me thinks that some wear it as a badge...................some focus too much on the negatives of life. i think the secret is to put emphasis to the positive. remind self of the good times of life.

many here do it...............that is why i continue to badger :)


peace nods and whispers to all

....Jimmie Durante
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eqGTJoRiLI

wow.I understand meetings do not work for all. I also understand how labels can cause harm. we live in a society that labels everything. man, woman, black, white, asshole, genius, child, adult, ect, ect. When speaking of alcholism it is very knowledgable to know who i am. I am a recovering alcholic. this may bother some, but not me. I found the rooms of AA to be very rewarding. I found myself there. I began to understand i was not like others who could be sociable with drinking. I had to drink to pass out. I was a professional, and continue to be, except today I am a professional recovering from alcholism.

you indicated you have a problem, and appear to be ok with that. Why badger others because they can identify the problem? society is full of individuals like youself who can not adjust to life without the use of any mind altering substances. Justification, and rationalization will keep individuals in a state of confusion, and combined with anger, and resentment you find self hatred. Majority of the individuals that stop drinking will do it through a religious institutation. Not a bad venue. But the people that go to AA learn how to change their thinking through the 12 steps. We not only change our behaviors, we change our mindset. What I have come to find that is individuals that bash the program and the individuals in it do not want to change, so they become resentful with the individuals that want to, and vise versa. I know I have little tolerence for the whinner! but I am getting better. due to working the steps of a program designed to save my life.

Rick stated perfectly what I was thinking... I am sober and not AA compatable. I don't need a lable, or meetings, or book to know that I can stop drinking and stay sober if it is my will. I feel a total freedom really because I have accepted that I don't drink. Period. I am intelligent and entirely in control of my own actions. The fact that non-AAers are not posting is not because they don't exist, it's because anything said that challenges AA is met with fanatical defense of the program on this board. Very glad the program works for so many, but it's not for everyone and it's not the only way.

That's wonderful Sara. Stick around and share what's working for you. I think where you mention 'challenge AA' may be a problem. Why challenge any program that is working for others. No need.

I'd like to see members here recommend and encourage another to try what has worked for them as opposed to telling. Dictating terms is not an attractive quality to any program.Ican also understand frustration when those here keep going outdrinking again and again, working no program. Those are the ones
that need to follow a few recommendations yeah. Otherwise
they will die.

Please stick around and share what has worked for you and offer hope and encouragement to others, regardless of what program you or they work.If you have something else to offer, please share that. I know many that have been successful in sobriety with their churches, own beliefs, and through Smart.

I'd also like to remind members this is not an AA group, but an Alcoholism Support Group. Share what has worked for you, but accept that we are diverse and work varying programs. Hope this reads okay, on iPhone. Okay Billy, insert tune here :)