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catrose

(5,050 posts)
170. I can't understand why it's being set up as AA vs. anything
Sun Dec 22, 2019, 09:18 PM
Dec 2019

Certainly the courts should take into account other recovery systems, maybe specify that people need to be in one, rather than just send them all to AA. Courts move slowly.

As other people have pointed out: AA is free; you can find someone to talk to you at any hour of the day, any day of the year; you can fit it into your schedule rather than take time from your job; you can be as religious as you want or don't want to be; you can add whatever medical, spiritual, or other help is available to you. I don't imagine many people walk in their first meeting and never drink again, but I'd count any day that they don't drink as a victory.

Carrie Fisher spent her life in and out of recovery, but when you add mental illness to the mix, the problems are even more complex. Many people get sober and are thrilled at the clarity and quality of life thereafter. Carrie (and others like her) return to staring in horror at the bipolar brain she was trying to escape from in the first place.

There is a simple reason many have strong negative opinions about AA SCantiGOP Dec 2019 #1
AA has a subgroup for atheists, or for those who just don't want to bring God into it. Aristus Dec 2019 #4
not really SCantiGOP Dec 2019 #8
AA doesn't work for all. Even for those who do believe in God. Kaleva Dec 2019 #12
How did you succeed? OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #21
I just got sick of the taste and quit cold turkey. Kaleva Dec 2019 #106
You are truly one of the lucky stars. So happy for you 💕 OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #111
It saved me,38 years ago. virgogal Dec 2019 #88
Wonderful! Merry Christmas ✨✨❤️ OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #94
It has saved a number of people. I don't knock AA Kaleva Dec 2019 #107
I'm glad you did. Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #186
This message was self-deleted by its author Nature Man Dec 2019 #29
You can't keep the concept of powerlessness out of it, and that's what many object to. pnwmom Dec 2019 #69
Addiction is a power. The group power can help overcome the temptation of addiction OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #112
But AA isn't the only group and its practices aren't the only practices. pnwmom Dec 2019 #113
Of course it isn't. It's just a worldwide 24/7 one OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #124
I'm glad that worked for your relative. Sobriety isn't easy, Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #187
Me, too. An older relative swore by AA, but the young one just couldn't connect with it. pnwmom Dec 2019 #196
Diarrhea is a power Nature Man Dec 2019 #121
The power of logorrhea aside, I do hope you found something that works for you, personally. Hekate Dec 2019 #147
Sorry (IMHO) Timewas Dec 2019 #73
So right for so many addicts. OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #84
I think that a lot of resistance to AA is from people who don't want to drink Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #188
Agreed Timewas Dec 2019 #195
That kind of argument leaves me cold. Igel Dec 2019 #91
Well said! OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #102
More like, "Caveat Emptor" Nature Man Dec 2019 #127
It's free to all. Active addicts sometimes lack discernment OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #137
Where, exactly, did the poster imply that AA shouldn't exist? nt. Mariana Dec 2019 #171
It's "higher power" and for those who aren't religious, higher power is AA LeftInTX Dec 2019 #159
There's also other reasons Major Nikon Dec 2019 #173
Who makes those claims? Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #189
I already told you. AA makes those claims. Major Nikon Dec 2019 #194
You don't have a problem with alcohol so you go with a closed mind and negativity towards AA. Were demosincebirth Dec 2019 #184
The religious aspect of it triggers fescuerescue Dec 2019 #2
Glad you mentioned the triggering aspect. Lars39 Dec 2019 #58
The poster calls those people "non-religious fundys" [sic] and "extremist" [sic]. Mariana Dec 2019 #172
Yes. They expect and demand conformity. Lars39 Dec 2019 #174
I would have no problem with it if it weren't state-mandated. X_Digger Dec 2019 #63
A professional addresses this issue below. There is a choice OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #77
A professional addresses this issue below. There is a choice OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #78
"Take what you want" isn't what AA says jmowreader Dec 2019 #110
Read comments from The addicts AA saved. OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #135
personal comments are anecdotal evidence Nature Man Dec 2019 #136
Good point. Although attributing 17+ years of sobriety to AA is a tad more than "casual" OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #141
Back up for a second jmowreader Dec 2019 #175
Depends on the locality. There are courts today, that only allow AA. (Because it's free.) X_Digger Dec 2019 #148
YES Timewas Dec 2019 #90
Affordable is a word needed as well OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #151
Thank you for defending AA so well. As the child of an alcoholic who had stayed sober Atticus Dec 2019 #3
Agree...The Serenity Prayer" is simple, and easy to know and understand... Stuart G Dec 2019 #81
When a court requires you to enroll in a religious program, there is a problem jberryhill Dec 2019 #5
AA isn't a religious program ismnotwasm Dec 2019 #7
This message was self-deleted by its author Nature Man Dec 2019 #30
AA is absolutely a religious program. bitterross Dec 2019 #51
Similarly, failings of AA are like failings of religion. X_Digger Dec 2019 #67
Exactly! "You didn't work your program hard enough." bitterross Dec 2019 #158
Thank you for your post. SunSeeker Dec 2019 #83
No, it isn't ismnotwasm Dec 2019 #101
Awesome comment. Thank you OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #114
It's kind of a concept ismnotwasm Dec 2019 #130
Thank you! I have someone to share your story with. OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #143
Sounds like my son's group! LeftInTX Dec 2019 #164
I beg to differ and so do the courts. bitterross Dec 2019 #160
Good post... SidDithers Dec 2019 #117
Those last three paragraphs should be required reading Bradshaw3 Dec 2019 #155
Not familiar with court order laws OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #9
In general, the court orders H2O Man Dec 2019 #34
The whole history is interesting as is the structure ismnotwasm Dec 2019 #37
Very interesting. H2O Man Dec 2019 #49
Excellent addition. Thank you! OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #68
AA is the original CBT. Comatose Sphagetti Dec 2019 #99
Thank you! Found an interesting link. Anti-AA began around 1994 OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #71
"Stay in your lane." Igel Dec 2019 #95
😂😂😂"..there's no room for civil society..". Spit coffee laugh. You surprised me OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #98
That seems to be more of a problem with the judges then with AA itself. Kaleva Dec 2019 #13
and there are medical treatments like Naltrexone which are used in other countries dawg day Dec 2019 #19
Well said. Chantix is helping with smoking addiction OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #22
My wife, who rarely cries, could not stop crying when she was taking rzemanfl Dec 2019 #48
That is interesting. Some smoking-cessation treatment is the same as an antidepressant- dawg day Dec 2019 #57
Yes, I've heard of different reactions OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #61
My husband is an addict and alcoholic Bluesaph Dec 2019 #41
That's a beautiful testament. Thank you bluesaph. erronis Dec 2019 #66
AA teaches powerlessness over alcohol specifically Nature Man Dec 2019 #125
Yup. Knew a guy who failed rehab 2x, AA a few more times. Antabuse did the trick Arazi Dec 2019 #64
Those are good for crises. Igel Dec 2019 #96
When I was asked to sign the attendance slips for court, I hesitated irisblue Dec 2019 #38
Exactly. n/t X_Digger Dec 2019 #65
A friend of mine, sober for over 40 years, says majdrfrtim Dec 2019 #70
Good for him jberryhill Dec 2019 #100
I was under the distinct impression that AA PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2019 #6
We are all 100% in control. OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #16
Zealots prey on people's weaknesses Nature Man Dec 2019 #31
Yes they do. Some pray & prey OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #36
AA says "take what you want and leave the rest." rzemanfl Dec 2019 #17
This. Iggo Dec 2019 #27
Except when you get shamed and "love-bombed" Nature Man Dec 2019 #126
As I read thru this thread & your contributions, it is clear you despise AA. Can you at least... Hekate Dec 2019 #156
You are projecting Nature Man Dec 2019 #179
Not hardly Hekate Dec 2019 #180
So. Nature Man Dec 2019 #181
Speaking as one who has 2 family members (in other parts of the country) who are... SWBTATTReg Dec 2019 #203
Alcoholism runs on my mom's side of the family: her dad, one brother, one sister, is a fair sample. Hekate Dec 2019 #209
"...psychological, financial, and sexual predators..." Iggo Dec 2019 #176
AA is unique Nature Man Dec 2019 #178
You just described a shit-ton of support groups that are not AA. Iggo Dec 2019 #182
people in crisis are easy prey Nature Man Dec 2019 #183
sexual predators abound.... Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #191
AA is free LeftInTX Dec 2019 #161
Do you feel like you are an addict? Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #190
I have known atheists who AA helped. It's having support of others that seems to help. Hoyt Dec 2019 #10
Agree 100%. Thank you. Ppl have to do the work the OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #11
Yes. Spme atheists are helped by it but some are deeply opposed OregonBlue Dec 2019 #14
In the 1980s in Connecticut, 2nd DUI was 1 year in jail! OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #18
Success rate is very low. On the other hand, every success is a gift to be celebrated. OregonBlue Dec 2019 #197
Perhaps there's a third alternative OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #198
Sober 40 years. Thank God for AA. demosincebirth Dec 2019 #15
Thank you so much & SO Happy for you 👏❤️ OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #20
One of the traditions we have in AA is " we have no opinions demosincebirth Dec 2019 #177
Wonderful to hear Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #192
I've been to AA meetings and I'm an Atheist. The God shit didn't bother me. nt UniteFightBack Dec 2019 #23
Yes, If you want to quit.. McKim Dec 2019 #85
So happy for you! Thank you for commenting and giving hope to others OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #134
Some people rebel against the belief that it's the only way Orangepeel Dec 2019 #24
somebody FINALLY nailed it! stopdiggin Dec 2019 #72
Yes, people that AA has helped regain their lives from the tyranny of alcoholism are eager to share OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #82
If you quit on your own Nature Man Dec 2019 #118
Interesting. I take it you've had some bad experiences ismnotwasm Dec 2019 #142
Not so much a bad experience Nature Man Dec 2019 #144
AA has helped millions to stay clean/sober. My take on the higher power is that no one involved with jalan48 Dec 2019 #25
It's fueled by court systems mandating Phoenix61 Dec 2019 #26
Look around, "In God We Trust" is freaking everywhere. "Under god" rzemanfl Dec 2019 #40
AA began decades ago, long before court mandates. It's free to all OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #44
which does not excuse the court stopdiggin Dec 2019 #80
I'll defer to the comments in this stream written by sober AA atheists/agnostics proponents OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #105
Hanging out with sober people makes it easier to stay sober. Iggo Dec 2019 #28
It does. Good post. n/t rzemanfl Dec 2019 #43
Agnostic with 17+ years sober through AA. Comatose Sphagetti Dec 2019 #32
This is exactly right. tymorial Dec 2019 #35
That's me, with almost 30 years ismnotwasm Dec 2019 #39
Great story. Thank you. Merry Christmas 🎄 OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #109
+1. n/t rzemanfl Dec 2019 #42
May I add your comment at the beginning of the article? OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #46
Please do. Comatose Sphagetti Dec 2019 #76
Thank you ✨💕✨ OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #79
I strongly support AA and NA. tymorial Dec 2019 #33
AA forces you to admit you have no control over your addiction applegrove Dec 2019 #45
No no no. Good grief. Read comments above from those that AA has helped OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #47
You stopped reading at "forces", huh. Iggo Dec 2019 #54
Sober 30 years. One year in AA. Triloon Dec 2019 #50
The higher power can be nature or the spaghetti monster. Just so long applegrove Dec 2019 #56
AA can't force anyone to do anything. Kaleva Dec 2019 #52
But if someone is powerless, defeated, and incapable of anything until they do 90 in 90 Nature Man Dec 2019 #138
People tackle AA in all sorts of different ways. Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #193
There's this: An Atheist's Guide to 12-Step Recovery OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #59
That last sentence ... Geechie Dec 2019 #53
I agree 100%. No judgement, no pretense, no pressure OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #115
Is there a difference between those who drink too much and those who are physically addicted? Buckeyeblue Dec 2019 #55
Is there a difference between those who can't stop and those who can? Iggo Dec 2019 #62
I get there is a difference but are they lumped in the same category together? Buckeyeblue Dec 2019 #87
Nope. One's addicts and one ain't. Iggo Dec 2019 #93
The Big Book suggests going without drinking for 30 days to make that decision catrose Dec 2019 #166
The test: Is/are alcohol/drugs negatively affecting the quality of yours or others lives? OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #122
AA is more about the support from others. That's what helps. YOHABLO Dec 2019 #60
So it's like Weight Watchers meetings? nt SunSeeker Dec 2019 #86
Never been to a WW meeting. But people share their experiences. YOHABLO Dec 2019 #89
I got started in Overeaters Anonymous, then AA. Stuart G Dec 2019 #74
Thank you! Yes addiction kills & robs OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #163
Vodka sales must be down. MyNameGoesHere Dec 2019 #75
My two cents TlalocW Dec 2019 #92
"they convince you that you're lame, and then offer you a crutch."... SidDithers Dec 2019 #120
I prefer comments from recovered addicts quite frankly OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #201
+1000 smirkymonkey Dec 2019 #207
AA good program marieo1 Dec 2019 #97
Just eliminate the GOD bullshit, problem solved! nt USALiberal Dec 2019 #103
AA has one of the worst success rates of any rehab program Aquaria Dec 2019 #104
BINGO Nature Man Dec 2019 #119
Well said... SidDithers Dec 2019 #123
AA wrote in 1935 that there was a difference between heavy drinkers and alcohol use disorder ismnotwasm Dec 2019 #131
Let's hear from the addicts AA helps. People. OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #132
You're sounding like an evangelist decrying all the people prayer helped. X_Digger Dec 2019 #152
Thanks for the research and stats Bradshaw3 Dec 2019 #157
AA is 12 step program that requires adherence to its orthodoxy. YOHABLO Dec 2019 #165
I totally disagree with ..."a 12 step program that requires adherence to its orhodoxy" Stuart G Dec 2019 #169
FYI, there is Smart Recovery, which is not religious or spiritual TexasBushwhacker Dec 2019 #108
It's good that addicts have choices. OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #128
Cool! LeftInTX Dec 2019 #162
"The Small Book" is a good primer on the Smart Recovery principles TexasBushwhacker Dec 2019 #167
"Believe it if you need it... or leave it if you dare..." jcgoldie Dec 2019 #116
Rehab industry wouldn't exist without The Program Nature Man Dec 2019 #129
April 8, 1992 stillcool Dec 2019 #133
Fantastic. Merry Christmas 🎄 OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #154
Thank you. Your last sentence is the real kicker for me. Rehab is hellishly expensive. AA is free... Hekate Dec 2019 #139
There are prices to pay in life Nature Man Dec 2019 #140
A family member is more than 20 years sober with AA liberalguilt57 Dec 2019 #145
AA targets more than problem drinking; yortsed snacilbuper Dec 2019 #146
I can't recall any AAers who didn't accept all the medical help they could afford catrose Dec 2019 #168
I can't understand why it's being set up as AA vs. anything catrose Dec 2019 #170
I'm glad you're happy in AA. Arthur_Frain Dec 2019 #149
AA is OK Skittles Dec 2019 #150
we haven't had one of these threads in a while. Kali Dec 2019 #153
AA is a wonderful tool in an arsenal Dorian Gray Dec 2019 #185
Profiteers are stealing and trying to monetize the AA program live love laugh Dec 2019 #199
You are correct. $25k/month is a huge Greed incentive OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #200
My grandfather was a member back when it was still a "Fellowship" snpsmom Dec 2019 #202
I think there are people who are critical about most things.... Upthevibe Dec 2019 #204
It personally never worked out for me JonLP24 Dec 2019 #205
One modern addiction treatment/methodology is CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy.) Comatose Sphagetti Dec 2019 #206
Now sober for 30 years. A.A. was a terrific support group for me for 10+ years. SharonAnn Dec 2019 #208
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