Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
There seems to be some disagreements going on about people's beliefs and as usual AA gets drawn in to it when really in my opinion it is nothing to do with AA at all.
AA is pretty simple and goes something along the lines of this:
If you have a problem with alcohol and cant stop drinking on your own then AA has a solution that you might be interested in. It has worked for many people. A way to see alcoholism is as a mental, physical and spiritual illness and a solution to it seems to be connection to a power greater than ourselves. In AA many call that power god but if you have a different concept then thats cool. If you are interested in this solution then there is a set of 12 steps (the program) that can be followed to bring it about. If you want to do that then the steps are set out to use. If not then thats cool too, hopefully you find a way which works for you.
Because there are no bosses or rulers or anyone in charge of AA there is a set of guidelines (the traditions) put in place to ensure its survival. Whilst these may not meet the specific desires/opinions of every individual they are in place for the benefit of the fellowship as a whole. No one can enforce these traditions but experience suggests that they work.
Other than that AA doesnt have an opinion on much at all (if anything). If you have another way to recover thats cool. No opinion on religions. No opinion on concepts of alcoholism, No opinion on therapies. No opinion other than to encourage people to make use of any help available. Individual members may have opinions on all of these things and many more but because an AA member believes something, it does not make it the belief of the fellowship as a whole.
I know that sometimes I can be as guilty as anyone of complicating things. I also may not always be as clear as I should be about what is that way I see things/my experience and what is specific to the steps and traditions of AA. We all try our best and thats all we can do. It just helps me to remember that most of what is argued about is to do with people and their views not the program of AA.
Nicky :-)
AA is pretty simple and goes something along the lines of this:
If you have a problem with alcohol and cant stop drinking on your own then AA has a solution that you might be interested in. It has worked for many people. A way to see alcoholism is as a mental, physical and spiritual illness and a solution to it seems to be connection to a power greater than ourselves. In AA many call that power god but if you have a different concept then thats cool. If you are interested in this solution then there is a set of 12 steps (the program) that can be followed to bring it about. If you want to do that then the steps are set out to use. If not then thats cool too, hopefully you find a way which works for you.
Because there are no bosses or rulers or anyone in charge of AA there is a set of guidelines (the traditions) put in place to ensure its survival. Whilst these may not meet the specific desires/opinions of every individual they are in place for the benefit of the fellowship as a whole. No one can enforce these traditions but experience suggests that they work.
Other than that AA doesnt have an opinion on much at all (if anything). If you have another way to recover thats cool. No opinion on religions. No opinion on concepts of alcoholism, No opinion on therapies. No opinion other than to encourage people to make use of any help available. Individual members may have opinions on all of these things and many more but because an AA member believes something, it does not make it the belief of the fellowship as a whole.
I know that sometimes I can be as guilty as anyone of complicating things. I also may not always be as clear as I should be about what is that way I see things/my experience and what is specific to the steps and traditions of AA. We all try our best and thats all we can do. It just helps me to remember that most of what is argued about is to do with people and their views not the program of AA.
Nicky :-)
The Alcoholism Support Group at DailyStrength 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 recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for DS membership; we are supported through advertising revenues. DS 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.
Sounds like a cult, doesn't it?
But these aren't the norm, most AA meetings are full of perfectly normal people, some trying to get sober and some there bc a court is forcing them. There are jerks and really nice people and ex cons and doctors. And at no point are you forced to talk to or spend time with anybody you don't want to be around. Believe me, even in the meetings I like there are people I don't go near.
What I'm getting at is that AA is pretty much what you make of it, and you get out what you put in. If you find a group that's creepy or weird, stop going to that one and find another. Or maybe it isn't right for you at all, maybe you can and will find another way to get sober. But it's really not a scary place, and they really don't demand all that much.
:-p
Sounds like AA to me and I don't follow that AA is a cult. I thought Nicky put it simply and well.
I was away for a while again and have not gone back and read any old posts, so I don't know what started this, but it is getting tiring reading the same old **** from the same people.
We all have our own opinions on what works and we can share them here, that is what the board is for. Why then, do we keep going back and adding fuel to a fire that shouldn't exist?
We can and should just share nicely boys and girls.
I especially like these parts and wish a member of this forum understood that he appears to be doing the exact opposite of what he claims to agree with.
"Because there are no bosses or rulers or anyone in charge of AA there is a set of guidelines (the traditions) put in place to ensure its survival"
"No one can enforce these traditions but experience suggests that they work. "
Maybe the self appointed "enforcer" of these traditions on this forum should consider taking a step back & stop trying to force HIS own will on others and let God's will be done.
Just sayin....
Thanks for the post Nicky.