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.
I was just reading a thread someone posted that's struggling and asking for help and advice with her alcoholism that's new here.
She received a lot of good feedback until someone had the nerve to private message her that this is a support group for people who are in AA and she should consider another group, this is totally false.
To think someone that's in recovery and suppose to be reaching out and help the suffering alcoholic say something like that is unreal. I have a good idea who its is always telling people that there way and AA is the only way, and if its not in the Big Book its a outside issue. This is the type of shit that kills people when reaching out seeking help. You should be ashamed of yourself. I found my way though AA and have to tell ya its things like this that gives AA a bad name.
I see it all the time on here people asking for advise and the same people tell them to go to AA even when its mention they want to seek something besides AA.
Rants over but please remember this tell people what your experience is instead of telling them what they need to do because that's the way you did it..
She received a lot of good feedback until someone had the nerve to private message her that this is a support group for people who are in AA and she should consider another group, this is totally false.
To think someone that's in recovery and suppose to be reaching out and help the suffering alcoholic say something like that is unreal. I have a good idea who its is always telling people that there way and AA is the only way, and if its not in the Big Book its a outside issue. This is the type of shit that kills people when reaching out seeking help. You should be ashamed of yourself. I found my way though AA and have to tell ya its things like this that gives AA a bad name.
I see it all the time on here people asking for advise and the same people tell them to go to AA even when its mention they want to seek something besides AA.
Rants over but please remember this tell people what your experience is instead of telling them what they need to do because that's the way you did it..
I am AA. I don't hammer at it, but I do mention it and the fact it saved my life. What I have learned here at DS is that AA is certainly not the only path, and that's pretty groovy for me. I have in the past lashed out at anti-AA rhetoric, but I had to look at my part as to why I was so sensitive and now I don't get anywhere near as upset when someone has a different viewpoint on AA. To each their own. One of the reasons I enjoy DS is that I get to hear from others who have gotten healthy sobriety without AA. I can nerd out any time on other 12-step recovery boards, but I get a different vibe and energy here, which is fabulous. And I learn.
As to whomever wrote that note, well, I don't know where the intention came from, but it clearly didn't help the recipient. As gjm said, intentionally or unintentionally pushing away someone in need is something that can literally kill. I have to remember to watch my own words and intentions at times, and practice the same principles to others that have been shown to me.
It would be arrogant and ignorant of me to believe that AA is the only way to sobriety.
There is lots of warm, groovy love here to accommodate everyone - struggling or not, in need or not, in AA or not. My mandate is to help, not harm. And I need reminding of that myself too.
Blessings,
Paul
I am curious about your "mud slinging" comment. At least 90% of the comments here are pro AA, Do you think AA is being unfairly treated on this board?
However, I suppose the silver lining in this unfortunate incident is that we finally found something we can all agree upon. Mean people suck.
None of this is really about AA. It's about exclusion, and the fact that bullying isn't cool. It's even worse when it happens to someone reaching out for help to members of a SUPPORT group. Sorry about the caps, but I don't know how to bold the word support.
Reply #18 raised a interesting question I think is worth discussing. In the interest of not diverting focus from the intended point of this thread, perhaps I'll add my 2 cents in a new thread later this evening.
However, I do have to agree with serenity94 this group is outbalanced with people who have benefited from AA.
I too have benefited from AA but do not feel that this is a path for everyone. There are different schools out there and this is a good place to share about them.
I think the most important thing is to keep an open mind and heart and be compassionate with one another and support each other on the road to recovery because alcoholism kills.
Thank you for letting me share.
I don't ever want to forget that alcoholism kills and that it involves the mind, body and soul.
The best thing I can do is to share and do my meditations and in my case, pray.
Thank you for letting me share( again.)
Whoever received this message - please know that 99% of us would NEVER say that to you.
We have seen here, that there are many paths to sobriety. Some of us have chosen AA - which did work for me - but it certainly is not the only path to sobriety.
So please don't leave our group because of one person's rudeness. We are here to support anyone and everyone who is trying to get sober.
I totally agree with Travelers - we are here to share our experience, strength and hope - however we gained these strengths - doesn't really matter.