
the plain language big book but maybe they should
add "switching from beer to brandy" as among the
fruitless endeavors that we did in our attempts
to control and enjoy our drinking.

So it went.

Sharx335

2025-02-26 18:25:43 UTC

I will agree that some of AA is cult like..I say that from personal
experience. Some groups I have been to make me shake my head and head
for the door. Their entire meeting is nothing but Big Book quotes and
jumping down people's throats, telling them that they are not a
*real_alcoholic* . Many of these types of people are those that you can
dress up, but do you really want to take them anywhere. They may have 40
plus years, but have *nothing* but AA.
In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as a
whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

Imagine being an agnostic who was court ordered to go to church and you
know how I felt. To me it always came down to a simple choice.

WTF kind of "progressive" are you being so open-minded to things
contrary to your narrative...your "truth", as it were?

Pluted Pup

2025-02-26 06:43:57 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a
newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?
My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.
Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

I didn´t say life advice, I said AA advice. That implies one
actually knows
something about the concepts and traditions of the program. By your own
admission you´ve never been involved with AA at any capacity.

Trying to have a reasonable, respectable conversation with you is like
roller skating in a gravel pit, (don't ask me how I know).

Obvious to you. What (fortunately) became obvious to me and many other
agnostics was that the key to recovery was not embracing a mythical
deity but understanding hypoglycemia.

Post by badgolferman
Maybe since you´re not an AA member I should give you some slack, but
when
you give AA advice try to use your own experiences rather than repeat
something you don´t understand which you heard somewhere.

I will agree that some of AA is cult like..I say that from personal
experience. Some groups I have been to make me shake my head and head
for the door. Their entire meeting is nothing but Big Book quotes and
jumping down people's throats, telling them that they are not a
*real_alcoholic* . Many of these types of people are those that you can
dress up, but do you really want to take them anywhere. They may have 40
plus years, but have *nothing* but AA.
In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as a
whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

You guys say a lot of weird stuff about AA I can't relate to.

Part of acquiring the skill set that doing AA can help with is the
awesome power to tolerate people saying wrong stuff in meetings and
the truly magical ability not to believe everything you hear.
Do all the meetings you go to forbid laughter?

Sharx335

2025-02-26 18:24:05 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a
newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?
My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.
Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

Trying to have a reasonable, respectable conversation with you is like
roller skating in a gravel pit, (don't ask me how I know).

Obvious to you. What (fortunately) became obvious to me and many other
agnostics was that the key to recovery was not embracing a mythical
deity but understanding hypoglycemia.

I will agree that some of AA is cult like..I say that from personal
experience. Some groups I have been to make me shake my head and head
for the door. Their entire meeting is nothing but Big Book quotes and
jumping down people's throats, telling them that they are not a
*real_alcoholic* . Many of these types of people are those that you can
dress up, but do you really want to take them anywhere. They may have 40
plus years, but have *nothing* but AA.
In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as a
whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

You guys say a lot of weird stuff about AA I can't relate to.
Part of acquiring the skill set that doing AA can help with is the
awesome power to tolerate people saying wrong stuff in meetings and
the truly magical ability not to believe everything you hear.
Do all the meetings you go to forbid laughter?

You've probably read somewhere in the literature, "We are not a glum
lot". In MY experience a lot of self-styled "progressives" are exactly
that--Glum with a capital G. Anything not in sync with their liberal
narrative can have no humour component.

Pluted Pup

2025-02-26 06:55:54 UTC

When was the last time you went to an AA meeting?

When it was court ordered. It reminded me of a religious revival.
Being a doubting Thomas I didn't hang around to long.

So what makes you qualified to provide AA advice?

LOL, advice? You mean qualified to share a perspective on a
newsgroup?
What makes you qualified to ask for qualifications?
My early life was dramatically impacted by years of my fathers
alcoholism. His choices led not just to the usual chaos of alcoholic
families but to an early death at 44 leaving my mother, myself, my two
younger brothers and 5 sisters in poverty.
Then there were my adventures, failed relationships, DUI's, and a fatal
boating accident for a friend.

Trying to have a reasonable, respectable conversation with you is like
roller skating in a gravel pit, (don't ask me how I know).

Obvious to you. What (fortunately) became obvious to me and many other
agnostics was that the key to recovery was not embracing a mythical
deity but understanding hypoglycemia.

I will agree that some of AA is cult like..I say that from personal
experience. Some groups I have been to make me shake my head and head
for the door. Their entire meeting is nothing but Big Book quotes and
jumping down people's throats, telling them that they are not a
*real_alcoholic* . Many of these types of people are those that you can
dress up, but do you really want to take them anywhere. They may have 40
plus years, but have *nothing* but AA.
In all fairness, most groups are not like that, but I do find AA, as a
whole, far more dogmatic than it was in 1982, when I first came in.

Gee, all the oldtimers I've heard say "we had it tough in those days",
'no fooling around, no questions allowed, stuff your mouth with
cotton, we don't want to hear what you have to say, do as your told
or leave.'

I didn't realize that the 1980's were the "laid back" era of AA, but
you know better than me.

Maybe in another 40 years AA will turn into the traditional boot camp.

Skeezix LaRocca

2025-02-19 19:42:15 UTC

Post by badgolferman
Last night at the meeting a fellow I've never seen before picked up a
28-year medallion. Around here it's customary for the recipient to
make a speech about "how they did it". He went on to tell us all about
his crack cocaine use and how he hit bottom when he realized he lost
his stash. He tried NA for two years but decided to stick with AA.
There were way more descriptions about his crack cocaine use than that
but I'll spare you the details.
A treatment center group of people were in the meeting and they
obviously saw someone with long term "sobriety" discuss their drug use
in an AA meeting, so it sets an example for them later. I considered
interrupting him and reminding him what the open meeting statement
which we read says, "...we ask that all who participate confine their
discussion to their problems with alcohol." However by then I was in
such a foul mood that whatever I said wasn't going to be in the spirit
of love and tolerance so I kept my mouth shut. I was hoping the
chairman or a home group member would mention something after he was
done but they didn't.
I know there are a few drug addicts in this group who go to AA. Do you
respect and honor the singleness of purpose concept or do you disregard
the traditions of AA and talk about your drug use in detail? Do you
have any suggestions on what to say to people who flagrantly break AA
traditions that way? Last time this happened in my home group I
confronted the person during the meeting and apparently there was some
fallout from that. That is the way it was handled in my early days; by
nipping it in the bud and preventing it from becoming acceptable
behavior.

I have *never* blew a gasket when a member *briefly* mentions that they
also used weed, or drugs, but when they talk at length or often about
it, I find it annoying.

Personally, I am very lucky in the two meetings I attend that I don't
hear a lot of drug shares. Many times when people voice opposition to
breaking singleness of purpose, you often hear replies like...Well NA
sucks, and these people have to go somewhere."...Yeah, no shit. NA will
continue to suck if we keep plucking the best and brightest among them.

--
We all do better when we all do better.

Paul Wellstone

Pluted Pup

2025-02-26 06:32:16 UTC