Reggie,
I suspect that most people read various threads on MWO before they work up the courage to post somewhere. There are threads that support moderation and others that support abstinence. If a person chooses to post in the Newbies Nest, I think they likely are aware of the general consensus there.
When a person seems ambivalent about whether they want to commit to being AF, either in the NN or in a personal thread, the suggestion generally is made to give it 30 days and see how they feel. All recovery and harm reduction programs that I'm familiar with, not just AA, suggest something like that as a good starting point. An alternative I've heard of (and have suggested on a couple occasions) is to have exactly one drink each day for 30 days and see how that works. If either of those is no problem, the person likely can be a moderate drinker if they so choose.
You mentioned my pet topic, added sugar. AA actually encourages sugar consumption as a substitute for alcohol, which I think is a mistake. I think the population as a whole, and addicts in particular, would do well to reduce their added sugar intake as a means to improve their long-term health and for addicts, to dampen the addictive process. That by no means is the consensus view in the NN or on MWO.
Most people who are struggling with anything need a consistent message, especially at the beginning. A great addition to MWO would be a strong, active thread led by successful moderators who could offer guidance to new people who want to follow that path. I don't read the moderation threads much but do not notice them pop up in the "new posts" list very often and so assume they are not very active.
I don't think it is fair to equate a philosophy borne of personal experience and observation as fanaticism.
Most people who post in the NN and some other abstinence-focused threads have tried and failed at moderation. The enthusiasm in the NN for an AF life and the support offered for achieving it look like a lifeline to a person who is so scared because they have been unable to quit drinking on their own. At least, that is how it appeared to me. I didn't see fanatics, I saw people who had what I wanted - lives that were not limited and controlled by an addiction.
I hope I haven't misunderstood the point you are making. If you think alternative options should be available to newcomers, I hope you make a "home" that offers encouragement and support for people interested in pursuing those options.
We do all need to find our own ways out and hopefully each end up at the point we want to be. All the best, NS
I suspect that most people read various threads on MWO before they work up the courage to post somewhere. There are threads that support moderation and others that support abstinence. If a person chooses to post in the Newbies Nest, I think they likely are aware of the general consensus there.
When a person seems ambivalent about whether they want to commit to being AF, either in the NN or in a personal thread, the suggestion generally is made to give it 30 days and see how they feel. All recovery and harm reduction programs that I'm familiar with, not just AA, suggest something like that as a good starting point. An alternative I've heard of (and have suggested on a couple occasions) is to have exactly one drink each day for 30 days and see how that works. If either of those is no problem, the person likely can be a moderate drinker if they so choose.
You mentioned my pet topic, added sugar. AA actually encourages sugar consumption as a substitute for alcohol, which I think is a mistake. I think the population as a whole, and addicts in particular, would do well to reduce their added sugar intake as a means to improve their long-term health and for addicts, to dampen the addictive process. That by no means is the consensus view in the NN or on MWO.
Most people who are struggling with anything need a consistent message, especially at the beginning. A great addition to MWO would be a strong, active thread led by successful moderators who could offer guidance to new people who want to follow that path. I don't read the moderation threads much but do not notice them pop up in the "new posts" list very often and so assume they are not very active.
I don't think it is fair to equate a philosophy borne of personal experience and observation as fanaticism.
Fanaticism is a belief or behavior involving uncritical zeal or with an obsessive enthusiasm for a pastime or hobby.
I hope I haven't misunderstood the point you are making. If you think alternative options should be available to newcomers, I hope you make a "home" that offers encouragement and support for people interested in pursuing those options.
We do all need to find our own ways out and hopefully each end up at the point we want to be. All the best, NS
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