Rarely have we seen a person fail
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,949
Originally Posted by BackToSquareOne 
I always wondered if the whole "Powerlessness" message is a good or bad thing. Some people can hear that and just use it as more fuel for the fire. "I'm powerless anyhow, I'm never going to have that illusive spiritual experience so why even bother trying". It seems like it could be a double edged sword.
-Doug Stanhope comedian
c'mon that's a good one
AA member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: United Kingdom.
Posts: 3,007
Debates on these forums about whether AA does or does not work are unhelpful.
AA is for people that want it,a lot of people go for a short while and don't stay,of course it dosen't work for them.
Getting a sponsor,working the steps and then applying the steps to everyday life,is what is needed for AA to work.
AA is for people that want it,a lot of people go for a short while and don't stay,of course it dosen't work for them.
Getting a sponsor,working the steps and then applying the steps to everyday life,is what is needed for AA to work.
Kaleidoscope eyes
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Posts: 5,243
Originally Posted by heath480
Debates on these forums about whether AA does or does not work are unhelpful.
AA is for people that want it,a lot of people go for a short while and don't stay,of course it dosen't work for them.
Getting a sponsor,working the steps and then applying the steps to everyday life,is what is needed for AA to work.
AA is for people that want it,a lot of people go for a short while and don't stay,of course it dosen't work for them.
Getting a sponsor,working the steps and then applying the steps to everyday life,is what is needed for AA to work.
AA member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: United Kingdom.
Posts: 3,007
L
Did you read that post Katel?
I never mentioned other therapies.
There are all sorts of methods people use to recover.
This is a site where we help each other,not to debate recovery methods.
I never mentioned other therapies.
There are all sorts of methods people use to recover.
This is a site where we help each other,not to debate recovery methods.
Kaleidoscope eyes
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Posts: 5,243
Originally Posted by heath480
Did you read that post Katel?
I never mentioned other therapies.
There are all sorts of methods people use to recover.
This is a site where we help each other,not to debate recovery methods.
I never mentioned other therapies.
There are all sorts of methods people use to recover.
This is a site where we help each other,not to debate recovery methods.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 559
Originally Posted by BackToSquareOne
I always wondered if the whole "Powerlessness" message is a good or bad thing. Some people can hear that and just use it as more fuel for the fire. "I'm powerless anyhow, I'm never going to have that illusive spiritual experience so why even bother trying". It seems like it could be a double edged sword.
as for saying that AA is unproven by quoting the Orange Papers - that's like saying war is wrong and using the Westboro Baptist Church as your source. both sides have their stance. the only sure method is to find your own way, with whatever works.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 20,458
Ah...the late *great* Maybach versus the Yugo debate of September...my sobriety is better than yours. 
Ridiculessness/Crazy at it's finest.
I'm sober 29 months, no AA, no powerlessness, helplessness....just realized that booze was slowly killing me and stealing the joy of living....(I was a slow learner, I admit)....my big plan was to improve my health and lose the depressive feelings that came with heavy wine consumption.
if you are sober and happy with your own personal method, it's a winning combo. however you do it.
Ridiculessness/Crazy at it's finest.
I'm sober 29 months, no AA, no powerlessness, helplessness....just realized that booze was slowly killing me and stealing the joy of living....(I was a slow learner, I admit)....my big plan was to improve my health and lose the depressive feelings that came with heavy wine consumption.
if you are sober and happy with your own personal method, it's a winning combo. however you do it.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 188
We realized we were powerless over our addiction and our lives had become unmanagable...powerless means to me, that the addiction is always going to win. I can't control it...The 2nd step adds hope to the equation and a spiritual path to follow by suggesting - We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Suggestion there that the high power can restore the sanity in our lives that our powerless has left us with and our addiction is causing. And then leading to -
Third Step.....Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
So you don't have to take any action in 1st step - you just have to admit something and realize something----it isn't until you get to the third step that you get to decide to do something about it - and this decision, as is my understanding, will assist you in recovering from the powerlessness of addiction...take as a whole, the steps describe the process by which we may overcome the unmanagbilty and powerlessness our addiction leads us into...
Third Step.....Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
So you don't have to take any action in 1st step - you just have to admit something and realize something----it isn't until you get to the third step that you get to decide to do something about it - and this decision, as is my understanding, will assist you in recovering from the powerlessness of addiction...take as a whole, the steps describe the process by which we may overcome the unmanagbilty and powerlessness our addiction leads us into...
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bethlehem, PA.
Posts: 1,781
Is it possible that the end result of any successful method is simply the realisation that thoughts are just thoughts and you don't have to give in to any of them. The lizard brain wants instant gratification but you have the ability to say no. Maybe harnessing that ability is the main thing you are doing with any method. Just a thought.
Its_me_jen
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Salina, Ks
Posts: 8,547
Just a reminder follks ...
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: highland beach, florida
Posts: 649
Originally Posted by BackToSquareOne
Is it possible that the end result of any successful method is simply the realisation that thoughts are just thoughts and you don't have to give in to any of them. The lizard brain wants instant gratification but you have the ability to say no. Maybe harnessing that ability is the main thing you are doing with any method. Just a thought.
...and IMO an excellent thought. I dare say that unless the alcoholics' commitment is absolute , no "program" or Higher power is coming to save him.
You have to want it for yourself, no one else . IMO I do not feel that the reason some fail is because they do not work a program. They fail because they are not fully invested in their commitment to a sober life. I feel anyone can get sober--they just have to make that determination for themselves, and if they NEED to believe in a Higher Power other than themselves so be it. Just get it done.I know easy to say hard to do, but the stregnth is inside each of us we just have to find a way to release it. IMO!!
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 821
Originally Posted by BackToSquareOne
Is it possible that the end result of any successful method is simply the realisation that thoughts are just thoughts and you don't have to give in to any of them. The lizard brain wants instant gratification but you have the ability to say no. Maybe harnessing that ability is the main thing you are doing with any method. Just a thought.
Thanks BTSO
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,949
Originally Posted by MaxxPower
Opps, you got me all wrong.
We should start a religion and politics section on SR
Sounds helpful and fun *cough*
We should start a religion and politics section on SR
Sounds helpful and fun *cough*
nobody seems to mind those
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
I thoroughly followed the path. I got Sober and I stayed sober that's all that really makes a difference to me. I believe anyone who achieved long term sobriety has thoroughly followed some path that worked for them
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