Too smart to be sober
 

What is meant by the phrase too smart to be sober?

As far as AA goes...I've heard the expression "I've seen people too smart to get the program of AA....But I've never seen one too dumb too get it."....Meaning...It's a simple program if you just do it as it's done in the book with the help of someone that has already done it. Some people tend to overthink it or think they have their own way to do it that's better...And they usually don't fair too well.

Yep, what Sapling said. It's not just an AA thing.

I've been told both by my sponsor and my addiction counselor to quit over-thinking and overanalyzing everything and "get out of my own way."

There is a saying like this around the rooms of AA, I believe it refers to people who want to do it their own way as opposed to the AA way. There are lots of sayings around the rooms of AA. Most of them have no basis in the 12 steps or the book, IMHO. This is not to say they cannot be helpful to some people, but I wouldn't go through a lot of mental gymnastics trying to understand it, or feel that you have to agree with it. My sobriety does not depend on catchy sayings or slogans - it is my responsibility to put the work in to stay sober.

And of course a lot of people sober up without AA. It took AA for me but there are other ways - lots of people on this forum are living testimony to that.

I was so smart when I came into this program, thinking I knew everything, what the heck are all these alcoholics going to teach me????

Well, I humbled up, put my EGO aside, and started listening. It worked! I am now steadfastly trying to put my own EGO aside before every meeting and listening to what everyone else is saying. It is all about humbling ourselves in order to learn, getting out of our own way so that our Soul can take over.

I have a younger brother like that...He can do it on his own...He sees that I just got a year sober in AA...But he's been to a meeting once and he doesn't need it. He's white knuckled a month here and there over the last five years he's been talking about quitting...Including every New Years Eve. Like me...He'll get the resonableness and willingness beaten into him by alcohol....I can only remain sober and watch alcohol bring him to his knees...Like it did for me. That's what it took for me to say....Maybe I don't know sh!t about this disease....I think I'll talk to some people that do.

Sometimes the most intelligent thing we can do is ask for help when we need it.

It's a hard thing to let go of though. I learnt at an early age (well 14 or so!) that I wasn't going to learn anything if I never asked any questions. But it didn't stop me from thinking that I had to do everything my way. Sometimes the best thing to do is say 'I don't know'.

We have a sign on the wall where I go to my HG meeting that says that..."I don't know"

I have to put my "intellectual" aside when trying to practice my program so I can tune in on (realize) the spiritual.

An oldtimer in our group says he has all the characteristics of a normal person but he has them to extremes. He also says the "God people" seem to get the program better than he does.

I was told that I was my own worst enemy... and nobody needs a smart enemy :c033:


There is a sign over the meeting door in a nearby town that says "This might be your lucky day"

All the best.

Bob R

Clearly we all need to find our own path to recovery.

I didn't feel very smart at all when I finally stopped drinking. I was able to find simple answers in books, particularly "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. I learned to relax and stay in the moment and to not judge myself and others.

I've never heard that phrase outside the rooms of AA.

In its benevolent sense, the phrase can be used to suggest that someone stop with the useless brain chatter and start making positive changes.

In its less benevolent sense, the phrase can be used as a way of dismissing legitimate questions about the 12 step philosophy and approach.

They also have another one I like...That I needed to hear..."Check your ego at the door". It worked a lot better for me when I understood that one.

Love this. I find incredible peace in being able to say I don't know.

Frees me from being bound by over responsibility, and frees others around me to offer solutions and ideas.

I am incredibly grateful to be learning all the things that don't exist inside my small understanding

I am a recovering know-it-all, lol

I thought I was so smart that I didnt need to go to AA anymore.
And then I fell flat on my face. Literally...
Shows you how smart I thought I was.
After being sober for almost 3 years.
I'm back to the first step in AA again. ( 3 months sober. )
This time I KNOW...
Humbled and working the steps. AGAIN..
Much respect and love to you all!
~Love, GT2~

Welcome back!!!

I took responsibility for my drinking and the results it had on me and my loved ones. It was nobody's doing but mine. So I stopped.

Too smart to be sober? Does not make any sense to me, sort of like 'too strong to be healthy'.

;) Some sayings are best left unsaid. Especially the ones that create more division that connection.

Well I think you got some answers , stay on the beam :)