AA perception Versus reality
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Severance Colorado
Posts: 150
I had a vision of a bunch of dried out old Sots that spent the entirety of their lives sitting around feeling sorry for themselves because they couldn't drink. The reasoning behind this vision was pretty sound. Mainly because I felt that's what I would do if I had to make the supreme sacrifice. Especially when you hear things like "One Day At A Time". If that doesn't make it sound like a white knuckle ride to hell and beyond counting the days, I don't know what will.
Of course I was wrong. There's no thoughts of drinking in my life and alcohol means as much to me as a sack of turnips. It's a feeling of absolute indifference. In Meetings we laugh, tell a few jokes, talk about God and Step work and drink coffee and eat cookies. It's enjoyable. As the book says, there is a sufficient substitute in the Fellowship. I would have never believed it for a second.
Of course I was wrong. There's no thoughts of drinking in my life and alcohol means as much to me as a sack of turnips. It's a feeling of absolute indifference. In Meetings we laugh, tell a few jokes, talk about God and Step work and drink coffee and eat cookies. It's enjoyable. As the book says, there is a sufficient substitute in the Fellowship. I would have never believed it for a second.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
I would think with Dee's sabbatical we will need to self moderate our comments even more so until other mods can take His place. This thread seems to definitely have crossed the line into a debate about recovery methods and really should not be taking place in the newcomers forum.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 480
I have seen only one post that seemed to even partially venture into statements rather than experiential opinion.
I am interested in the questions the OP posted and, if people can refrain from entering debate and remain on topic, just sharing their experience to the 2 questions, I don't understand the problem. It also seems to me that the Newcomers to Recovery forum might be a good place because lots of folks try AA right up front. Some folks have a good experience, some bad, but it's still interesting to see what their initial perception was, and their experience.
Just my .02...but of course, it's true that any thread can go south...
People can be pretty passionate about politics, religion, diet and...recovery methods!
I am interested in the questions the OP posted and, if people can refrain from entering debate and remain on topic, just sharing their experience to the 2 questions, I don't understand the problem. It also seems to me that the Newcomers to Recovery forum might be a good place because lots of folks try AA right up front. Some folks have a good experience, some bad, but it's still interesting to see what their initial perception was, and their experience.
Just my .02...but of course, it's true that any thread can go south...
People can be pretty passionate about politics, religion, diet and...recovery methods!
No half measures
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: State of Confusion
Posts: 424
I thought it was a great thread with some real good things said but I've been around enough to know these things get ugly real quick. Too bad because I think there is a lot to be said on the subject both positive and negative.
The motivation for the tread was a posting I saw from a newcomer about going to an AA meeting
The motivation for the tread was a posting I saw from a newcomer about going to an AA meeting
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