Identifying in rooms
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 215
Identifying in rooms
I know this has been discussed. I have searched for the thread and can not find it.
Our meeting has recently added in the chairperson format that is read out loud slipped in after silence your cells phones... "please only identify as an alcoholic, do not identify on other issues such as addiction"...
I have not ever heard that as an actual annoucement. I am trying to find out the exact tradition.
This is a beginners meeting. The same meeting I am working on the group conscience and new agenda items. Yes, its a lovely ride seeing how many changes have been made without my participation. Karma for me. I know.
Any wisdom greatly appreciated. I have been reading all the traditions all morning.
Our meeting has recently added in the chairperson format that is read out loud slipped in after silence your cells phones... "please only identify as an alcoholic, do not identify on other issues such as addiction"...
I have not ever heard that as an actual annoucement. I am trying to find out the exact tradition.
This is a beginners meeting. The same meeting I am working on the group conscience and new agenda items. Yes, its a lovely ride seeing how many changes have been made without my participation. Karma for me. I know.
Any wisdom greatly appreciated. I have been reading all the traditions all morning.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,947
Originally Posted by FanofJoeMcQ 
"please only identify as an alcoholic, do not identify on other issues such as addiction"...
When I shared my story, I had to mention, briefly, and only in context, other things... "dry goods" as they say around here... because if I left those things completely out of my story, my story would lose it's full meaning...
IDK... I think the standard... "please limit your discussions to problems only as they relate to alcohol" works for me.
I went to my brothers 24 year anniversary last Tues one state over from me... they used a somewhat expanded discussion of what it means to limit your shares to problems as they relate to alcohol.... hmmm, something about we know drugs may be part of your adventures, but when discussing them please limit your share to.... yada yada... IDK
Mark
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Southern Colorado
Posts: 1,167
Tradition 4... autonomy. The group conscience is just that... what the group has decided what it will and not do. If you want what a group has and does, you should belong to it. If you want what a group has and does, you should do what the group does.
If the group does what you do not like, try to change it or find another group.
In my group, we go beyond the "blue card" for closed meetings. We say, "We are a closed group of Alcoholics Anonymous and ask that you introduce yourself as alcoholic only." or something like that. But if we see a new person come to our group, we find out if they are in the right place up front and if not, direct them elsewhere if need be.
If the group does what you do not like, try to change it or find another group.
In my group, we go beyond the "blue card" for closed meetings. We say, "We are a closed group of Alcoholics Anonymous and ask that you introduce yourself as alcoholic only." or something like that. But if we see a new person come to our group, we find out if they are in the right place up front and if not, direct them elsewhere if need be.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 541
Originally Posted by FanofJoeMcQ
I know this has been discussed. I have searched for the thread and can not find it.
Our meeting has recently added in the chairperson format that is read out loud slipped in after silence your cells phones... "please only identify as an alcoholic, do not identify on other issues such as addiction"...
I have not ever heard that as an actual annoucement. I am trying to find out the exact tradition.
ng.
Our meeting has recently added in the chairperson format that is read out loud slipped in after silence your cells phones... "please only identify as an alcoholic, do not identify on other issues such as addiction"...
I have not ever heard that as an actual annoucement. I am trying to find out the exact tradition.
ng.
Since there are so few rules in , it's AA is a big 'monkey hear/monkey do " program . SO when somebody hears somebody say :" May name is Joe and I'm an alcoholic and a drug addict" , they figure they should say it if they are a drug addict.
It's a lack of understanding or respect of Trad. 5 , IMO, but that's the way it goes.
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Originally Posted by FanofJoeMcQ
Any wisdom greatly appreciated. I have been reading all the traditions all morning.
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-35_...anAlcohol1.pdf
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 26,425
My ex-sponsor told me that the tradition started after a movie...i think wine and roses...where at the end of the movie the guy says I'm *** and *'m an alchoholic...
I intro as an alchohlic/addict...some say thats a big no no and could confuse and screw people up, but I do it for personal reasons related to my own story...and i always wonder if there might be someone who is alchoholic out there who is helped by the fact that I intro that way...
what helps one person always seems to hurt another....
I intro as an alchohlic/addict...some say thats a big no no and could confuse and screw people up, but I do it for personal reasons related to my own story...and i always wonder if there might be someone who is alchoholic out there who is helped by the fact that I intro that way...
what helps one person always seems to hurt another....
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Pugetopolis
Posts: 2,384
"I read somewhere that people that are new are so quick to "claim" alcoholic, that if they knew what they were claiming in an effort to fit in, they might refrain, as in the reality of what it is they are claiming. Many don't even know if they are a real alcoholic or not, but they say it to fit in, like it's expected....just a thought. "
I used to do that. I desperately needed somewhere to fit and I knew at some level that I was alcoholic, but didn't know what that meant. If you think about it, you have to be pretty screwed up to want to fit in in Alcoholics Anonymous.
I also used to say that I was an alcoholic and an addict because the counselor said to say that and most others were saying that too. Now I'm just an alcoholic.
Im open meetings I introduce myself by my first name, stating that I am a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. In closed meetings, I use my full name.
In our group's meeting, we don't ask any one to identify in any particular fashion. But if you are not alcoholic, you will be asked to leave.
I used to do that. I desperately needed somewhere to fit and I knew at some level that I was alcoholic, but didn't know what that meant. If you think about it, you have to be pretty screwed up to want to fit in in Alcoholics Anonymous.
I also used to say that I was an alcoholic and an addict because the counselor said to say that and most others were saying that too. Now I'm just an alcoholic.
Im open meetings I introduce myself by my first name, stating that I am a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. In closed meetings, I use my full name.
In our group's meeting, we don't ask any one to identify in any particular fashion. But if you are not alcoholic, you will be asked to leave.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 541
Originally Posted by ananda
My ex-sponsor told me that the tradition started after a movie...i think wine and roses...where at the end of the movie the guy says I'm *** and *'m an alchoholic...
....
....
mergirl
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Paradise
Posts: 4,161
It's funny because I have heard some grousing when people identify as an alcoholic/addict in our rooms, but generally speaking, as soon as said addict starts sharing I still hear the same sort of esh I hear from "plain old" alcoholics.
Nonexistent Willpower
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 439
Well
The way my sponsor put it "Let's focus work on the alcohol issue, see what happens, and go from there". Best advice EVAR!
My group welcomes addicts, but our closed meetings have a similar "alcohol only" announcement.
Many addicts say the AA meetings are much better than NA here. I'm both. I need to go support their meetings more often. Bill Wilson said we need to help get other groups on their feet. I know a few NA members who despise AA for some odd reason though.
My group welcomes addicts, but our closed meetings have a similar "alcohol only" announcement.
Many addicts say the AA meetings are much better than NA here. I'm both. I need to go support their meetings more often. Bill Wilson said we need to help get other groups on their feet. I know a few NA members who despise AA for some odd reason though.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado Prairie
Posts: 1,417
It's not something that should need to be said. Unfortunatley it does.
We come to Alcoholics Anonymous to share our like mindedness. We fit in because we are supposed to be the same size.
As soon as somebody tosses in a hyphenated alcoholic title it immediatley states that they want to be better, different or "one up" other people in the room.
Principles before Personality dictates that "What I am" comes before "Who I am"
What I am is an Alcoholic and that's all that needs to be said because it says it all. Any Alcoholic should know the rest of the story. As soon as somebody says "-addict", I'm lost and don't understand anymore.
We come to Alcoholics Anonymous to share our like mindedness. We fit in because we are supposed to be the same size.
As soon as somebody tosses in a hyphenated alcoholic title it immediatley states that they want to be better, different or "one up" other people in the room.
Principles before Personality dictates that "What I am" comes before "Who I am"
What I am is an Alcoholic and that's all that needs to be said because it says it all. Any Alcoholic should know the rest of the story. As soon as somebody says "-addict", I'm lost and don't understand anymore.
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 773
I identify myself as and alcoholic AND addict. The majority of people 35 and under have both issues. I don't care who I offend either. Dr. Bob was clearly a drug addict as well. You big book thumpers should not forget that.
tiburon
7
tiburon
7
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 14,082
I identify as a 'double vision alcoholic'. Have been doing this for some time and have yet to cause any disruption in the meetings I attend. I do happen to attend some very open minded meetings (might be a local California thing) where others identify as alcoholic/addict and such. Anywho, the people in meetings that I attend have learned to not 'sweat the petty stuff' or it seems that way.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,095
Originally Posted by tiburon88
I identify myself as and alcoholic AND addict.
Next time you go to a meeting, see how the people there with multiple years of sobriety identify. I think you'll find that's it's generally people who are fairly new to the program that stick the ANDA on. And that's probably becaue they know very little about the AA Traditions and the idea of singleness of purpose.
Singleness of purpose, Tibs, is the issue. It's not about age or that almost everyone new to AA has some drug issues as well. It's that those drug issues are none of AA's business. It's irrelevant.
At some point, a good sponsor should educate the guys they work with a little about these ideas. Ideally, that newcomer is surrounded in a strong group and this education takes place by example, not lecture.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 541
Originally Posted by tiburon88
I identify myself as and alcoholic AND addict. The majority of people 35 and under have both issues. I don't care who I offend either. Dr. Bob was clearly a drug addict as well. You big book thumpers should not forget that.
tiburon7
tiburon
7whether or not Dr bob or you are a drug addict is completely irrelevant to this matter.
do you also say where you are from when you identify? your weight? age? 40 yd, dash time?
Why not?
Om, Aum, Ohm...
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Punxsutawney/Pittsburgh
Posts: 4,797
Most "andas" outgrow the need to dually identify. At least, I did, and I've watched as others have as well. Somewhere in those steps, I received sufficient humility that I no longer felt the need to set myself apart.
When I'm in an AA meeting, I identify as an alcoholic. When I'm in the occasional NA meeting, I identify as an addict. Both are true, and I know that at the root of both of those problems is a common cause. I'm in the meeting to receive and to share the solution, as laid out in the steps, so I don't waste time trying to be different.
It's about humility, not that I've used drugs alcoholically or eat too many Pringles or abstain from buying lottery tickets because gambling killed my grandfather and I don't want to be next.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
When I'm in an AA meeting, I identify as an alcoholic. When I'm in the occasional NA meeting, I identify as an addict. Both are true, and I know that at the root of both of those problems is a common cause. I'm in the meeting to receive and to share the solution, as laid out in the steps, so I don't waste time trying to be different.
It's about humility, not that I've used drugs alcoholically or eat too many Pringles or abstain from buying lottery tickets because gambling killed my grandfather and I don't want to be next.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 14,082
On one hand I can see that.
I do set myself apart intentionally. Only because I have had AA members search me out after the meeting and approach me to ask about my dual diagnosis (mental stuff and alcoholism). Its a good ice breaker for those that have a duel disorder. Otherwise I wouldn't identify any differently form the majority of AA members.
Originally Posted by Sugah
Most "andas" outgrow the need to dually identify. At least, I did, and I've watched as others have as well. Somewhere in those steps, I received sufficient humility that I no longer felt the need to set myself apart.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Please chill Remember....
That is why I have removed posts.
Thank you
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Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 184
Looking for the exact tradition? Long form of Tradition Three:
3.) Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.
It doesn't say "all who suffer from alcoholism and other addictions". It says alcoholism only. Right there any AA group's conscience can expel anyone but pure alcoholics - or addicts with a genuine alcoholic history. So, your group is being very liberal by just asking that you only identify as alcoholic. They're not kicking you out for talking about drugs as well, it doesn't sound like.
Further on, it says "Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation"
It does not say "alcoholics and addicts gathered together for sobriety and to stay clean can call themselves whatever they want" -- it says "alcoholics gathered for sobriety may call themselves an AA Group".
It's funny, the very same Tradition in it's short form - the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking - gets used to justify addicts who can say "well I belong here, I don't want to drink" and has caused so many problems along these lines -- the long form of the same tradition can be used to keep any AA group as pure as it ought to be.
3.) Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.
It doesn't say "all who suffer from alcoholism and other addictions". It says alcoholism only. Right there any AA group's conscience can expel anyone but pure alcoholics - or addicts with a genuine alcoholic history. So, your group is being very liberal by just asking that you only identify as alcoholic. They're not kicking you out for talking about drugs as well, it doesn't sound like.
Further on, it says "Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation"
It does not say "alcoholics and addicts gathered together for sobriety and to stay clean can call themselves whatever they want" -- it says "alcoholics gathered for sobriety may call themselves an AA Group".
It's funny, the very same Tradition in it's short form - the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking - gets used to justify addicts who can say "well I belong here, I don't want to drink" and has caused so many problems along these lines -- the long form of the same tradition can be used to keep any AA group as pure as it ought to be.
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