Personally I've learned alot from whatever side of the fence I happened to be at On this long and windy road...Rule #62 comes to mind .....

http://www.automaticbeyondbelief.org/fixing.htm

It works, if you work it. If you don't, most likely it won't.
We throw nobody out. We judge nobody. An open meeting is just that. If a person gets some form of recovery out of an AA meeting, good on him.

Eh Joel, you trying to make us recovered folk look bad?!

Let's take a look at what you posted:

"No coldly turning a hurting addict away CANNOT be the right thing to do!" ... how do you know the emotion behind the typing?

"It's sure as hell not what my home group does"...neither does mine, my home group is an open meeting and we welcome all, even Al-Anons so you can't lump us all together, tempting though that may be.

"What kind of sobriety leads to such callousness?".... Dunno mate, again it's down to perception. There may be many who assume they are sober but don't look too closely at the quality of that sobriety.

" Is that how "recovered" vs. recovering people act?".... Nope, not in my experience. This is just your assumption.

" Is that what "real alcoholics do"?... No, not from the real alcoholics I know - there are so many. Your angst against the Big Book terminology needs a bit of inventory, I would suggest.

"It's not what I do, so I'll just stay recovering!" ....Good for you, once you have had a spiritual awakening you can really be effective in working with others. Step 12 is vital to maintain a healthy sobriety.

No alkie or addict got where they were by being delicate - selfishness and self-centredness is the root of our problem and we spend a lifetime trying to work on that!

It was monumental in my recovery when I found out that I was the problem, what style of chemical makes no difference.
When touching on this in AA, it is common sense. That's why the chairperson at meeting's should have some sobriety and know how the meeting should roll.
For me to turn my back on anybody that needs help is just not acceptable. The believers out there should be ashamed of this attitude.
The way I read it your savior was a courageous man, I don' think he turned his back on addicts and just helped the drunks.

I find it amazing that none of you even asked the poster if they had a desire to stop drinking. That is "The only requirement for AA membership" if you remember.
And we're not talking broken legs vs. arthrititis here, more like general athritits vs. rheumatoid

The other point is you here them out , and help as you can then direct then advise cthem about na for future reference, AFTER you find out about their desire to stop drinking.
And CD, why is a hurting addict whinning? Are you superior to other addicts? Is that what this is all about?

because her thread did not mention alcohol one time. I read it several times and it never once said anything at all about alcohol. If it had, there may have been a different response. It spoke of pot only.

Did you go to the cocaine board and ask their advice on alcoholism without mentioning cocaine or any other drug? Where my million dollas at tread? Pay up sucker! lol! :) Love ya Joel-I'm just teasing you...cause it's fun...ya know kinda like debate is fun for you. :)

Now, lets go have a smoke together. :)

I don't smoke but I would like to join you cos I love Joel too so I will be having a healthy fresh air break.....

thanks, I love you guys too. But lets make it a non-smoke break. Debate is good.
Joel

I have yet to meet anyone addicted to substance abuse

Don't read my previous reply!

I started typing and didn't finish accidently hit add...

Welp, I have been on my phone at work... Checking this shit out. Anyhoo, I don't see an addict with drugs (STREET OR OTHERWISE) differently than I do an alcoholic. A drug, is a drug, is a drug..... I have yet to meet a "drug" addict who never leaned on alcohol as a last resort for their addiction BECAUSE IT'S Legal! The addiction is the SAME. Get a F..... clue! Let someone find a life to be released with a chemical substance.. No, not eating disorder... not diebestis... not foot fetish... SUBSTANCE w/ chemicals which make us feel good. Court ordered or not... The seed can be planted. May take many years (or not) for a young one. Or even an old one......So what? They know people can live and survive without it by being around us. HERE with support. It is a reason no one understands.... Alcohol is legal. IT'S A DRUG!!! Crack, Heroin, snorting/shooting coke , etc. isn't? Maybe a druggie is in an alcoholic meeting.... So what! The message is for anyone WHO NEEDS HELP! Sorry..........

it's "Primary Purpose" not single purpose. There is a difference.

Also, I'm AA...... I would NEVER kick out or judge someone on ANY substance. Cake OR crack....Trust me, you aren't gonna see ANYONE who isn't a druggie in AA. Some alcohol, some w/ other substances. I would NEVER push anyone away for their addiction.

You aren't gonna see cancer patients..... Eaters Anonymous.... Hoarders............etc...

UNLESS they are drug addicts!

Alcohol IS a DRUG!

Singleness of purpose is so not about pushing people away because of their addictions. It is so often misrepresented and misunderstood. I didnt get it until I really went through the traditions and also some AA history of the rationale behind it.