Well the book hasnt changed......that leaves one conclusion..imo.
There is only one reason to attend AA as far as i believe.
To do the work.......find someone to help me do the work.......or discuss and share my experience doing that work....and subsequent recovery from alcoholism.....then find someone to work with.
In my experience the gap between those meetings and the big book..the 12 steps.........is as wide as the water between me and you guys.
The meetings have become group therapy...they have become something way different from what was intended.....the 12 steps has become a side line.
and the people that do the work become known as "thumpers"..lol
Heres a typical example of the meetings available to me........addicts sponsoring real alcoholics.........problem drinkers telling newcomers they didnt need the steps......guys that havent done the steps sponsoring others.
That is my own experience here in the uk.........im not saying its the case worldwide..but it wouldnt surprise me.
The opening sales pitch from sponsor sponsor was this.." son, i have found a solution for what you describe...but you wont find it here"..
he didnt say it resentfully....he was being honest and wanted to save my life.
Of the guys ive worked with......(through the book and rapidly).
rarely do i see one return to drinking........its happens.....but not often.
I attend AA to find suffering alcoholics.....i need to.
its my responsibility....