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.
Hi. I wonder if I can be of some help on this site. I have a lot of experience with addiction/alcoholism and recovery. My latest clean date is Oct. 28th, 2002. I was also clean from 6-88 to 12-94, and from 4-98 to 9-02. It has been a hell of a long haul and I am lucky to be alive as well as not having injured anyone else too badly. Alcoholism sucks and it is hard to beat. I read rational recovery and it reminded me of the "just say no" approach to keep kids from using drugs. It's not enough for me. I am a hard core addict who went so far as to stick needles in my arms. I am a black out drunk and my last drinking spree was so scary it only lasted 48 days. Alcohol got a hold of me and I was it's slave until I dragged myself back to AA and threw myself into their program even though it's a brainwashing technique I abhor.
You see, for whatever reason I drank, I drank and it put me to sleep. AA gives people an awakening. I needed that. The support cannot be matched. It is all over the world. But I am an atheist and not much into deluding my thinking more than I already do. AA is clearly not my cup of tea. Unfortunately man can fly to the moon, but the 12 steps are the best option if someone as bad as me wants to recover and stay alive. There are many like me and most go back to drinking or insanity or both.
The good thing about AA is after my brain was washed I got to hang dry it. In the meantime it kept me sober. AA doesn't prove there's a God but it does suggest a little bit about how the brain operates. I will keep going to meetings to help the next alcoholic, especially the next atheist alcoholic. They are experts on staying sober. In any situation there is a room full of people who have gone through every kind of shit you can imagine and stay sober.
I guess it's a question only myself can answer as to whether I believe in the medical model of addiction and I do for me. Once I drink I am off and running and I cannot quit till alcohol is done with me. Something goes on physically for me, I believe. If all we had to do was say no, then so many people would not die, kill others, or go insane from this "disease". I tend to think rational recovery takes a back seat to the direness of the situation.
Anyhow, I'm doing great. I have no urge to be an alcoholic again at this time. A person needs to have a chance. If you can awaken from the slumbering alcoholic state for long enough, you have a good chance to go on and get inspired to live awake again. So don't be afraid to go to AA where there are rooms full of every type of alcoholic you can think of, and give yourself a chance. I know I need the help. I probably always will. As an atheist, I have found a valuable roll in AA too.
Anything I can do for you, helps me too, and I truly admire people who have trouble with AA. "God" knows I do! lol.
You see, for whatever reason I drank, I drank and it put me to sleep. AA gives people an awakening. I needed that. The support cannot be matched. It is all over the world. But I am an atheist and not much into deluding my thinking more than I already do. AA is clearly not my cup of tea. Unfortunately man can fly to the moon, but the 12 steps are the best option if someone as bad as me wants to recover and stay alive. There are many like me and most go back to drinking or insanity or both.
The good thing about AA is after my brain was washed I got to hang dry it. In the meantime it kept me sober. AA doesn't prove there's a God but it does suggest a little bit about how the brain operates. I will keep going to meetings to help the next alcoholic, especially the next atheist alcoholic. They are experts on staying sober. In any situation there is a room full of people who have gone through every kind of shit you can imagine and stay sober.
I guess it's a question only myself can answer as to whether I believe in the medical model of addiction and I do for me. Once I drink I am off and running and I cannot quit till alcohol is done with me. Something goes on physically for me, I believe. If all we had to do was say no, then so many people would not die, kill others, or go insane from this "disease". I tend to think rational recovery takes a back seat to the direness of the situation.
Anyhow, I'm doing great. I have no urge to be an alcoholic again at this time. A person needs to have a chance. If you can awaken from the slumbering alcoholic state for long enough, you have a good chance to go on and get inspired to live awake again. So don't be afraid to go to AA where there are rooms full of every type of alcoholic you can think of, and give yourself a chance. I know I need the help. I probably always will. As an atheist, I have found a valuable roll in AA too.
Anything I can do for you, helps me too, and I truly admire people who have trouble with AA. "God" knows I do! lol.
Nice to meet you Lorna.
I love what CoogeeMum said too "My thoughts on God have been similar to yours and my thoughts on AA have had me wondering sometimes by what I've read on the internet by a few who seem as obsessed with AA as they were with their drinking."
It's all gravy.. and it does not have to make any sense - part of the humility that AA has taught me is that it's all okay - your opinion, my opinion, his opinion. Take what you want and leave the rest.
Having said that, it's odd to see the love / hate of AA in the original and subsequent posts regarding atheistic recovery. I know many atheists who have recovered successfully in AA, hell I know two pagans and a witch who are coming up to a year now. They don't do the Lord's Prayer, but they don't storm out either. They say their own thing. They don't call it brain washing nor do they feel that AA if "offensive". And if they felt like that, it's their prerogative to work through it the way they need to to remain sober.
AA isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea - I get that. People will walk a different path, and if they get to where they need to go, that is downright groovy in my books. Trashing AA as part of that path - if that helps you, then go ahead. Just don't expect me to applaud. One person's experience with it is different from the other's. It works for some, it doesn't for others. I just fear for the newcomer who hears how AA doesn't work, and they don't try it for that matter. And die. Myself, I can bear witness to it, fully. But I won't denigrate other programs in the process.
A simple message from AA, that is too often ignored, is that we should fit ourselves to what is rather than how we would have it. The Serenity Prayer is a goodie too for reflecting on when demanding change.
It blows my mind to think of what would happen if AA stretched itself this way and that to try and please everyone and every way but I don't dwell on it for obvious reasons. Ain't gonna happen.
What I do love is that AA keeps no records through its own voluntary anonymity and yet some folks will STILL try and put forward ideas on success rates compared to x, y and z.
Keep on smiling say I.
These problems almost cost me my life. They continue to make me feel out cast and defensive. Other programs are not around. My disease is too powerful to go it alone and yet I am tending to think that is what will happen. Ever wonder where most the experience goes? Most do not come back forever. Lucky for me, I see a purpose to continue to come back to defend the atheist.
Since AA believes God is in control, everything will be okay and if someone dies it was His wish. Lets you off the hook of your own responsibility slogan.
It's okay. Like so many other uncaring Americans "I got mine." I'm okay and I am not responsible to help bring about change, God is. All I can say is that it's a good thing Bill Wilson didn't rely on God to create the program and do all the footwork, write the books, etc.
Good day. I mean that. Lol.
Too bad since AA is worldwide that it doesn't really work well enough to use the saying, "If it's not broke, don't fix it." It is broke and in need of a tune up.
As for the comment that we don't keep records, who needs to? Try watching the new comers and see the rate of success. It is not high. In fact our group has not grown in the 5 years I've been here. For every 2 people who come in and stay a while, 3 more go back out. Is it the disease or the demand of the way it works?
I really appreciate being able to express my feelings and your comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZTpLvsYYHw
I'm surprised a thread like this would get shut down. Really?
It is hard for me to not feel defensive. I am sorry I have offended some. If I didn't think AA was the best thing going for me I wouldn't care at all. I love AA. That doesn't mean it is not far from perfection.
It saddens me. It is already in place, people available to help other alcoholics for free, everywhere. But AA is more concerned with clinging to their religious philosophy than becoming more available for the population.
Put yourself in my shoes for a moment. It's a lonely world I did not choose to live in. I can't pretend to believe. It is something that I cannot and should not do. I need to be true to myself, honest with myself, to stay sober.
My purpose on this thread is fulfilled. Some people are thinking. It's a beginning. Perhaps a branch of Atheist AA will develop. Until then, I hope others like me can stay alive with the little help there is elsewhere, or also manage to go through the crap I have to go through, to make it work for me.
Thanks again for joining this very hard to have, conversation.
I am happy it is here. Peace.