Comments on: Alcoholics and Drug Addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/ Embracing the Journey Mon, 21 May 2012 09:43:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.6 by: David B. http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-39140 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:43:52 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-39140 Rant Rant rant~! Sounds like a bunch of alkies AND addicts to me! I thoroughly qualify as both, and I really do love both of ya. Sad to say some of the judgmentalism has seeped into NA as well. In some NA meetings, they get really hot if you say you are an alcoholic and focus on your drug of choice -- alcohol! That tells me that we ALL suffer from an allergy of the body and a disease of the mind, regardless of the medium we use to get there, that we have found ourselves at one time or another in a truly wretched and hopeless state -- no human power could have probably relieved us, and, sure enough -- God could and would if he were sought. LIke the lady in an AA convention shared just this year, "Does it REALLY matter just how the jackass got in the ditch?" Well, we both lukily have rule 62 and the fourth step to lean on for real recovery. I AM RESPONSIBLE opster says nothing about qualification of suffering. Love and tolerance is our code... Restraint of pen and tongue... AA -- always mired in controversy (stated, I am sure, with the tongue firmly cemented in the cheek. I am really blessed to care deeply for all addicts, alcoholics, OAs, GAs,SAs, etc., etc., etc., Love you all. God bless! PS: I have 22 years clean and sober, and I almost exclusively share about alcohol in AA meetings out of respect. Rant Rant rant~!
Sounds like a bunch of alkies AND addicts to me!
I thoroughly qualify as both, and I really do love both of ya.
Sad to say some of the judgmentalism has seeped into NA as well. In some NA meetings, they get really hot if you say you are an alcoholic and focus on your drug of choice — alcohol!
That tells me that we ALL suffer from an allergy of the body and a disease of the mind, regardless of the medium we use to get there, that we have found ourselves at one time or another in a truly wretched and hopeless state — no human power could have probably relieved us, and, sure enough — God could and would if he were sought.
LIke the lady in an AA convention shared just this year, “Does it REALLY matter just how the jackass got in the ditch?”
Well, we both lukily have rule 62 and the fourth step to lean on for real recovery.
I AM RESPONSIBLE opster says nothing about qualification of suffering.
Love and tolerance is our code…
Restraint of pen and tongue…
AA — always mired in controversy (stated, I am sure, with the tongue firmly cemented in the cheek.

I am really blessed to care deeply for all addicts, alcoholics, OAs, GAs,SAs, etc., etc., etc.,

Love you all.

God bless!
PS: I have 22 years clean and sober, and I almost exclusively share about alcohol in AA meetings out of respect.

]]> by: ed http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-39054 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:58:45 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-39054 Ive read alot of material on the subject of addicts coming to AA, but nowhere does it say anything on how to handle the situation,Ive seen people get down right nasty with these people, that isnt right either,I think 2 or 3 times in a AA meeting and they should see its not for them. Ive read alot of material on the subject of addicts coming to AA, but nowhere does it say anything on how to handle the situation,Ive seen people get down right nasty with these people, that isnt right either,I think 2 or 3 times in a AA meeting and they should see its not for them.

]]> by: Will http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-36306 Thu, 20 May 2010 14:15:03 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-36306 Ann, "Underestimating the agony of drug abuse or trying to censor the speech of those who are seeking help at AA meetings is antithetical to Bill and Bob’s intent." Thank you for this food for thought. I wonder what Bill would say or do given the world wide change in patterns of additction and the widespread misery ALL drugs have caused in our society. I for one welcome anyone who has failed at attemepts at recovery and whos life is in jeopardy unless a solution can be found. We are all brothers and sisters and God no doubt smiles on us when we offer our help. Ann,
“Underestimating the agony of drug abuse or trying to censor the speech of those who are seeking help at AA meetings is antithetical to Bill and Bob’s intent.”
Thank you for this food for thought. I wonder what Bill would say or do given the world wide change in patterns of additction and the widespread misery ALL drugs have caused in our society. I for one welcome anyone who has failed at attemepts at recovery and whos life is in jeopardy unless a solution can be found. We are all brothers and sisters and God no doubt smiles on us when we offer our help.

]]> by: samsara http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-34213 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:48:27 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-34213 Alcoholics Anonymous Preamble: "Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recovery from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety." 12 Traditions 1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. 2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. 3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. 4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. 5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. 6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. 7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. 8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. 9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. 10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. 11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films. 12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. What GSO says about Drug Addicts in A.A. <a title="Drug Addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous" href="http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-35_ProOtherThanAlcohol1.pdf" rel="nofollow">Problems Other than Alcohol</a> [.pdf] Alcoholics Anonymous Preamble:

“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recovery from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”

12 Traditions
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.

2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.

5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

What GSO says about Drug Addicts in A.A.
Problems Other than Alcohol [.pdf]

]]> by: Ann Langfitt http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-34050 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:48:26 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-34050 Wow. I'm sitting here with a desktop covered with articles addressing the addict/alcoholic issue. All of them overwhelmingly agree that alcohol is a drug. Therefore, alcoholics are drug addicts. This is fact. Rather than wasting our energy over semantics, why don't we all try to expand our cosmology and welcome all who are at risk due to addiction? Purism is passe. It is becoming increasingly obvious that we are all one...one world, one race...human. Underestimating the agony of drug abuse or trying to censor the speech of those who are seeking help at AA meetings is antithetical to Bill and Bob's intent. The AA program hints at divine origin, so be a manifestation of that origin. Stand at the door of the next meeting you go to and extend your hand to everyone who enters. Make AA a safe harbor again. Assure the newcomer that AA's 12 step program works whether you're an addict or an alcoholic. I began going to meetings for grief. I was dying from grief. The program brought me back. Don't smirk at the suffering, whether it be an addict or someone with another ism. Relate. You are one of them. Namaste Wow. I’m sitting here with a desktop covered with articles addressing the addict/alcoholic issue. All of them overwhelmingly agree that alcohol is a drug. Therefore, alcoholics are drug addicts. This is fact. Rather than wasting our energy over semantics, why don’t we all try to expand our cosmology and welcome all who are at risk due to addiction? Purism is passe. It is becoming increasingly obvious that we are all one…one world, one race…human. Underestimating the agony of drug abuse or trying to censor the speech of those who are seeking help at AA meetings is antithetical to Bill and Bob’s intent. The AA program hints at divine origin, so be a manifestation of that origin. Stand at the door of the next meeting you go to and extend your hand to everyone who enters. Make AA a safe harbor again. Assure the newcomer that AA’s 12 step program works whether you’re an addict or an alcoholic. I began going to meetings for grief. I was dying from grief. The program brought me back. Don’t smirk at the suffering, whether it be an addict or someone with another ism. Relate. You are one of them. Namaste

]]> by: Bob http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-31521 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:42:22 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-31521 The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Alcohol is a drug and NA members don't drink. They should be allowed in closed A.A. meetings. I have been verbally attacked by the "A.A. Police" for attending closed meeting and I don't say Addict or share about drugs in A.A. meetings. When I drink I will smoke or snort what ever is put in front of me so I prefer N.A., but I only have three meetings a week where I live. I have been ordered by a judge (long ago) to attend A.A. and some arm chair expert wants to tell me I an not allowed when they have no knowledge of my history. Most treatment centers treat Addiction they don't get into Jack Daniels versus Meth or Heroin. Have a little tolerance and remember most normal people don't walk into a meeting unless they are having a problem. Peace The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Alcohol is a drug and NA members don’t drink. They should be allowed in closed A.A. meetings. I have been verbally attacked by the “A.A. Police” for attending closed meeting and I don’t say Addict or share about drugs in A.A. meetings. When I drink I will smoke or snort what ever is put in front of me so I prefer N.A., but I only have three meetings a week where I live. I have been ordered by a judge (long ago) to attend A.A. and some arm chair expert wants to tell me I an not allowed when they have no knowledge of my history. Most treatment centers treat Addiction they don’t get into Jack Daniels versus Meth or Heroin. Have a little tolerance and remember most normal people don’t walk into a meeting unless they are having a problem. Peace

]]> by: Angel http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-30727 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:08:41 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-30727 Steve, I hear what you're saying. Which is great but it's kind of like if you don't get hit don't holler. If you feel that way or that's not your experience then that is great. I'm glad you don't feel superior as no one should. At the end of the day, some drug addicts feel that way when going to an AA meeting and it may not be your meeting or the website host's meeting but it does happen. As far as your reference to alcohol and cigarettes, well that's apple and oranges and I'm not talking fruit. Neither of those things has affected you in the manner as drug/alcohol does. We are in fact talking about a NA member attending an AA meeting when maybe they desire a meeting and for whatever reason can not get to a NA meeting. I'm not talking about sharing. Not everyone shares at their respective meeting or is even ready to. I'm talking about a meeting that provids the principles needed to maintain recovery. The principles could be used by anyone addict or no. We're talking about making it through the next moment or the next day. The truth is that a true NA member ( one who puts the practices to use, you know, a recovering addict) would probably know not to share but to walk away with what they need to make it one more day, hour or minute. We're not talking regular just a visitor You're entitled to feel differently but I just needed to clarify that. Steve, I hear what you’re saying. Which is great but it’s kind of like if you don’t get hit don’t holler. If you feel that way or that’s not your experience then that is great. I’m glad you don’t feel superior as no one should. At the end of the day, some drug addicts feel that way when going to an AA meeting and it may not be your meeting or the website host’s meeting but it does happen. As far as your reference to alcohol and cigarettes, well that’s apple and oranges and I’m not talking fruit. Neither of those things has affected you in the manner as drug/alcohol does.
We are in fact talking about a NA member attending an AA meeting when maybe they desire a meeting and for whatever reason can not get to a NA meeting. I’m not talking about sharing. Not everyone shares at their respective meeting or is even ready to. I’m talking about a meeting that provids the principles needed to maintain recovery. The principles could be used by anyone addict or no. We’re talking about making it through the next moment or the next day. The truth is that a true NA member ( one who puts the practices to use, you know, a recovering addict) would probably know not to share but to walk away with what they need to make it one more day, hour or minute. We’re not talking regular just a visitor
You’re entitled to feel differently but I just needed to clarify that.

]]> by: STEVE http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-30621 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:38:50 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-30621 Well, I hope that nobody ever makes anybody feel unwelcome in an OPEN meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. But even in those meetings, how can a non-alcoholic share his/her experience, strength & hope about what it used to be like, what happened and what it's like now concerning their alcoholism? If one happens to be ALCOHOLIC...AA has no opinion on whatever ELSE one might be. I just say "My name is Steve and I am an Alcoholic". I don't say "My name is Steve and I am an Alcoholic and a Smoker And a Coffee Drinker". Concerning "A Drug Is A Drug Is A Drug" statement: Let me indulge with a simple analogy...An Apple is a fruit, an Orange is a fruit...Alcoholics need orange juice. Thank God MOST doctors know the difference between morphine and Tylenol, and the difference between Amphetamine and Caffeine. I am a practicing "Drug Addict", which is one of the reasons I don't attend Narcotics Anonymous...I smoke cigarettes and drink coffee. I would feel like a hypocrite since I don't have a desire to quit either. But I don't feel like a hypocrite in AA BECAUSE OF THEIR SINGLENESS OF PURPOSE. It's not a matter of feeling that I'm BETTER than them, for, in that instance, you might say I'm WORSE. I just believe that I'm DIFFERENT in that I am bodily and mentally different than those who are not ALCOHOLIC. Well, I hope that nobody ever makes anybody feel unwelcome in an OPEN meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. But even in those meetings, how can a non-alcoholic share his/her experience, strength & hope about what it used to be like, what happened and what it’s like now concerning their alcoholism? If one happens to be ALCOHOLIC…AA has no opinion on whatever ELSE one might be. I just say “My name is Steve and I am an Alcoholic”. I don’t say “My name is Steve and I am an Alcoholic and a Smoker And a Coffee Drinker”.
Concerning “A Drug Is A Drug Is A Drug” statement: Let me indulge with a simple analogy…An Apple is a fruit, an Orange is a fruit…Alcoholics need orange juice.
Thank God MOST doctors know the difference between morphine and Tylenol, and the difference between Amphetamine and Caffeine.
I am a practicing “Drug Addict”, which is one of the reasons I don’t attend Narcotics Anonymous…I smoke cigarettes and drink coffee. I would feel like a hypocrite since I don’t have a desire to quit either. But I don’t feel like a hypocrite in AA BECAUSE OF THEIR SINGLENESS OF PURPOSE. It’s not a matter of feeling that I’m BETTER than them, for, in that instance, you might say I’m WORSE. I just believe that I’m DIFFERENT in that I am bodily and mentally different than those who are not ALCOHOLIC.

]]> by: Angel http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-30556 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:43:47 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-30556 It is your site. I just think that the incidences that you describe are at best random but definitely not the whole. The thing is that anyone that really wnats help wants help. The people you encounter are not even ready to stop. If you want a neat little meeting in a box then not having addicts in AA meetings is the solution. I'm more interested in, if i understand you right, that alcohol is not a drug. I know you haven't stated that but it's implied. Even though you may not have done the things a drug addict has to use, you are still using and the negative result is till the same. But for meetings sake, maybe what you desire is best. Steve, it's not that the rest of us does not understand. I totally agree with it. My issue is that sometimes, for whatever reason, a drug addict shouldn't feel unwelcomed. It may be all they have at that moment to get to the next moment. It could make the difference. It is your site. I just think that the incidences that you describe are at best random but definitely not the whole. The thing is that anyone that really wnats help wants help. The people you encounter are not even ready to stop. If you want a neat little meeting in a box then not having addicts in AA meetings is the solution. I’m more interested in, if i understand you right, that alcohol is not a drug. I know you haven’t stated that but it’s implied. Even though you may not have done the things a drug addict has to use, you are still using and the negative result is till the same. But for meetings sake, maybe what you desire is best.
Steve, it’s not that the rest of us does not understand. I totally agree with it. My issue is that sometimes, for whatever reason, a drug addict shouldn’t feel unwelcomed. It may be all they have at that moment to get to the next moment. It could make the difference.

]]> by: Steve K. http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-30329 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:45:27 +0000 http://samsara.ihostyou.com/alcoholics-drug-addicts-in-alcoholics-anonymous/#comment-30329 It was refreshing to know that there are at least 2 of us who understand the singleness of purpose anymore. It was refreshing to know that there are at least 2 of us who understand the singleness of purpose anymore.

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