Side effects of AA

[Unwasted]

Side effects of AA

Be sober because you love being sober and because drinking causes pain

SC, this quote by you is at the heart of Vale's book. Greg, if you choose between the two books I would recommend Vale's. I read and liked them both, but Vale's is much more powerful and timely - Carr's is a bit dated now.

[spacebebe01]

Side effects of AA

I havent posted yet on this thread because for years I felt screwed up the the whole argument that seems to go with AA, and I was one of the ones doing the one arguing. Where I life there is only AA for f2f meetings. Now I have my own way of being sober that has nothing to do with the AA program but I do attend AA once a week because I lke to meet up with other friendly sober people so I go have a little chat, have a cup of tea, have a doze and then have another chat and leave. Its actually a relaxing excape from my everyday life and I quite like it.

[Supercrew]

Side effects of AA

spacebebe01;1230070 wrote: I havent posted yet on this thread because for years I felt screwed up the the whole argument that seems to go with AA, and I was one of the ones doing the one arguing. Where I life there is only AA for f2f meetings. Now I have my own way of being sober that has nothing to do with the AA program but I do attend AA once a week because I lke to meet up with other friendly sober people so I go have a little chat, have a cup of tea, have a doze and then have another chat and leave. Its actually a relaxing excape from my everyday life and I quite like it.

Honestly spacebebe I think AA serves a purpose for many. When I did my year of meetings I met some good people who were very helpful. I try not to bash the program because I know alot of people use it and it does help alot of people...I just couldn't find my solution there. I can see where face to face support with people who are similar to myself is very helpful, but I don't agree with the whole message so I decided to use the internet for that anonymous support where I can have more control over the information I am being fed without the fear of really causing a firestorm in person if I don't agree. To each their own, if it works go with it!

[cpn1004]

Side effects of AA

Wow, interesting posts. I was one of the most anti-AA people around here. Now I have over 2 years sobriety, thanks to AA. I could not do it alone.
I travel for business and have attended AA meetings in Las Vegas, NYC, Florida, KS, MN, CA, etc. I've been to Gay and Lesbian AA meetings, Gay Men Only meetings, all sorts of meetings. Some meetings are better than others, no doubt. But the message has always been the same. "Don't drink today and come back tomorrow". Some of you may have had a bad experience with AA. Maybe AA is not for you. If you want to get sober, hopefully you will find your way out.

[Otter]

Side effects of AA

For newbies who weren't here and for the old timers who remember, here is the AA side effects thread.

Here is the Orange paper site with the facts AA don't want you to hear: A.A. Secrets

[Hippyman]

Side effects of AA

Otter;1467389 wrote: For newbies who weren't here and for the old timers who remember, here is the AA side effects thread.

Here is the Orange paper site with the facts AA don't want you to hear: A.A. Secrets

What the Orange papers states has been my experience. Success rates are low! My mother was an Ala~Teen group leader and I was forced into AA around age 12. I am now 60 years old. I've been in and out of AA all my adult life. I have not had the experience of AA working to help most people get and stay sober. I saw a select few who did help. The ones that I met who did stay sober were (OVER THE MOON) into AA. They had no other life. They ate, sleep and drank AA. It kinda looked to me like they switched addictions and now they were consumed by AA. The one thing that AA did offer me was a place to go where others understood what it was like to be an alcoholic. That was the one thing I did like about the whole thing. What I didn't like was that some meetings had a cult type feeling. I felt like they were trying to brain wash me into believing I can not stay sober without them. WRONG! I am happily sober and will stay that way! Other meetings were better and some seemed to genuinely care. In any case I'm 100% for doing whatever works and baclofen works for me! THANK GOD!

[madmans]

Side effects of AA

When I see all these stats about success rates of one way our another I often wonder is there any way that has a high percentage of success, I didn't go to AA but I'm sure I read some where that the chance of me relapsing is high over the course of my life, I'd love to hear of way that could give a higher % rate out look, as far as I can see what works for one person is different for another.
Or is it a case we are all doomed in the long run?

[YouKayBee]

Side effects of AA

The stats for recovery for anyone from alcoholism is something like 1-5%. For those who go off and seek a course of residential treatment the figures are roughly 1/3.

1/3 will stay abstenant
1/3 will relapse and regain abstenance
1/3 will continue and die

AA has a lot of failings, but a few amazing successes. It wasn't for me however I did pick up a lot of wisdom from the groups I attended, there were negative experiences and plenty of things I don't agree with but I still say there's a lot of wisdom in a lot of what is said at AA. Since killing my cravings via TSM I've been going through a journey of mental, personal and emotional recovery exploring myself, questioning myself and growing. Every so often I think, hmm that is a bit like some of the 12 steps. There is something in it, and it's all we had at some point and I sometimes see old AA friends in the street, we often say "Hi" and have a smile for each other.

[Otter]

Side effects of AA

madmans;1467444 wrote: When I see all these stats about success rates of one way our another I often wonder is there any way that has a high percentage of success, I didn't go to AA but I'm sure I read some where that the chance of me relapsing is high over the course of my life, I'd love to hear of way that could give a higher % rate out look, as far as I can see what works for one person is different for another.
Or is it a case we are all doomed in the long run?

The studies on baclofen are suggesting a success rate of over 80%. Bear in mind this drug was discovered/invented in 1923 and only last year we had the first comprehensive guide on how to use it. The guide recommends using other drugs as well and that people change their attitude towards alcoholism.

I think it has to be seen as step one. The big difference is this is a treatment which actually does change the brain, allows it to recover and restores it to good health. You cannot compare it to any other previous treatment, first of all. Then, one has to look at finding other medicines for individuals who may need something on top, like mirtazapine. Then one hopes that as it becomes accepted as a treatment it will be supported by hospitals and doctors who will help rather than shun alcoholics. Then one hopes that there will be more research as is being done by Seaside Theraputics and Roche who are developing a much more powerful version called Arbaclofen, which might be effective in alcoholism as well as autism.

All in all, I think there is a lot to be optimistic about. And, maybe AA might join in at some point and realize that listening, supporting and counselling are not necessarily an alternative to medical treatment but a supplement to it.

[Hippyman]

Side effects of AA

Otter;1467872 wrote: The studies on baclofen are suggesting a success rate of over 80%. Bear in mind this drug was discovered/invented in 1923 and only last year we had the first comprehensive guide on how to use it. The guide recommends using other drugs as well and that people change their attitude towards alcoholism.

I think it has to be seen as step one. The big difference is this is a treatment which actually does change the brain, allows it to recover and restores it to good health. You cannot compare it to any other previous treatment, first of all. Then, one has to look at finding other medicines for individuals who may need something on top, like mirtazapine. Then one hopes that as it becomes accepted as a treatment it will be supported by hospitals and doctors who will help rather than shun alcoholics. Then one hopes that there will be more research as is being done by Seaside Theraputics and Roche who are developing a much more powerful version called Arbaclofen, which might be effective in alcoholism as well as autism.

All in all, I think there is a lot to be optimistic about. And, maybe AA might join in at some point and realize that listening, supporting and counselling are not necessarily an alternative to medical treatment but a supplement to it.

Wouldn't it be great if AA would actually jump on the Baclofen bandwagon! Can you just imagine how many lives would be saved!!!

[madmans]

Side effects of AA

I know a lot of people believe that taking a drug to stop drinking is not the way to go but I wouldn't think twice about taking one to get sober or help me stay sober, now that I am sober its up to me to keep it that way but no one knows what tomorrow brings.
when I first joined I did read a lot on the meds section but not so much in this last year, has any one started trials of Bac yet? I think I read the French were at one time.
If bac has been around since the 20s I assume there is no profit to be made by a drug company in proving that it works for alcoholism and if they can't make a profit they won't fund trials.
Too many people and Doctors see alcoholism as self inflicted and not as a disease and I believe if they really wanted and put in as much effort into this as they do to other large scale diseases that kill a cure would have been found long ago.
Hopefully what Otter is talking about will become the norm for people that need it.

[Otter]

Side effects of AA

The studies are ongoing in the US and France. A couple of years should see a big difference.

[Daevid]

Side effects of AA

I'm on baclofen now. I was dry through AA for 11 years but now I find I can no longer subscribe to a monolithic theocracy like AA. But hey, whatever it takes, I commend those who take that path. However, AA does not have the monopoly on sobriety. There is mounting evidence to indicate that "alcoholism" is a set of behaviours that have a biochemical cause. I believe that this is so in my case and I find Dr OA's research compelling and inspiring.