I've had some issues with attendees showing up with court cards. It violates some of the traditions, but generally meetings allow the card holders to attend and sign them off.
Also, a friend of mine was given the choice of jail or going through the Salvation Army program. He took the SA option and had to endure quite a bit of proselytizing and worked in their facilities making them money. I found it annoying he had to make a hobs choice like that.
I'm not much for going to meetings anymore, I've had 27+ years to work on my 'program' such as it is.
I find these days I am more of an anachronism in the meetings, new people these days are coming in with multiple chemical issues (many I never abused because they didn't exist then) and almost all have been through rehab. My first group had no one that had been through rehab, and I just don't relate to that in someones background.
I'm also 'first pass' and boy that's a rarity these days, many folks it seems might have a coffee mug full of 30 day chips and again, I don't relate to that.
It seems like in the 'Big Book' in the early days most AAs had the 'spiritual experience' and quit drinking. Now days, most folks quit drinking (if they do that) and then gradually experience the 'spiritual experience' gradually during their first year or two (if they hold on that long).
(my take on the 'Spiritual Experience' is rather different too)
Something I found in the South Park episode "Bloody Mary" to be contrary to 'real life' was Randy at the end realizing he could control his drinking with, as Stan would say, with disciprin. Well, that's precisely the problem, addicts lack that trait. it being somewhat easier for most folks to grip abstinence than to evince control and moderation. The folks that can do that don't need to go to meetings.
Also, a friend of mine was given the choice of jail or going through the Salvation Army program. He took the SA option and had to endure quite a bit of proselytizing and worked in their facilities making them money. I found it annoying he had to make a hobs choice like that.
I'm not much for going to meetings anymore, I've had 27+ years to work on my 'program' such as it is.
I find these days I am more of an anachronism in the meetings, new people these days are coming in with multiple chemical issues (many I never abused because they didn't exist then) and almost all have been through rehab. My first group had no one that had been through rehab, and I just don't relate to that in someones background.
I'm also 'first pass' and boy that's a rarity these days, many folks it seems might have a coffee mug full of 30 day chips and again, I don't relate to that.
It seems like in the 'Big Book' in the early days most AAs had the 'spiritual experience' and quit drinking. Now days, most folks quit drinking (if they do that) and then gradually experience the 'spiritual experience' gradually during their first year or two (if they hold on that long).
(my take on the 'Spiritual Experience' is rather different too)
Something I found in the South Park episode "Bloody Mary" to be contrary to 'real life' was Randy at the end realizing he could control his drinking with, as Stan would say, with disciprin. Well, that's precisely the problem, addicts lack that trait. it being somewhat easier for most folks to grip abstinence than to evince control and moderation. The folks that can do that don't need to go to meetings.
