Robin sings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZntXuSqRRM

So sad. This had me shaken up. He was so talented.

So ironic, too, since he had that show about mental health issues...

His poor family.

So sad to wake up yo thag news on breakfast tv So talented
Like millions I have enjoyed so much of his work A genuine warmth allways came over in his interviews. So honest about his Addiction both in long term recovery and when he relapsed RIP Robin

I agree with you Zachary no matter what happened to cause his death doesn't diminish my sadness that he's gone

This is very very sad. He was an inspiration and just seemed to be a great person. I got the pleasure of seeing him perform live a few years ago in a stand up routine, along with many other iconic stars. He was of course the main act. All in the name of charity of course. This also comes on the tails for me of hearing of the loss of a good old friend from suicide. They too suffered from bipolar. An awful disease of the mind and heart. You will be missed by many Robin! I hope you found some peace and my heart goes out to you and your family. You left us all with so many smiles/laughter and for that I will always be grateful and you will be remembered fondly...... Hugs, Thirsty4Life

his wife's statement to remember the good times and not to focus on his manner of death....sad day we lost Robin Williams.....seems so sad....I haven't seen several of movies he was in...Good Will Hunting which is where he won the oscar...I need to see that one...I don't think I have actually seen the full Mrs. Doubtfire either.....I am sure there are other movies he was in that I did not get to see YET....

But Money he had no want for Money...but piece of mind well I believe Suicide proved he had no piece of mind....

Depression and a quick mind racing from thought to thought extemporaneously making us laugh uncontrollably with uncommon insight may have in the end become too much for Robin to bear. A gift that came with painful strings attached....Good Bye my friend...

He was in my hometown several years ago. I sat at a table next to him while he was dining in a restaurant. Very subdued, quiet conversation. It wasn't at all the personality he expressed while performing. It was also nice that no one bothered the party at the table or interrupted their conversation.....even for a photo op or an autograph, by I digress.

I remember thinking that it could be hard for anyone to live their lives that way- kind of like being 2 people.

Ditto Zach and I was beginning to feel resentment toward someone else who keeps knocking a program that has saved millions of lives and counting!

Not mentioning any names

Robin Williams made the same mistake that I made. I was fortunate enough to find a teacher who helped me. AA is usually not the place to go after one relapses from long term sobriety. He had 20 years of sobriety. I, like him, went back to AA. I found that AA not only did not help me, it exaggerated the problem.
What drove us to go back to drinking were problems other than alcoholism that needed to be solved. In my case it was grief. In his case it was depression. Medical professionals and spiritual guidance is what helped me. I did not get any help at AA. Often I bought a bottle after going to a meeting. I remember at one meeting an old timer started to talk about his impending death from incurable cancer. They quickly shut him down. The problem that he faced was of no concern. The twelve steps is not a cure all for everything in life. It is designed to help someone, who needs a spiritual path. I just needed to follow the path that called me.

After total failure with AA, I went to a non AA group led by a psychologist. I got a lot from him, but very little from the group itself. I also was going to dharma lessons taught by a monk, who had a Doctor of Psychology. He taught me how to walk through the grief. I followed the teachings, which essential boiled down to How to be happy. The Buddha taught how to live on this earth. That was what I needed to know. I had stop drinking for approximately 3 years and it looks like there will be many more as I face the difficulties of old age, like the two cancers that I had since sobering up. I once again enjoy life as I did in the 24 year sober period. Correctly speaking, I am sober 27 year.

Hi bobinthemaine,

I hope that sword cuts both ways for the people who reflexively bash Moderation Management, because of Audrey Kishline's tragic situation. After all the concept of Moderation Management is in the big book (see bottom of p. 20)

all good beef NO Spam ....NicE!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUasW1-x9eg

Hi, Impermanence

I can relate to your story. It'll be 7 years around Christmas time this year that I have been totally abstinent. I had a beer, actually a bit less than a 12 oz beer, back in 2007. I haven't been drunk since way before that...

I know we're a bit off topic, but this discussion has been very illuminating for me...

Zach, I haven't even read the big book. The book that helped me was called "The 12 steps for everyone who really wants them" which is the AA 12 steps written for EHA (Emotional Health Anonymous) This book helped me far more then the Big book did.

The path I took was 4 days of a safe medical detox in the hospital where I was closely monitered by an addiction doctor and nurses followed by a 3 week IOP (Intensive Outpatient program). This is where I was treated for the things that predisposed me to addiction, one of them being ptsd over the death of my dad who slipped on my back steps and broke his neck. I had 2 counselors and a psychologist who helped me out with that.

After I graduated from that, I attended 3 months of relapse prevention group counseling which also helped me. Throughout all of it, attendance at AA meetings were a requirement, and AA helps to keep me sober today, 6 years later.

In my humble opinin, it's not up to us to pick someones program for them, we can only discuss what worked for us.

My soul purpose in being here is to tell others what worked for me. I will never bash anyone elses mode of sobriety. To me, that is doing a disservice by chasing a newby away from something that could potentially help them, no matter what that program is....AA, smart, Moderation management, buddha, addiction psychologists, etc.

We can only hope they pick a program that works for them!

~~~Peace~~~

HI, bobinmaine:

I second that emotion...