AA Misconceptions
friend of bill w.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: east coast
Posts: 218
AA Misconceptions
Hello everyone!
Two of the most common misconceptions concerning AA that I've noticed on this forum is the following;
1- "AA says you are not sober if you take medication."
2- "AA is a bunch of holy rollers."
The following quote is in the chapter, Forward to the 2nd Edition, and can be found in editions 2 - 4 of the text of Alcoholics Anonymous..and I quote;
"Alcoholics Anonymous is not a religious organization. Neither does A.A. take any particular medical point of view, though we cooperate widely with the men of medicine as well as with the men of religion."
And to clarify, no I am not an "AA zealot". In fact I resisted AA for years, and when I finally did go...took no suggestions; until I was in enough pain to try it 'their way'. I only have 70 something days sober, but I got a sponsor and am working the steps. FOR ME...it is my only hope of lasting sobriety.
Thank you for listening.
Two of the most common misconceptions concerning AA that I've noticed on this forum is the following;
1- "AA says you are not sober if you take medication."
2- "AA is a bunch of holy rollers."
The following quote is in the chapter, Forward to the 2nd Edition, and can be found in editions 2 - 4 of the text of Alcoholics Anonymous..and I quote;
"Alcoholics Anonymous is not a religious organization. Neither does A.A. take any particular medical point of view, though we cooperate widely with the men of medicine as well as with the men of religion."
And to clarify, no I am not an "AA zealot". In fact I resisted AA for years, and when I finally did go...took no suggestions; until I was in enough pain to try it 'their way'. I only have 70 something days sober, but I got a sponsor and am working the steps. FOR ME...it is my only hope of lasting sobriety.
Thank you for listening.
Too far from the beach
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 387
The word higher power and "God" is written and spoken too many times in AA for them not to admit they are of a relious nature. However if going to AA is what it takes to get you sober, do it. Personally, I would prefer to hang with Doorknb.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,141
Originally Posted by lovinmenow 
The word higher power and "God" is written and spoken too many times in AA for them not to admit they are of a relious nature. However if going to AA is what it takes to get you sober, do it. Personally, I would prefer to hang with Doorknb.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: uk
Posts: 2,548
id prefer to hang with everyone.........
Because we all had or have a common dilema...once we started drinking we had big problems stopping.
Thats what ties me to this site..........im amongst people that know how it feels to be cornered by alcohol.....or drugs come to that cos its all the same to me.
I dont care if you sit in a tree...dressed as batman and singing Gloria Gaynor songs to stay sober.....we have a common goal......staying sober and thats what counts to me...
I come here to share and converse with other people like me...and for me a reap a huge benefit
Yes i am a AA member.......i reap huge benefits from that as well.
And i hope....in fact i know that others reap huge benefits from other support groups.........fanstatic...
Recovery has given me the benefit of being able to have a open mind and accept people for there views and opinions.
Lets all rejoice that we have found a way to LIVE contented sobriety.
Thats our ultimate goal right ?...................trucker
Because we all had or have a common dilema...once we started drinking we had big problems stopping.
Thats what ties me to this site..........im amongst people that know how it feels to be cornered by alcohol.....or drugs come to that cos its all the same to me.
I dont care if you sit in a tree...dressed as batman and singing Gloria Gaynor songs to stay sober.....we have a common goal......staying sober and thats what counts to me...
I come here to share and converse with other people like me...and for me a reap a huge benefit
Yes i am a AA member.......i reap huge benefits from that as well.
And i hope....in fact i know that others reap huge benefits from other support groups.........fanstatic...
Recovery has given me the benefit of being able to have a open mind and accept people for there views and opinions.
Lets all rejoice that we have found a way to LIVE contented sobriety.
Thats our ultimate goal right ?...................trucker
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
It's great to have an opinion but the guy has 70 days sober and is going strong. Why not stick up some real sober dates and the things that you are doing to keep sober rather than the constant knocking if AA. It would be useful to point out these alternatives and how they are working for us.
I'll start
Sobriety date 15th October 2008
Going to alcohol counselor twice a week, one individual one group, working on lifestyle changes and new social skills
I'll start
Sobriety date 15th October 2008
Going to alcohol counselor twice a week, one individual one group, working on lifestyle changes and new social skills
Last edited by yeahgr8; 02-27-2009 at 05:30 PM. Reason: empasis
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,141
Originally Posted by yeahgr8
It's great to have an opinion but the guy has 70 days sober and is going strong. Why not stick up some real sober dates and the things that you are doing to keep sober rather than the constant knocking if AA. It would be useful to point out these alternatives and how they are working for us.
I'll start
Sobriety date 15th October 2008
Going to alcohol counselor twice a week, one individual one group, working on lifestyle changes and new social skills
I'll start
Sobriety date 15th October 2008
Going to alcohol counselor twice a week, one individual one group, working on lifestyle changes and new social skills
6
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Posts: 746
As far as my alcoholism goes, it is life or death. As far as there being only one way, I'm sure there are many, I have experience with one, so that's what I share. There are a lot of people who like to share opinions on a program they have never worked, in a fellowship they are not a part of.
The original post was about misconceptions in AA, however, like many other threads, some folks like to get together and bust on what they don't like about AA, There's too much God talk, etc...yeah, we get it. Seems like some of you never miss an opportunity to take a shot, it's getting really old.
The original post was about misconceptions in AA, however, like many other threads, some folks like to get together and bust on what they don't like about AA, There's too much God talk, etc...yeah, we get it. Seems like some of you never miss an opportunity to take a shot, it's getting really old.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,141
Originally Posted by Rob B
As far as my alcoholism goes, it is life or death. As far as there being only one way, I'm sure there are many, I have experience with one, so that's what I share. There are a lot of people who like to share opinions on a program they have never worked, in a fellowship they are not a part of.
The original post was about misconceptions in AA, however, like many other threads, some folks like to get together and bust on what they don't like about AA, There's too much God talk, etc...yeah, we get it. Seems like some of you never miss an opportunity to take a shot, it's getting really old.
The original post was about misconceptions in AA, however, like many other threads, some folks like to get together and bust on what they don't like about AA, There's too much God talk, etc...yeah, we get it. Seems like some of you never miss an opportunity to take a shot, it's getting really old.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,299
I agree with Rob here.It's getting VERY old.Seahorse had every right to post what they did and express an opinion.Fine if you don't agree too.
My weariness with this topic though comes from the thought that-if you need to tear down someone else's road to recovery then I seriously have to question why?If your particular method-whatever it is-needs you to engage in dissing someone elses then I question just how valid it really is for you?Why is it so hard to accept?
Surely a huge part of recovery is that we become more accepting of other people and the various ways they go about getting and remaining sober?What's to gain in tearing down someone elses way just because it didn't work for you? Do you resent the fact it might work for them?Then that's your problem, no one elses.
I don't even do A.A.But I respect it and have many wonderful friends who are part of it.Just like I have sober friends who are equally as wonderful and don't do it.
If I am happy and grateful for the program that I'm doing-and it's working, then I have no need to be negative about others IMO.
Jules.
My weariness with this topic though comes from the thought that-if you need to tear down someone else's road to recovery then I seriously have to question why?If your particular method-whatever it is-needs you to engage in dissing someone elses then I question just how valid it really is for you?Why is it so hard to accept?
Surely a huge part of recovery is that we become more accepting of other people and the various ways they go about getting and remaining sober?What's to gain in tearing down someone elses way just because it didn't work for you? Do you resent the fact it might work for them?Then that's your problem, no one elses.
I don't even do A.A.But I respect it and have many wonderful friends who are part of it.Just like I have sober friends who are equally as wonderful and don't do it.
If I am happy and grateful for the program that I'm doing-and it's working, then I have no need to be negative about others IMO.
Jules.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
I;m closeing this thread for now.
Please relaxx and chill.
Some posts will be removed....by request and by our posting guidelines.
Thanks
Plese follow these guidelines
Please relaxx and chill.
Some posts will be removed....by request and by our posting guidelines.
Thanks
Plese follow these guidelines
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Last edited by CarolD; 02-27-2009 at 08:21 PM.
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