A Weird Guy Went Off on Me in Meeting Tonite
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 58
A Weird Guy Went Off on Me in Meeting Tonite
I went to a meeting tonight, as I do almost every night. I had a lapse early in the week, and shared the experience, which was like this:
I haven't yet identified the exact trigger, but the craving overpowered me and I drank. It tasted awful, and as "the buzz" came on, I didn't like the feeling at all. Since I wasn't enjoying it, I quit after two drinks and that was the end of it. I'm very grateful and relieved that I did not proceed to get obliterated, or engage in the self-destructive behaviors which usually accompany my drinking.
I reported it to my outpatient counselor, and she seemed offended that I wasn't beating myself up about it. Honestly, I just felt relieved, graced by God's mercy, concerned about how suddenly and powerfully that craving came over me, and determined to delve more deeply into the program to prevent a recurrence. (So I took the plunge the next day and got a sponsor!)
After I shared this at the AA meeting, one strange fellow (who obviously has some mental/developmental issues) got very agitated. He went off on me saying that I was playing games and not serious, and if I really thought I had an alcohol problem I'd be in tears of remorse. He said my appearance was too healthy and my mental state too positive for me to be a true alcoholic. He concluded by saying that he had been faking his own participation in AA off and on for 25 years, so he was going to stop attending. This poor soul was completely upset!!
You coulda heard a pin drop in that room! It was kinda sad. I'm not sure why he was so provoked by my story. Maybe, being a little fragile, he felt my experience disavowed his own. Anyhow, I hope he calms down and keeps attending.
I haven't yet identified the exact trigger, but the craving overpowered me and I drank. It tasted awful, and as "the buzz" came on, I didn't like the feeling at all. Since I wasn't enjoying it, I quit after two drinks and that was the end of it. I'm very grateful and relieved that I did not proceed to get obliterated, or engage in the self-destructive behaviors which usually accompany my drinking.
I reported it to my outpatient counselor, and she seemed offended that I wasn't beating myself up about it. Honestly, I just felt relieved, graced by God's mercy, concerned about how suddenly and powerfully that craving came over me, and determined to delve more deeply into the program to prevent a recurrence. (So I took the plunge the next day and got a sponsor!)
After I shared this at the AA meeting, one strange fellow (who obviously has some mental/developmental issues) got very agitated. He went off on me saying that I was playing games and not serious, and if I really thought I had an alcohol problem I'd be in tears of remorse. He said my appearance was too healthy and my mental state too positive for me to be a true alcoholic. He concluded by saying that he had been faking his own participation in AA off and on for 25 years, so he was going to stop attending. This poor soul was completely upset!!
You coulda heard a pin drop in that room! It was kinda sad. I'm not sure why he was so provoked by my story. Maybe, being a little fragile, he felt my experience disavowed his own. Anyhow, I hope he calms down and keeps attending.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
Sorry but that does happen from time to time
While in the states there was this huge guy who would attended a few meetings I went to
His shares always had an aggressive, combative tone. When he finished the room usually went quite
While in the states there was this huge guy who would attended a few meetings I went to
His shares always had an aggressive, combative tone. When he finished the room usually went quite
Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,384
In my opinion that's BS that that guy went off on you. No one is supposed to go off on anyone at a meeting, especially since you were honest about what happened.
Unfortunately this does happen from time to time. I've seen guys go off on one another at a meeting more than once. I've seen women go at it with one another at a meeting also.
It's his problem not yours. I would put this fellow in God's hands and pray that God shows him the right way to live.
Unfortunately this does happen from time to time. I've seen guys go off on one another at a meeting more than once. I've seen women go at it with one another at a meeting also.
It's his problem not yours. I would put this fellow in God's hands and pray that God shows him the right way to live.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 607
When I went to my 1st AA meeting after a six month lapse and told them I relapsed. This big dude got his turn sharing and started yelling at me about how he was tired of people coming in and saying they relapsed. He said "It's not a relapse it's a slip." Then went on about not slipping in over twenty years even after going to prison a few times for assault and gun charges so he didn't understand anyone who "slips". I wanted to say "well I definitely don't want what you have" but was afraid he might shoot me after the meeting.
Point is, there is no vetting process in AA. They let anyone in the door so your bound to get a few people who are a bit off center. Ok a lot.
Point is, there is no vetting process in AA. They let anyone in the door so your bound to get a few people who are a bit off center. Ok a lot.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,293
Originally Posted by esinger 
When I went to my 1st AA meeting after a six month lapse and told them I relapsed. This big dude got his turn sharing and started yelling at me about how he was tired of people coming in and saying they relapsed. He said "It's not a relapse it's a slip." Then went on about not slipping in over twenty years even after going to prison a few times for assault and gun charges so he didn't understand anyone who "slips". I wanted to say "well I definitely don't want what you have" but was afraid he might shoot me after the meeting.
Point is, there is no vetting process in AA. They let anyone in the door so your bound to get a few people who are a bit off center. Ok a lot.
Point is, there is no vetting process in AA. They let anyone in the door so your bound to get a few people who are a bit off center. Ok a lot.
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Originally Posted by sg1970
Some of us are sicker than others. (that always gives me hope!)
By the hundredth meeting I went to, I was afraid I would meet too many people like me.
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