I've always viewed AA as a far greater 'existential threat' to organized religion than to atheism.
And AA isn't the only way. But for courts, they need something with some positive control, like 'court cards'. (I've signed them, but they actually violate some internal rules of AA) So courts like to send drunks to AA. I've encountered people that have never set foot in an AA meeting that have achieved sobriety.
Something else that 'works' is continuing to drink but having dedicated enablers at the ready. Kids and spouses can be employed to make drinking 'work' far longer for people than for the folks with nobody. Kids can clean up vomit, they can pretend not to be disappointed when drunk mom or dad forgets to pick them up after soccer practice. Spouse can hide car keys, and take on an extra job to pay for the damage that accrues from drunken mate. Even very young children can turn off the TV and lights at night when parent is passed out on floor laying in their own excrement, and they can get themselves off to school the next day if the parent is still glued to the floor the following morning. (dried vomit and shit can be surprisingly effective as glue)
Someone I went to high school with managed to drink himself to death, and all he had to do was be a pleasant drunk. He never picked fights or caused a ruckus, and no one ever bothered to confront him over his prodigious drinking. He died just short of his 50th birthday, and was more or less functional (mostly less) up until just a few hours before his liver crashed and burned.
Don't think AA is the only way for even a minute.
And AA isn't the only way. But for courts, they need something with some positive control, like 'court cards'. (I've signed them, but they actually violate some internal rules of AA) So courts like to send drunks to AA. I've encountered people that have never set foot in an AA meeting that have achieved sobriety.
Something else that 'works' is continuing to drink but having dedicated enablers at the ready. Kids and spouses can be employed to make drinking 'work' far longer for people than for the folks with nobody. Kids can clean up vomit, they can pretend not to be disappointed when drunk mom or dad forgets to pick them up after soccer practice. Spouse can hide car keys, and take on an extra job to pay for the damage that accrues from drunken mate. Even very young children can turn off the TV and lights at night when parent is passed out on floor laying in their own excrement, and they can get themselves off to school the next day if the parent is still glued to the floor the following morning. (dried vomit and shit can be surprisingly effective as glue)
Someone I went to high school with managed to drink himself to death, and all he had to do was be a pleasant drunk. He never picked fights or caused a ruckus, and no one ever bothered to confront him over his prodigious drinking. He died just short of his 50th birthday, and was more or less functional (mostly less) up until just a few hours before his liver crashed and burned.
Don't think AA is the only way for even a minute.
