Category Archives: alternative recovery

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 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

Study: Housing Helps Homeless Alcoholics Drink Less

The 1811 Eastlake apartment building in Seattle

The 1811 Eastlake apartment building in Seattle houses homeless alcoholics without requiring them to stop drinking.

Fairly obvious study, although the important distinction is that the study looked at programs that did not require alcoholics to completely stop drinking in order to stay in the shelter.

After two years, “everyday” drinking was cut by about 50%. Impressive.

Alcoholics Anonymous doesn’t work for everyone — and that’s OK

For those of you interested in the Dr. Drew/Lindsay Lohan dust-up, and the larger question it opens up re AA’s status as the government-mandated treatment program of choice. Just to pre-empt an often true, but ultimately nonproductive line of reasoning, let’s try to move beyond the simplistic “if it doesn’t work, you’re not doing it right” tautology. Comments?

read the article

LA Times, Opinion
July 30, 2010
Amy Lee Coy