Grapevine Question??

[tiburon88]

I'm just curious if anyone else reads that AA Grapevine that comes out once a month. I don't subscribe but was given a whole bunch of them. I enjoy reading them because the stories are a good variety. I was a little surprised and glad that one story talked about drugs as well as alcohol.


Tiburon

[NoelleR]

"...I was a little surprised and glad that one story talked about drugs as well as alcohol..."

No need to be surprised....I'm a member of both AA and NA...I could tell my story at an AA meeting (with a tad of my drug use thrown in---it is a 'part' of my story), and I could go down the street to an NA meeting and tell my story there (with a tad of my alcohol use thrown in there, too).

Remember, Tib, its not talking about drugs 'as well' that is against AA's Singleness of purpose, it's making one's drug use the focal point....it is Alcoholics Anonymous, after all........... (o:

Whoops...........got a bit distracted there.........I haven't read the grapevine in a long while, but I used to read it religiously (lol)


NoelleR

[Barto]

Hey Tib,

I also came into AA with a drug problem. In fact I thought I came in because of a drug problem. I didn’t know I was alcoholic until after I got to AA and looked back at my past with clearer vision. Many members have had drug problems. There are some stories in the back of the Big Book in which members talk about their drug abuse too.

[tiburon88]

I know I have a drug/alcohol problem. However there are a few people in the program who believe that only alcohol should be discussed. I believe Dr. Bob was a drug addict as well. He use to shoot up with high powered sedatives.
However, I could be wrong. I know in NA alcohol is considered a drug. I wish there were more NA meetings in my area. I enjoy NA more than AA even though alcohol is my drug of choice.


Tiburon

[jimhere]

Could it be Tib, that alcohol is your "drug of no choice?"

I think we've had the drug/alcohol debate before. Dr. Bob used sedatives to manage alcoholism.
Jim

[Barto]

I believe I used cocaine to compliment my drinking and to drink more.

[bballdad]

Tib,I have read the grapevine for many years.
I now subscribe thru the mail and also online.I love the online archives.A friend of mine,my service sponsor,just has a short story put in there in April this year... "a sober car thief"..we also donate our used ones to jails,prisons,and doctor`s waiting rooms..

write something and send it in..

[Freedom1990]

I always find little tidbits in the Grapevine. My little AA home group has a subscription and we keep them laying around for folks to read. I try and grab an older issue on my way out of a meeting, and then bring it back to swap for another one next meeting

[bballdad]

we give new home group members a free 1 yr subscription when they reach 6 months sober

[Tazman53]

Ah the Grapevine!!! I love to read it when I can get my hands on one!!! Every time I see one or hear of it it reminds me that I still need to work on procrastinating!!! Yes every time I always swear I am going to get a subscription and never do!!! LOL

Tib drugs were part of even some folks story with over 49 years sober who are still kicking today! Tommy C. (Lady) spoke at the Va. 2007 convention and stated that for a while during her drinking career she was hooked on morphine but was easily able to kick that, alcohol was her problem. That was all she said about drugs, I am sure there was a whole lot more, but she was speaking at an AA convention. Dr. Bob as already stated and mentioned in the BB used sedatives to aide his alcoholism, he could have been a raging drug addict if he wanted to, in his day a doctor could legally get all the dope he wanted no questions asked, but he was an alcoholic.

[CarolD]

My home group keeps 12 subscriptions to the Grapevine
delivered to our Grapevine rep. Then brought to our hall.

We use the honor system....
they sell for $1.50 Anyone can take them without buying.

Several times a year ...we ask for old ones to be returned.
Then our jail committee recycles to inmates.

A Grapevine subscription is a popular gift ...

[Barto]

There are some meetings that discourage talking about drugs because some members that are addicted to drugs (and “may not” really be alcoholics) talk about drugs as if they were the same thing. AA officially considers drugs an outside issue so it should not be the primary focus of discussion at an AA meeting in my opinion.

But, like problems with sex, relationships, and work, etc., it is okay with me if someone discusses their experience with drug abuse in an AA meeting provided they are alcoholic and that their drug story coincides with their alcoholism. But each meeting is different.

Also, if you can’t discuss what you want to discuss in the meeting, I suggest you grab someone after the meeting and talk to them. No doubt there will be some members with drug problems in the meeting.

[Sheryl85]

Originally Posted by bballdad

we give new home group members a free 1 yr subscription when they reach 6 months sober

What a wonderful idea! I think it would make a wonderful gift for a sponsee reaching a year as well! Thanks for the idea!!

[tiburon88]

I think I used cocaine to drink more also. However, when I used heroin I tended to drink less probably cause I was too busy nodding. I have one AA club nearby where probably like 80% of the people talk about drugs also. Then I have another club nearby where talking about drugs is highly looked down upon.


Tiburon