I didn't come here to fight and vent negativity on the Internet .I tire of that very quickly. I'm not going to engage in that.

I came here to find support with my various issues. And in doing so help others by sharing my experiences.

I did not mean to hurt or insult anyone by sharing a piece of writing that I had had published. I was just interested in discussing the issue that AA might not be right for everyone was i though this was an Alcoholism support group which seems to be the place for such discussions.

I see I have touched a nerve here. This is a very pro-AA group.

Thank you, those of you who were understanding and kind. I understand on the Internet we are all speaking behind screens and have the option to be kind or cruel and I appreciate those of you who could understand that everyone's sobriety is a different journey. I have respect for all of your journeys, AA or no.

I did attend AA for one year and it did help me quite a bit. I attribute it to part of the journey. Just not all of the journey. I honor and thank those who helped me along the way in AA like my sponsor, who certainly tried her best.

Hey, you're sober near 2 years and cheery. You're doing something right. I know an entire flock of people, myself included who did a lot of boozing between the ages of usually about 19-25, going hard 3 times a week, drinking to get hammered and then having it peter out in it's own and just move into normal social drinking like I did, having 2 or 3 drinks a few times a year at birthdays, Christmas, New year's, bbq's etc. So we don't all fit easily into rigid defined groups and paradigms. So from my point of view do think it's good that the notion is put out there that more than one road may lead to Rome. This isn't a criticism of AA, it seems to me, someone on the outside looking in, to be a very good program for the most incorrigible drinkers who have found no success elsewhere and were I in that position I'd certainly consider an strong option.

I don't understand how smoking weed renders one sober.

It doesn't.

It's harm reduction, a proven effective method of addiction control. I am sober from my substances of abuse which are alcohol and several harder things I don't like to mention on the Internet.

Marijuana is harmless and beneficial. It treats a lot of the other psych issues I struggle with. For me I use it medicinally, because it is a medicine and a very helpful one at that.

So now we're getting into passing judgement on what constitutes sobriety for other people??
There is nothing helpful, nor pleasant, about that.

Your whole article is a negative, internet vent. In no way does it honor or thank anyone who helped you in AA. And please don't say you didn't meant to insult anyone. You're smarter than that, and so are we.

This group is ALL-inclusive. We are pro-recovery, pro-sobriety, and we do our best to be respectful of each other, no matter what path we choose to follow. AA is most definitely not for everyone, and plenty of people have found sobriety without it, but for some it's been a life-saving gift. If you didn't want to hear from anyone in the program, you could have just said so. There is no need to degrade those who found it useful in order to find help with your various issues.

Like EXJ, AA is not a good fit for me. I quit without it, but certainly not without my own tailor-made programme that included changing the way I thought and keeping an open mind.

I, too, cannot imagine my life with regular AA meetings. For myself, I found them a hindrance and a downer, and this was after giving them several chances and attending different meetings over an extended period of time.

For others, AA is a life-saver and who can "poo poo" that?

Thank you for sharing,

Sosa

i find AA is for some but there is so much more out there in the new age more research,, for women I find that even the book was so antiquated If this is closed I would guess there is a reason AA is great it saved many before we even knew more scientifically but for women I find it scary with so much inappropriate and dangerous stalking of newcomers read the media I did not make it up,, esp younger women and it disempowers rather than empowers women I am sober in celebrate recovery,, and after all AA is very much biblical,, and I go to womens support groups many women do not get to the incest issues etc the domestic violence any violence against women has its core in self medication pills drink unhealthy relationships we accept abuse rather than question it I am a lot stronger and healthier I chocse to use more current methods of treatment that treats the whole person , smart recovery women for sobriety the list is endless and no matter what any one says other methods work something I notice in AA you dare not question or you will be shunned something wrong with that picture ,, especially for vulnerable women,,,,

forrest freak let folks have a voice and don't be so threatened , there is more than one way to skin a cat respect others choices it is a free country and this is about sobriety not my way the hi way

Freedom15GOD...........LOL!!!! Ummmmmm.......huh? I was the one defending others freedom of choice and opinion so I have no clue what you are talking about. Maybe you should go back and read the whole thread because I think you are missing something.
Thanks:)

ok are you making an innuendo on my name uhhhh LOL no need to spell it out , I apologize anytime I am wrong and promptly admit it ,,,,

I am respectfully (no sarcasm or anything when I say that!! lol) withdrawing from this conversation as I respect this group and it's members too much to argue.
I honestly appreciate everyone's choices to do what they must to stay sober and want to keep good relations here:)
I think DS is a wonderful support system. The people that I have met here are fantastic. And that's all I know for a certainty :D

Peace
Jen

Wow, nothing like a challenge to AA to get this discussion board lit up! Seems like we can all agree that everyone needs to find the route to sobriety that works for them. For me it was a lot of reading and research on the subject of alcohol addiction. I finally was convinced that alcohol is simply harmful to ingest, in any amount, for a number of proven reasons. That was enough for me. Now I am on a new quest to reach a higher level of awareness and personal satisfaction through a more natural and healthy lifestyle. I know I can never go forward with the anchor of alcohol addiction attached.

I've attended several different AA meetings and found them all over the map in range of tolerance, from a more fundamentalist point of view to one that was more openminded. I prefer the latter setting and enjoy the fellowship of the group I've found in a more liberal-minded college community. This fellowship supplements my willpower in a very positive way.

My personal belief does not jive with the Christian-based tenets of AA, i.e. higher power, since as a Buddhist I do not feel that the existence of a "higher power" is relevant to living a meaningful life. However, my particular AA group is pretty open-minded, respects my belief and I feel accepted by the majority of the people who attend.

Peace!