[digderidoo]

I went to a meeting last night and came out of it not feeling to good about some of the people there.

Now within my region there are two cliques of people. Some who attend one area and another who attend the area i went to last night. I tend to go to the other meetings, mainly those from last nights group tend to dwell on the negatives of drinking, tend to talk about problems they're having, but it tends to be the same old story with them. Whereas the meetings i usually attend, tend to dwell on the positives of a sober lifestyle, rather than the negatives of a drinking one. Hope i am making sense so far.

To last nights meeting. A newcomer (about 3 months sober), shared about his sponsor. To my surprise many long term sobriety people in this group do not have a sponsor and never have! I was shocked, that many speak so highly of the program, yet work the steps on their own. It really made me wonder whether this is why i do not feel comfortable in this group, they always tend to be a negative sort. I wonder whether if they worked the program as the Big Book says, as to whether they would be a bit more positive. I know a number of people who steer clear from this meeting, because of the negativity. It was the first time i had come out of a meeting feeling worse than when i had entered. I really feel that i will not attend this meeting again.

Anyway the upshot of the meeting was that many with long term sobriety was telling this newcomer that he didn't need a sponsor, especially as he was having a few issues with him. I shared my feelings on the matter, but felt overwhelmed by the general feeling in the group.

It made me wonder whether there are many who do not use a sponsor, or is this something that seems to be limited towards this particular group?

Thanks

Paul