AA Didn't Fit, Sobriety Did

Does Everyone Need AA to Get Sober?

Almost anyone who has been in AA for a long time knows that some longterm sober members (usually beyond 10 years) stop attending meetings and yet maintain a sober lifestyle while no longer consider themselves part of Alcoholics Anonymous. In Agnostic and Free Thinkers meetings you often find longterm members who still consider themselves part of AA (or not), attend meetings infrequently and do not participate in program features such as sponsorship or step work.

On the other hand, sometimes the zealous, blind faith in the full AA program is just what a suffering alcoholic needs at the start of recovery just to keep them on the straight and narrow path.

For myself at ten years in I still feel like I want to go to (agnostic) meetings every other week. For me living and loving a sober lifestyle is basically my program.

AA Didn't Fit, Sobriety Did

AA Didn’t Fit, Sobriety Did

One size does not fit all.

Here’s another voice with an alternative path to recovery:

AA Didn’t Fit, Sobriety Did

By Liz Melchor , The Fix 07/26/17

 

New York Inter-Group Meeting Directory Redesign Makes Finding Meetings Easier

Thanks for the heads-up from Ed W., founder of several NYC meetings including This Ungodly Hour among others. Ed tells us:

New York Inter-Group has improved it website meeting directory for the NYC Metro Area A.A. meetings:

Click here:
http://meetings.nyintergroup.org/

This is now easier to use on a mobile device, and provides a map option on the desktop version.

This should make it easier to find NYC meetings.

Just passing along… Enjoy!

Thanks, Ed!

This screen capture shows how easy it is to find NYC meetings near your current or planned location using the map feature.

This screen capture shows how easy it is to find NYC meetings near your current or planned location using the map feature.

New Approved AA Literature: Many Paths to Spirituality

The Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Organization has released a new pamphlet addressing the needs of alcoholics who may have trouble with the concept of a higher power, but want to be part of AA and who seek to benefit from the strengths of the program as they strive to achieve recovery.

Kudos to the GSO!

Download (PDF, Unknown)

Note: The embedded document is Copyright © 2014 Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. 475 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10115.

 

Heavy Alcohol Use Harms the Teen Brain

Teen Drinking Causes Irreparable Brain Damage

Teen Drinking Causes Irreparable Brain Damage, photo by Munchkin Management

Yet another study finds that consumption of alcohol can damage the brain as it matures, leaving permanent damage.  Unfortunately it’s just a Scientific American preview. I wish they’d get their heads out of their asses over their and figure out the whole new media thing. Plus a slew of other articles and resource links.

Articles

Resources for Teen Drinking

Drinking Gets Old

Past age 65, binge drinking, defined as four or more drinks in one sitting, may have permanent consequences on the human brain, including memory loss and accelerated cognitive decline, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, as reported in Bloomberg News, article here.

Although this study does not contradict previous and oft-reported studies that indicate moderate amounts of alcohol can slow such declines, perhaps those more popular reports should be reevaluated not just because of this excellent New Yorker article on the questionable replicability of scientific research, but because of the potential for favorable bias that researchers on this subject might possess. In other words: Denial aint just a river in Egypt.

I have always said (at least for the past five years) that intoxication, while sometimes excusable and on occasion even charming in youth, becomes less and less attractive as one gets older.

AA: Only by Changing and Growing Can You Help More Suffering Alcoholics

Code of HammurabiI am constantly frustrated by the compulsion on the part of AA members and groups to apply one single truth to all situations. The current calcification of AA culture into one of narrow Christian recovery dogma alienates and hurts many of exactly those for whom the program is intended. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with “Atlantic” type and “step-nazi” groups, except when they foster a culture that alienates and turns away those who need help. I wish the traditions included a declaration of gentle welcome for all new members and guests, as well as for members seeking help for similar and/or related addictions. I have often seen people make comments out of turn in meetings to clarify to a newcomer that the meeting is for alcoholics only, as described in the following article. It really puzzles me, particularly as the face of addiction has changed so much in the past twenty years. My meeting has a few atheists, a few addicts and even a person who comes each week in support of their partner. We are a strong, supportive group. We let people voice their opinions without responding or cross-talking. There are no prayers .The only requirement for membership is a desire to quit drinking. It works.

Nice article from the Washington Post by Chelsea Carmona: How AA fails to support young addicts