AA meeting gone wrong???

[lucky 2.0]

AA meeting gone wrong???

Shitzu,

Do you remember when I told you to stay home with your shitzu and avoid AA mtgs????

[Guest]

AA meeting gone wrong???

I think your friend is the problem not the AA meeting in this situation. He's an ass, at least you went.

[nancy]

AA meeting gone wrong???

AA blues

I know AA helps some people but it isn't for me. I liked the books, thought it was good to go a meeting regularly to focus myself on my task... but i didn't like anything else. i didn't like the dogmatic views, i didn't like being pressured by well meaning members to share my cell phone numbers. i remember once i was going on holiday with a friend and i got a call from an AA member asking me if i was going to a meeting that night!

After a month or so, i felt subtle pressure to speak and i was not willing to label myself orally as an alcoholic. it's probably one of the least anonymous groups you can join. furthermore, i don't want to spend hours before during and after a meeting discussing my problem. I also think there is more to life than that.

[dayzee]

AA meeting gone wrong???

omg- i just wrote a nice reply and lost it! ugh

anyway- youre experience with AA wasn't typical. My sister went to AA for years and I went to anniversaries and when she spoke. I was never expected to share. They went around the room and introduced- I would say hi im G and am an alchohlic but thats it. You dont even have to do that- when they share- i just said pass. they never gave me crap about it.
Your friend should have let you get comfortable first- he was out of bounds!!
Dont judge AA from that experience though- it does help tons of people.
I think old timers have some kind of smug pride sometimes and it comes accross wrong.
I always felt that AA members were very lighthearted.......

[lucky 2.0]

AA meeting gone wrong???

My good friend was going through chemo for severe cancer- stage 3. Her mother flew out to be with her. But, it was more important for her, the mother, to find a new AA mtg. She met a new friend and went to the movies with her new AA friend instead of being bedside with her daughter during crisis time. AA taught her it was all about her, she was #1, and an anonymous fellow AA'er was more important than her daughter. AA teaches to be extremely selfish. I detest it.

And that is not even to mention the entire lifetime disease model!!! Sooo wrong!

[IAD]

AA meeting gone wrong???

Shitzu Lover,

I still feal that AA is some kind of a Faternity. If you don"t fit in your an outsider. I do have friends in AA & they love it. I just can't fit in , I'm not coming to AA for Bar-be-ques, Parties or Get togethers. Espically with people I don't know. ( espically conviicts )...IAD

[giles123]

AA meeting gone wrong???

a balance between AA and a more comfortable environment ?

I've written of my experience before of AA and how I felt it really wasn't for me. However the one good thing that I have found when I think about it is that you can't be drinking in an AA meeting... Unlike the support mechanisms that you have access to through this site. For examply I have been in the chat room here when other members within the room have said that they are drinking right there and then... As an alcoholic it certainly doesn't help me knowing that the person that I'm chatting to and trying to provide or get support from is actually sitting there getting pi$$ed!!!

I guess that's the balance I'm trying to find though - somewhere where I can feel comfortable and be myself whilst talking to other alcoholics but knowing that they are sober and are having to experience the same emotions when talking about the problems with a clear head.

Don't get me wrong though, this is a great site and I identify with a lot of what is being written in the forums etc.. It's just that sometime you get the feeling that some of those messages in the forums are being written by people who are actually drunk at the time.. I think the first step to control drinking is to be clear headed and sober when thinking and talking about problems.

Giles

[Guest]

AA meeting gone wrong???

I think its a pity if mwo turns into an anti AA cult.

Just look at this forum. There are people who take meds.. those who dont take meds.. those who focus on spiritual growth.. those who focus on fitness.. those who are mods, and those who are abs. We are a motley crew indeed and one thing that is quite common is that people knock AA in terms of it didnt work for them, when the reality is its only the individual themselves that can stop themselves from drinking. As drinkers of whatever name we choose to give ourselves, we blame EVERYONE before we realise we actually bear the blame ourselves. At the point of trying to dig ourselves out of our self dug hole, I think there needs to be a range of options available for individuals to choose from.

There are nice people and horrid people everywhere.. in AA, MWO,.. indeed in life.

Its my wish that in deciding what to do for their health and sobriety people find what they need to turn their lives around.

And David/Giles?, I agree with what you have said above. while it can be argued that the banter (shall we call it that) is supportive and part of community forming... for me, I got to a place where I got deadly serious about my sobriety. When I came here (to mwo) that was my total focus. I did find that the long term abs bit helped cos its pretty sober in there.. and also the monthly abs. I suppose, just like with AA, we need to find the parts of the program which suit US.

Brigid

[giles123]

AA meeting gone wrong???

Brigid - I agree 100%. Thankyou.

[Hawk]

AA meeting gone wrong???

Brigid and David - You both make excellent points. And I agree with you. I know that AA has really helped many people - a lot of whom I know. For me, it isn't the answer. My previous response was left after a heated discussion with my mother who is very into AA. It works for her and I am happy. I just don't like the group that tries to ram it down my throat. I do think its a helpful organziation and you do need to find the right group and balanace. But if its not your thing, its not your thing! I am grateful that it is available to help people get on the path though!

[bestlifeldms]

AA meeting gone wrong???

I don't agree with the AA concept, the "I am powerless" concept, or the disease concept. Personal opinion. If you are interested in a group atmosphere for an initial period of time, one suggestion might be to check out the "rational recovery group meetings" in your area. Put this behind you. I checked out the AA thing years ago. All I can say is, it definately wasn't for me either. Keep looking, you will find "your truth".:h

Hugs, :l

Best

[gabby]

AA meeting gone wrong???

Brigid,
I just ALWAYS love your posts. Sure am glad your hangin around here!!!!

[gabby]

AA meeting gone wrong???

And David.....I absoulty agree with you too!

[gabby]

AA meeting gone wrong???

Truth is......I just love you Aussies! :l

[sammys]

AA meeting gone wrong???

I went once and it was not good. The place was a dump and its the headquarters in town. I think it works for alot of people but it was not for me at least right now its not

Sammys