seekinrecovery

I've been to many an AA mtg, however last night was the most intense, resentment filled mtg ever! A guy announced his 23rd sobriety bday was b4 xmas - but wasn't given a coin after his announcement last night. He got so pissed, the others just assumed that he'd already gotten it since it had been almost a month ago. He wouldn't except his coin! 23 yrs sober - i'd be taken it.

Then - same guy made a newcomer feel really uncomfortable. They just switched this mtg to a closed mtg and a guy came a little late. When it came his time to share he said that he wasn't sure if he was an alcolholic or not, but thought he might try AA. The birthday boy threw his hands in the air and said "u can't b here then, this is a closed mtg!" Made the poor chap (and the rest of us) so uncomfy. Poor guy - hate that this was his first AA experience.

Fubarcdn

That is a tragedy. The goof doesn't deserve his coin since he hasn't embraced step twelve and after that amount of time he should have.
Maybe not giving him his coin is a way of the powers to be to tell him to hit the road, there is the door, don't let it hit you on the way out.

TryingSoHard

Wow, that's harsh. If someone had said that to me at my first meeting, I can PROMISE you I never would have made it to a second one!!

CAPTAINZING2000

the new guy was where he was supposed to be

The guy with 23 years needs a better sponsor!!!

quanity time in AA doesn't ensure quality time!!!

least

That may have been an AA meeting but those members sure aren't living up to AA standards.:wtf2 Had it been me, I'd have left and never come back.

tommyk

Just another reminder that clean/sober time does not equal recovery.

None of us are exempt from falling back into our old patterns if we aren't careful.

And... I hope to God I never lose my cool like that... glad it wasn't me.

seekinrecovery

I almost got up and left myself - it was SOOO uncomfortable. I made sure to stick around after the meeting tho to let him know that that is not usually how the meetings go, and told him about the meeting tonight. I really hope he shows up so he can see a decent meeting.

Isaiah

I wish I could say there haven't been meetings where I've left pissed off at one situation or another.

Too bad that after 23 years that guy didn't know that a desire to stop drinking is the only requirement.

gravity

Recently, my sponsor and I went to a meeting in a neighboring city. As part of my share, I told people where I was from and later this guy shares that the AA program in my home town is pathetic and that he can say whatever he wants because he has been sober for 15 years! My sponsor whispered in my ear "I see they have wingnuts in their meetings too..."

Unfortunately, there are sick people everywhere that just don't get it. It's really sad that this happened when a newcomer was present.

seekinrecovery

I went to this same meeting a couple of months ago - went in with a smile as I usually do, said hi to everyone and he asked me "what are you so damn happy about?" - like there was something wrong with me?!

prettypoison

That is really sad. That poor fellow probably went out drinking immediately and said "nope I'm not an alcoholic" if they behave that way... Sure doesn't make long-term sobriety look appealing. Yikes!

That said glad you went to a meeting.

getr345

I have a two month coin and I have not officially done any steps.

Do I not deserve my coin?

Are they only for people doing the steps? Honest question, thanks.

gravity

Yes, you earned it. Congratulations!

seekinrecovery

You take that coin! In my opinion - whether ur doin the steps or not - you still have the sobriety and that is a fantastic accomplishment. Accept it, look at it, and be proud!!!

getr345

Good, because I'm gonna go to another meeting and get my three month coin this weekend.

Isaiah

Not at all! You earned it!

I think it's probably just a universal AA phenomenon that some people in rare instances, once they've reached double digit sober years tend to forget that the principles of AA are not their own egos.

seekinrecovery

Good For You!! I almost made it to three months last time - 87 days. Why'd I screw it up? Damn Vegas trip. Oh well - I can get there again.

Congrats and enjoy getting ur chip!

Fubarcdn

You definitely deserve itgetr345 . I only said that because the guy in question is a real SOB. I am not an AA'er but I do know that no organization would be proud to have an abusive person as a member. I meant no disrespect to anybody that is trying and getting their coins for staying sober. I only think that we should all show respect for each other and encourage each other and not use the 23 years clean thing as an excuse to power trip on someone who has made the first step to change. That guy may have ruined the other person's chance for recovery and that really ticked me off.

Congrats on your 2 months.

doorknob

Is that 3 months w/out any substances or just alcohol?

gravity

Just got my one year coin last night...one month after the fact! (my home group had it engraved) The girl who gave it to me actually apologized. How can anyone get p***ed-off over a coin? Good grief...I am just so grateful for my sobriety and my friends in AA.