Lighten up sumitlal; since you don't go to bars anymore where else can you go to hear good drinking stories?

LOL!!

What people don't seem to understand is that attending AA after some amount of time is about paying it forward.

Awesome movie, Pay it Forward.

It was all the repetitious stuff that kinda turned me off AA too. I just found that boring sitting through all that intro stuff. Speaker meetings were always my favorite - you can always relate to some part of someones story - and most of them have told it so many times, they tell it well.

I'm still procrastinating about going back (to meet some sober people, if nothing else) -- good on you for giving it a shot anyway. You could try a few different types of meetings maybe -- see if you're any more comfortable there.

Or not. To each their own.

WELLLLLL, I've decided never to never mess with anyone who is working a program that works for them. I understand what you're saying, but if AA saved their lives, then GREAT! Some of us choose a different path, but remember that this can be a tough habit to kick. Just let them do what works for them, and you can do your own thing.

If you would like answers to your questions, I would be happy to help. Just as I asked about the symbol behind you on your avatar, you alleviated my ignorance and led me to investigate more deeply and appreciate what is important to you.

I think for some, you need to look at it like this: if you had to go in to the doctor one hour or more a week for, lets say, your dialysis to keep you alive-would you go?

And as far as people being really hard core AA, I look at them often like this: if you saw people dying all around you and believed you had the answer, would you maybe be pushy? I don't get offended as many truly use this to stay alive and it seems to work-even if they may sometimes become obsessed or, hell, even if they are substituting it for booze. I don't really care at this point! My answer lies somewhere else-but good for them. ANd good for society....

I believe that for many AA serves as a lifeline. I try not to knock something that seems to work for someone else. The only time I get a bit bent out of shape when it is seen as the only way. It feels a bit fanatic at that point. But again, so what really. I would rather have a fanatic AAer behind the wheel of the bus I am on than a drunken mess.

Live and let live.

I agree with you all! Live and let live. I have nothing against AA. If I were unable to quit drinking on my own, if I had not discovered yoga, if I had not met my yoga teacher, if I did not have so much family support...I might have been with AA. I just thank God for all the blessings I have had. For people it works its great.
Thanks to all of you for clearing my thoughts!

Maybe AA is not for you try another group until you find one that suits your needs.