Category Archives: AA

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.

 

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

Q-Buzz Trifecta Shows the World Just Ain’t Fair: Smith, Osbourne and Bush

Alcoholics in the News Today:

Music Review from UW Oshkosh’s AdvanceTitan.com: Out of the throes of addiction to alcohol and heroin, Elliott Smith produced heart-rendingly beautiful melodies and lyrics before committing suicide in 2003.

Memoir Review from The Week: Born-again Christian George Bush quit drinking in 1986 and went on to wage war against imaginary enemies in foreign lands resulting in very real tragedy – casualties include hundreds of thousands of human beings, global financial systems, and the Geneva Conventions.

Genome Mapped: Ozzy Osbourne, known as the “Prince of Darkness” during his Black Sabbath days, survived alcohol and drug abuse/addiction for over forty years apparently by virtue of an extraordinary genetic constitution. Despite his crass and rude behavior, he seems to actually be kind of a peach.

AP: Alcohol More Dangerous Than Heroin

According to a new study by Britain’s Center for Crime and Justice Studies finds that alcohol is more dangerous and lethal than illegal drugs including crack cocaine and heroine.

The study ranked the destructiveness of substances like cocaine, heroin, alcohol, ecstasy and marijuana according to factors such as addictiveness, damage to the human body and to families, and economic and environmental costs.

Alcohol More Dangerous Than Heroin, Study Finds, by The Associated Press