Death without Dying

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I am not sure that the AA would be my first choice given this "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity" and "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him" crap. But if it helps you out, I am very glad for you.

It wasn't my first choice either,nor have I ever met anyone for whom that was the case. AA is the refuge of last resort for most members.


I make the following comments as you seem to have a common misunderstanding about AA and my views.I don't really care what you think,but I'm concerned that the misleading view you have presented might deter forum members who are suffering alcoholics. The probability of there being one or more is: 1


There is one and only one requirement for AA membership: A desire to stop drinking (changed from" an honest desire" about 20 years ago,as it was recognised a few drunks are capable of honesty)

There is one and one only firm principle; " Don't pick up the first drink"

There is no requirement to attend meetings. I never managed anything like the recommended "90 meetings in 90 days" The best I've ever done was 3 a week, for the first 2 years.Then it was one a week. Now I don't go at all,but know I will be welcome at any AA meeting at any time, anywhere in the world.

There are no dues or fees. Donations [from members only] are accepted at all meetings,but are not a condition of membership.

Although AA is described as "a 12 step programme." ( you quoted steps 2and 3) There is no requirement to complete ANY of the steps. I never have nor have any of my friends in AA. I've managed step 1, kinda managed step 4 ,and have ad hoc attempts at step 10 ****


AA's "Big Book" was written nearly 80 years ago by a pair of brain damaged alcoholics. I quote from memory : "We tried to find an easier,softer way,but we could not;--the following are 12 steps RECOMMENDED for recovery------"

From the beginning I was told "take what you need and leave the rest" ,which is exactly what I did and continue to do.


AA is deeply flawed,as an organisation and as a philosophy. EG I do not accept the illness model of as THE cause of alcoholism,but more likely as one of several . IMO The "chapter to the agnostic" in The Big book" is ignorant and shallow to the point of idiocy.

The chances of long term recovery ( 2 years or more) for AA members is less than 5% There.is NO OTHER PROGRAMME WITH A BETTER OUTCOME,as far as I'm aware.

For most AA members,there is nothing else.

I used AA as one tool of several. I do not claim now,and have never claimed that AA got me or anyone else sober. I DO claim the compassion and support of some of the members helped me help myself..

****

(1) We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.


(4)Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.


(10)Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.