Originally Posted by
miamifella 
Caused...probably not.
But triggered...I can see it.
The harshness of meetings and sponsors really messed with my head, leaving me feeling the same hopelessness and loneliness autumn4 described.
Some people need criticism, some people need encouragement.
I think the first group does great in AA. The second group does not.
That is nothing against AA or the people it works for. It is just that people have different histories and have different needs.
Exactly! We said
People need to know they have options and there ARE OTHER successful "recovery methods" out there. It could save someone's life. It saved mine. For so long I thought I was destined to die a drunk. I just didn't "fit in" with AA and the 12 step approach. I thought something was wrong with ME. Finally I realized it was quite the opposite.
AA has saved thousands of lives and that's amazing. Seriously amazing and I would encourage all newbies to at least check it out. Give it a chance...learn about it, but I think it's important for people to know there are other options out there (-: