Comments on: Stop Drinking Without Alcoholics Anonymous

by: Debbie

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:55:52 +0000

Thank you so much, after 5 years in AA. (these last 2 not in AA) I am forever grateful to you, Scared of leaving and dying the alcoholic death that was so embedded in my brain from the “old timers”. One day I said “God if you are not bigger than a church basement, then send me back to hell. You get it, I hear it in your writing. HELL! After leaving I could only remember the ” cult ” people. You have reminded me of the beautiful and intelligent people who are in AA and make it the warm place for broken people to fall and mend back together to become strong people to help others just like us. You have reminded me how much I love the ” Big Book” especially page 95. This is the most truthful beautiful thing that I have ever read about AA. I love your humor. I don’t need a meeting, but you sure make me want to go to one! If they ever start promoting, you should be their PR person.
Love and Respect,
One of Us

by: shmrd

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:32:15 +0000

I go to 12 step mtgs because there’s no other recovery groups around here. And I use therapy to complement what I get from the 12 steps. But I happen to think that if I’m going to get abstinent, I”ll get abstinent no matter where I am or what I’m doing or who I’m around.

My fav saying from 12 step groups is “Take what you like and leave the rest.” If not for that saying, I’d have left a long time ago.

Anyhow, I’m glad for your honesty and open-mindedness. I wish more sober 12-steppers would be like that. Thanks.

by: Chris T.

Mon, 23 May 2011 20:24:52 +0000

That was one of the most well written explanation of the truths behind A.A. I am 27 years old male from northern NJ. I have been trying to get sober since 2006, its now May 2011. I was forced into rehabs and AA for many years, but I never had the desire to stop. Then one day i had an “ah-hah” moment where I realized that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired! 2 days later I went back to AA, but it was my own descion to go this time. The first few weeks I was do happy and excited about AA or so I thought. As time went by, I started hearing statements and comments that would make me feel more depressed after going to the meetings. I eventually stopped going because of the mind set that some old timers and extremists had, and preached. I constantly voiced at meetings that I was so happy the my cravings for alcohol and marijuana had become so minimal, pretty much non-existent. People constantly reassured me that this would eventually fade away and that the cravings would come back without AA. This was a major turn off. I don’t believe that AA is the reason people stay sober, its because the sick person got sick and tired of being sick and tired. If people enjoy the support of AA, I feel that is excellent…but people need to give themselves credit for not drinking/drugging instead of saying a higher power took their desire away. I am a very spiritual and religious person, but my biggest problem with the steps is surrendering our will to a higher power. God gave us free will, or so it is widely believed, so why would I surrender that? My other issue was that people would ex-communicate a person if they decided to leave AA, even if the person planned to remain sober. This happened to me and it was pretty sad and sickening at the same time. I am still sober, and still have no triggers because for an addictive person like me, I know that it starts with JUST ONE drink of alcohol or hit of weed. If AA had more honest and truthful people like you, the success rate would be much higher. But as they say at the end of every meeting, it works if you work it, so work it, you’re worth it….so keep doing what your doing and I hope you can help change the way people view AA, one person at a time. I am truly grateful for your honesty. God Bless

-Chris T. (a fellow member in recovery)

by: Learning&Growing

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:30:00 +0000

I have just stumbled across your site and this is the second page I have read top to bottom and I can’t stop reading. Because I appreciate your perspectives - it is obvious you are a talented writer who speaks honestly and with love. You speak of flaws, but not from a place of hate; rather from a giving heart trying to share & educate. Alcohol dependency surrounds me and reading your posts is proving to be very informative and uplifting. Thank you.

by: Tom d

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:48:37 +0000

AA is a joke after treatment I went to serveral meetings only to fine A BUNCH OF LOOSERS I would never want anything to do with any of them they are all broke and looking for free hand out never will I promote them they need to take the money and give it to a real place to help people and make sure they can pay

by: samsara

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:27:27 +0000

Hi Rachel. Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond.

I am sorry about your trials in dealing with your alcoholic mother. Something I have noticed recently with our dealing with alcoholic loved ones is “anger.” Yeah. I’m seeing it in the lives of people who feel they have no choice in the matter. When there are.

And yeah…Straight was definitely one of my larger trials. Thanks for letting me know you read it. :-)

by: Rachel

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:38:26 +0000

Wow, You’re amazing! I have an alcoholic mother, and I’m trying to help her deal with it!! Its really hard on me and her. This article just gave me a lot of comfort! Thanks..
Oh yea and I read the thing on Straight Inc. and Im sorry you had to go through that. What a terrible milestone to overcome.

by: joey

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:44:21 +0000

People at Alcoholics Anonymous will not tell you whether you are an alcoholic or not. So it is up to you to judge if you are one, in case there are any doubts. If you feel the urges or cravings to lay hands on your favorite poison, always end up drinking more than what you wanted to, or are physically dependent on alcohol to get you through the day or the night, then you are what can be termed an alcohol dependent or alcoholic person.

———————————————

joey

Drug Treatment

by: June from Video Scrapbook Tutorials

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:56:29 +0000

I worked as an addictions counselor for many years. I agree that AA is not the only way for a person to get and stay sober. No two people are exactly alike, and no single approach is the answer for all. Having said that, I believe that the 12 steps are a beautiful, spiritual way of life and no one would be the worse off for practicing them. When I became interested in the Law of Attraction and spirituality about a year ago, I was impressed with the way those practices fit with the 12 step program.

by: samsara

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:03:16 +0000

Hi Alan :)

For me, what i discovered as the common denominator -without AA or WITH AA - is my conscious contact with a higher power in conjunction with the dispelling of my false self/ego.

For me, this was the combination. However, some AA meetings [in line with what you said about getting tired of it] and some of the personalities therein almost require me to adopt an ego and when this happens I take a break.

Mine is a male god because I have daddy issues. LoL…Not kidding. I vaccilate between a new age philosophy, my native american roots, and concept to Mother Earth and to a MALE God. Yeah…but it works! LoL

So I say…whatever works! Alan. I am so glad you stopped by!