Bamboozle

Just walk away. Do not say anything. Eventually, they will get the message.

Sugah

I missed the sobriety thing--starting out with the longest and ending with the shortest clean time. At the big AA functions I go to, there's usually a "sobriety count-down." The whole point of starting with the longest sobriety and ending with the shortest is the build in momentum. Those with 40+ years get some applause, but as it comes down under a year, the room starts to hoot & holler. And, if there's someone in his or her first few days of sobriety, there's usually a standing ovation.

Anyway... doing it in that way seems to put the emphasis where it belongs--on the lifeblood and purpose of the fellowship.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

IO Storm

In our AA Round Ups..we have sobriety countdowns. We begin with the the oldtimer's..

and count down to the newcomer..this year it was a woman I knew. She had 7 days.

Shaky, she walked up..and was given a Big Book by the Oldest old timer..the Big Book

was signed by 150 peeps. It was touching..and powerful.

As others have offered..are you sure it was NA?

I've attended 12 Step Studies and meetings for Christians in Recovery in the past.

Have you asked your friends who guided you to this particular meeting..do they

attend regularly themselves?

If it is "regular" NA..the traditions should be followed..but remember grand anniversary

countdowns are in reverse...at least where I come from.

And I am a recovered alcoholic, drug addict, and mental health patient...who still

has the "ism" of the disease , and always will.

By the grace of God I haven't picked up for two and a half years...

I am a Christian, You'veGot, and I am sorry you felt left out and not welcomed

in a roomful such as these.

The point is..find the best place for you.

Blessings

Hevyn

NA focuses on developing spirituality & is non-religious. How confusing & potentially damaging for someone of a faith other than Christian to stumble into a meeting like that. They need to find another name for their group.

YouveGotStyleKi

Hahaha, my only real problem is I don't currently have a vehicle. My friend drove me, and he figured no matter how terrible it was, there was free food so he didn't want to leave. Hahaha, selfish *******.

tommyk

Correct.

NA is a program of attraction, NOT promotion.

Latte

I wouldn't go back to that one. You tried it, it didn't work for you. I'm sure it works for others and that is what matters. Can you imagine if that was just what another addict who was looking for recovery was looking for..and couldn't find it? I am thankful that there are places that we can all to and get support.

All About Love

NA is not a religious based programme!

doorknob

The religion that tells you it's not a religion, lol...

Ever heard of the Oxford Group?

All About Love

yes actually
ever heard of getting into the present?
that was 1908 1918 an 1935!!!!
hello huni...we are now in 2008.
an maybe its not the same all over, here in adelaide though religion aint pushed in meetings
you think you can stay clean without meetings then go for gold babe, for 90% of recovering addicts though thats a complete fallicy

doorknob

"Huni", lol.

Where are you getting your stats?

As far as spirituality vs. religion... classic bait and switch tactics.

If it walks like a duck...

I do go to meetings, because peer support is important for me, but I go to the most secular ones I can find.

Aysha

I steer clear of conversations about politics and religion.
But this made me laugh.
That would be a motivator for me to go too..LOL..sry guys..Fodd will always get me to go anywhere.

They can babble about whatever till the cows come home..If I got food..I'm good.

Jules62

I've been to several AA meetings-some were really wonderful-some not so much, but I don't base my opinion on the people involved.I accept every meeting has it's own 'culture' and I fit better with some more than others.I can't blame the people there-they're only there for the same reasons i am-I'm an alcoholic and need help.We're all flawed in different ways.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience-but please don't think all other groups are like this.Hell-I'm not even an A.Aer-but I have immense respect for the people I've met in meetings I've attended.

Jules.

nogard

my sponsor once told me, that when you in a room full of addicts your dealing with a room full of sick people

bugsworth

brainfried...To me aa/na are religious programs, I suppose we will have to agree to disagree.

Not sure about your 90% of addicts comment...like DK said...Stats?

All About Love

cool bananas
i dig that avatar

Lily

Are you sure you were not in a Chirstian based Church 12 step program? We used to have one at our church in San Diego. I personally do not mind when people mention their HP's. I have heard many, Jesus, Mormonism, Catholisim, Native American Indian, even the Red Tailed Hawk.

I just want to see people get clean and sober. Very rarely will I ever mention my HP by name, so I do not exclude others. I will however talk with people afterwards if they want to know more. I had one guy say to me once that he wanted to know Jesus, so I asked him if he mind if I share more (after the meeting)

So..... I do believe people should be careful and never try to convert others during a meeting but not because of traditions so much, cuz when it is your turn to share, you should be sharing from the "I" no matter who your HP is. However it is wrong if it is done in a way that is cross talk which is not allowed cuz we are not group therapy.

Don't be shocked and alarmed, heck at my first NA meeting the guy leading it busted out a bottle of norco which is my DOC.

Blessings, Sheila

lostbutterfly

I once went to a Hare Krishna evening for the free food. It was gorgeous and all vegetarian!