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Old 04-17-2009, 09:05 AM
  # 46 (permalink)  
Zencat
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
 
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,954
AA can cause me big problems. There some people in my CBT treatment group at the clinic that share about AA. Sometimes I have to bite my thong when they do. Because I still get intrusive traumatic memories of my past compulsory religious involvement as a child when I hear the AA line. Try as I might I still can't separate AA from religion in my mind. Over time this anger I have has gotten a bit relaxed as long as I limit my exposure to AA. On a rational level I can ease my emotional response somewhat but haven't found any effective way to lessen the intrusive memories that suddenly fire up my emotional state.

Although one thing I found to be of some help is to state my beliefs openly in group soon after my anger response is triggered by those that share their AA experience. I try very hard to be respectful but boldly point out my alternative treatment program in contrast to AA's program. I think it helps me to reinforce my program as I hear it said by me in group. Plus I think it stimulates other group members to share their treatment program. Which many of them work a uniquely personalized program of recovery...ah thank goodness for that .
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