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Wisconsin_Al · 02-17-2007, 06:20 AM

Just wondering if others have had similar experience and how did you handle them?

“You are not allowed ….. “. Has anyone else heard these words used in AA? I have and it’s a hotspot for me and I can have a real knee-jerk reaction to this.

I have been told the following many times. I am not sure if this is unique to AA where I am or in general. But I have been told; You are not allowed to refuse Service work. You are not allowed to miss a home group meeting. You are not allowed to work the steps if you are taking meds. You are not allowed to mention drug use in an AA meeting. You are not allowed to read non conference approved literature in an AA meeting. You are not allowed to go off topic in a meeting ….. and other. And these are stated with an authoritative flair. In fact twice when I turned down a request to chair a meeting (I was uncomfortable at the time because of shyness) I was publicly chastised with the “You are not allowed to refuse Service work” speech which caused resentments the size of Texas.

Whatever happened to suggestions?

I stick to topics when in meetings; I prefer that it’s a better meeting for me when I do. But do not slap people down who go off topic, maybe they have a need?

I do service work but some service work I am not comfortable with. Why embarrass me in public?

I do not want a meeting dominated by other addictions better suited to other 12-step programs. But if someone needs to share a story that has a reference to drug or gambling or sex addictions and it’s relevant to the topic, please do not roll your eyes and sigh loudly as they share.

And don’t even get me started on the sponsors who brow beat people into going off meds without doctor’s advice.

Is this just my experience? Maybe I am overly sensitive or defiant? Maybe it’s me? hmmm acceptance needed maybe … nah not me (grin). But I have been running into many who want to “control” the meeting and those in them. And the alcoholic in me rebels and does not go quietly into the night.

02-17-2007, 06:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wisconsin_Al Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: appleton,wisconsin Posts: 77	You are not allowed ….. Just wondering if others have had similar experience and how did you handle them? “You are not allowed ….. “. Has anyone else heard these words used in AA? I have and it’s a hotspot for me and I can have a real knee-jerk reaction to this. I have been told the following many times. I am not sure if this is unique to AA where I am or in general. But I have been told; You are not allowed to refuse Service work. You are not allowed to miss a home group meeting. You are not allowed to work the steps if you are taking meds. You are not allowed to mention drug use in an AA meeting. You are not allowed to read non conference approved literature in an AA meeting. You are not allowed to go off topic in a meeting ….. and other. And these are stated with an authoritative flair. In fact twice when I turned down a request to chair a meeting (I was uncomfortable at the time because of shyness) I was publicly chastised with the “You are not allowed to refuse Service work” speech which caused resentments the size of Texas. Whatever happened to suggestions? I stick to topics when in meetings; I prefer that it’s a better meeting for me when I do. But do not slap people down who go off topic, maybe they have a need? I do service work but some service work I am not comfortable with. Why embarrass me in public? I do not want a meeting dominated by other addictions better suited to other 12-step programs. But if someone needs to share a story that has a reference to drug or gambling or sex addictions and it’s relevant to the topic, please do not roll your eyes and sigh loudly as they share. And don’t even get me started on the sponsors who brow beat people into going off meds without doctor’s advice. Is this just my experience? Maybe I am overly sensitive or defiant? Maybe it’s me? hmmm acceptance needed maybe … nah not me (grin). But I have been running into many who want to “control” the meeting and those in them. And the alcoholic in me rebels and does not go quietly into the night.