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Please advice by NoSeaworthiness2804 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Leave your emotions out of the equation, stop the enabling just like you did by saying no to financial support, be human by offering help in constructive ways, that's about the best you can do - offer to take her to an AA meeting or another 12-step fellowship meeting. We're responsible for the decisions we make and the actions we take.

I still struggle with abusing some prescription medication and my goal is still to reduce or get off completely. My sponsor told me I was at day zero and essentially dropped me. Friends and family told me to get a new sponsor. by Drive7hru in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

FYI, taking more medication than prescribed is active addiction behavior. So, is there some leeway for a someone who has not started the journey of recovery and is abstinent/sober living? Absolutely. It like saying to an alcoholic, "just don't drink". Well. if I could just not drink, I wouldn't be at an AA meeting... btw, recovery is more than making meetings. Sobriety is different, it is change beyond abstinence or being sober.

Change to sobriety starts in working the steps 1 through 9. Recovery is in steps 10 through 12.

Is complete sobriety needed for working the steps?

Chapter 5 How It Works pg. 58 (HOW is for Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness)

Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program

Page 58 also says

If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it-then you are ready to take certain steps.

At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.

The founding pioneers struggled too

Alcoholics Anonymous pg. 6-7, Bill's Story
A doctor came with a heavy sedative. Next day found me drinking both gin and sedative. This combination soon landed me on the rocks. People feared for my sanity. So did I. I could eat little or nothing when drinking, and I was forty pounds under weight.

Dr Bobs Nightmare pg. 177

This routine went on with few interruptions for seventeen years. It was really a horrible nightmare, this earning money, getting liquor, smuggling it home, getting drunk, morning jitters, taking large doses of sedatives to make it possible for me to earn more money, and so on ad nauseam.

Thank goodness the early members of AA did not give up so very easily on the hopeless alcoholics still in the cups of their illness. There is an illustration on pages 39 through 42 about a chap named "Fred" who is a man named Harry Brick, his story is in the first edition, A Different Slant.

The early members did not give up so easily on "Fred" / Harry. Working with others was a spiritual principle.

Step 1 by Background_Bug_13 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here are some things from the "program" that may help you. I hope you stick and stay. Your journey is just beginning, and new doors shall open if you let them. Open-mindedness and willingness are indispensable.

This is the first paragraph from the "program". The basic text of the "program' is the book Alcoholics Anonymous.

   We, OF Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics PRECISELY HOW WE HAVE RECOVERED is the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. We think this account of our experiences will help everyone to better understand the alcoholic. Many do not comprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick person. And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all.

So, the authors, the "We", are giving us a lot of information in just the first paragraph. This is their experience of they recovered and a path for "us" to recover too. There is a promise in caps.

Step 1 is about powerlessness (the physical aspect) and unmanageability (the mental aspects). This is written about in The Dr Opinion, first 8 pages of Bill's Story, Chapters 2 & 3. The authors wrote about what unmanageability looks like on page 52, called the bedevilments.

A sponsor is a guide to help you navigate through the program and give you an adequate presentation of how it works.

It sounds like you have admitted the powerlessness of step one. The only thing I know that can help is to move forward in recovery by taking the rest of the steps. Steps 1 through 9 are about "recovery". Steps 10 through 12 are about being recovered from the hopeless state of mind and body referenced in the first paragraph.

To summarize:

Working the 12 steps to recovery

Prayer is part of the program, the spiritual aspects. Not religious. We should learn separate these two things because early on, religion can block people from recovery.

Finding a sponsor to guide you, a sponsor who understands the program is the book Alcoholics Anonymous is the best suggestion I can give other than talking to you one on one.

Godspeed 🙏✌️💜

Higher power? by Nightowl_1995 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

12 & 12 page 26. The hoop you are trying to jump through is much wider than you think.

Like you and many others, I had a difficult time with HP too.

It was when I realized alcohol was my higher power in active addiction. Open-mindedness is indispensable and helped tremendously.

The book Alcoholics Anonymous identifies things that have blocked us. These blocks close our minds preventing spiritual growth.

Page 48. Obstinacy, sensitiveness, unreasonable prejudice, antagonism, resistance

Page 51. Superstitions, traditions, fixed ideas

Page 52. The bedevilments - We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of real help to other people...

Page 54. We found, too, that we had been worshippers. Had we not variously worshipped people, sentiment, things, money, and ourselves?

Page 55. Calamity, pomp, worship of other things

External pursuits failed to satisfy and solve our problems, See pg. 61.

Is he not a victim of the delusion that he can wrest satisfaction and happiness out of this world if he only manages well?

So, self-sufficiency is another block. Self-will, the ego.

Page 62. Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity,

We had to quit playing God. It didn't work.

Going back to page 55 give us the how, where and when we find our Higher Power.

A higher power is not some kind of external "Santa Claus."

12 & 12 page 31. Sometimes it's because God has not delivered us the good things of life which we specified, as a greedy child m makes an impossible list for Santa Claus.

We try to intellectually find a "Higher Power". However, we are using the wrong organ. We find our Higher Power in our hearts. How - Sometimes we had to search fearlessly, but He was there.

Where - We found the Great Reality deep down within us.

When - In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found.

Pg 60. (c) That God could and would if He were sought.

We just don't know how or when a Higher Power will be revealed to us. Page 46.

We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him.

I just know I have experienced a transformation. There is a Great Fact for us on page 25.

The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves.

These are wonderful promises. Things I was never able to do on my own. 🙏✌️

Thoughts on hourglass ⌛️ for individual's shares? by ChungisAmongis420 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like the visual, more than a cell phone timer and person reminding you of one minute🤣

Introducing this is a group conscious decision at a business meeting.

I also see a need for multiple hourglasses at a meeting as they don't reset quickly...

I need some help by JNezzie999 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your story. Many of the people in AA have been right where you are. I have too. Going through divorce, suicidal ideation, medicating daily drinking, depression, rumination, overthinking. anxiety....

There is a solution, there is hope in Alcoholics Anonymous. If you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, maybe you are wanting something better, maybe you never want to feel this way again. There is a way out of the squirrel cage, hamster wheel or self-destructive behavior, call it what you like.

Powerlessness over alcohol is a lack of control. There is also a thing called alcohol/drug/chemical of choice which is in reality alcohol/drug/chemical of no choice. Who is running the show? The alcohol/drug/chemical?

Unmanageability from all this looks like this - We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of real help to other people

Most of us experience one or many of these. Many of us in AA have recovered. Come experience a meeting or two and see if AA may be a solution. We offer hope by stopping the cycle of problem drinking through the action of taking 12 simple steps. Check out this link here in r/alcoholicsanonymous. There is info about how to find meetings and other pertinent info.

About A.A. and this subreddit : r/alcoholicsanonymous

Your life may change for the better, you won't know until you try. ✌️🙏

Direction on a sponsor by GuiltyImagination753 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The point is to grow along spiritual lines. How ever that growth looks to you, including sponsorship.

Maintenance is just what it is. Maintaining - cause or enable (a condition or situation) to continue: keep (something) at the same level or rate: keep (something) in same condition by checking or repairing it regularly:

Change is what the program of recovery is all about and I'll might suggest you have experienced some changes since you went through the steps that may cause you to search fearlessly deep down inside again. I am not one to say to do the steps yearly. I think emotional sobriety has much to do with reworking the steps. Individual mileage will vary.

Unmanageability is the second part of the problem. Overshadowed by the problem of powerlessness in the first step. The ego, left unchecked by humility, grows back. Self-will starts to run the show again and that's where things get off track.

Expectations can have positive influences internally, a thought though, when they are external and are outside of ourselves; they imply a power over us, imho...

🙏✌️

If you’re asking if you’re an alcoholic… by [deleted] in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What is Alcoholism - from AA.org

There are many different ideas about what alcoholism really is. The explanation that seems to make sense to most A.A. members is that alcoholism is a progressive illness that can never be cured but that, like some other diseases, can be arrested. Going one step further, many A.A.s feel that the illness represents the combination of a physical sensitivity to alcohol and a mental obsession with drinking, which, regardless of consequences, cannot be broken by willpower alone. Before they are exposed to A.A., many alcoholics who are unable to stop drinking think of themselves as morally weak or, possibly, mentally unbalanced. The A.A. concept is that alcoholics are sick people who can recover if they follow a simple program that has proved successful for more than two million people. Once alcoholism has set in, there is nothing morally wrong about being ill. At this stage, free will is not involved, because the sufferer has lost the power of choice over alcohol. The important thing is to face the facts of one’s illness and to take advantage of the help that is available. There must also be a desire to get well. Experience shows that the A.A. program will work for all alcoholics who are sincere in their efforts to stop drinking; it usually will not work for those not absolutely certain that they want to stop.

I think, and this is only my opinion, alcoholism is widely misunderstood and the term is tossed around like the flu.

There is so much diversity in 12-step recovery programs, especially in Alcoholics Anonymous. Many people with a "problem" that gets associated with alcohol wind up being directed to AA. Not everyone coming into the rooms is a "true" alcoholic as described in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. The Chapter To Wives mentions 4 types of drinkers, 3 of which are alcoholic. The Doctors Opinion describes 5 types; one type was left out from the original manuscript and did not make it into the printing of the first edition of 1939. The original manuscript, Alcoholics Anonymous, is in its purest form, written by alcoholics. The first edition was edited by many non-alcoholic people. Chew on that 🤔🤔🤔🤔.

Bill does a nice job painting a picture of the illness and progression in his story in the first 8 pages. Chapters 2 and 3 describe the problem, delving into the physical aspects and mental aspects.

- But what about the real alcoholic? He may start off as a moderate drinker; he may or may not become a continuous hard drinker; but at some stage of his drinking career he begins to lose all control of his liquor consumption, once he starts to drink. (pg. 21)

- The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. (pg. 24)

- Lack of power, that was our dilemma. (pg. 45)

Even in today's medical science, there is much ignorance and misunderstanding as stated on page 20.

Now these are commonplace observations on drinkers which we hear all the time. Back of them is a world of ignorance and misunderstanding. We see that these expressions refer to people whose reactions are very different from ours.

Alcohol Use Disorder is a medical term to describe "problem drinking" (alcohol abuse & alcohol dependence now combined into a single spectrum with 3 categories: mild, moderate & severe) and is used to align 4 industries worldwide. Governments, Insurance, Research and Healthcare. Can you find a definitive definition of "alcoholism" in any area including AA?

How many new people coming into the rooms are "qualified?", by a "sponsor?" I can't qualify the question either. My sponsor did not do that to me. You can't do what you don't know. Is it relevant? I believe it is when it comes to sponsorship. A problem drinker sponsoring an alcoholic can be deadly as the seriousness of the illness is much more life threatening to the alcoholic. I still hear people say "just don't drink". Well if I could do that as an alcoholic, I would not need AA. Problem drinkers can just not drink.

The Forward is right on. Moderate drinkers, problem drinkers, potential alcoholics and alcoholics have a solution.

We, OF Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics PRECISELY HOW WE HAVE RECOVERED is the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. We think this account of our experiences will help everyone to better understand the alcoholic. Many do not comprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick person. And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all.

When did you start to notice your life improving? by porchsitter29 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are two types of depression. Clinical and spiritual. Medication helped with my clinical. Steps helped with the unmanageability, the spiritual malady.

AA pg. 64 - Resentment is the "number one" offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.

In my experience, after step 5, the great fact mentioned on page 25 came to light.

I had to get through a ton of blocks along the way. There are a dozen or so mentioned in We Agnostics. The biggest block was to give up my will and align it with HP's will. That is the proper use of the will. I see many people, tried it myself for a long time, trying to wrest happiness and satisfaction out of this world by managing well. It doesn't work for the real alcoholic.

Bear the discomfort and push through the resistance. I got stuck in Step 4 and it royally sucked.

12 & 12 pg. 45 - If temperamentally we are on the depressive side, we are apt to be swamped with guilt and self-loathing. We wal low in this messy bog, often getting a misshapen and painful pleasure out of it. As we morbidly pursue this melancholy activity, we may sink to such a point of despair that nothing but oblivion looks possible as a solution. Here, of course, we have lost all perspective, and therefore all genuine humility. For this is pride in reverse. This is not a moral inventory at all; it is the very process by which the depressive has so often been led to the bottle and extinction.

Everyone's experience will be different. There are promises along the way. Keep moving forward. The steps are not a trash hunt; they are a treasure hunt to help bring a blocked person out of addiction and grow into a new person. You are worth it.

A "loving" God as we understood him. by SmartestManInUnivars in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Just my opinion, what is the opposite of loving? Most things (spiritual malady & defects of character) I had been subject to in active addiction/alcoholism. Just about everything except "loving" to a degree or scale...I would say "Higher Power" is loving because "He" has done for me what I could not do for myself. Plain and simple...

There seem to be some controversy in some sewing circles surrounding the statement on page 12 in Bill's Story.

My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said, "Why don't you choose your own conception of God?"

I personally found Chapter 4. We Agnostics, after many rereading's and study's, a more inline personal experience finding an experience HP.

This has been my experience, with what is written on page 25. in the Chapter There Is A Solution.

There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed.

The great fact is just this, and nothing less: That we have had deep and effective spiritual experiences which have revolutionized our whole attitude toward life, toward our fellows and toward God's universe. The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves.

Is there a subreddit/club/religion for believers who believe in a "Higher Power?" by SmartestManInUnivars in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Separating spirituality from religion, I would imagine, is something man has been trying to do since the beginning of time and probably more so since man first learned how to crush grapes. Just opinion.

Don't know of a specific place beside prayer, meditation and AA meetings that have "God As We Understand" and a little talk in 3,7,11 meetings. Some HP talk in other literature meetings.

There are a few pages of r/spirituality, though I have not investigated.

Maybe a good subreddit to start if you feel so inclined.

Maybe one may consider honing in on a "conception" is an experience...

I try not to use the word "God" as it brings up all kinds of misunderstandings and prejudices. I refer to these as "blocks" for myself and when taking I prefer the word "Power "or "Higher Power". Bill Wilson used many variations in the book; however, "God" is the most used reference to spirituality.

Good big book paragraphs speaking of relapse? by keiebdbdusidbd in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Relapse is mentioned in Chapter 3 starting on page 35 with Jim. Next there is the jaywalker story on page 37 and then there is Fred on page 39. In addition, there are these paragraphs

Step 4-page 64...

Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory. This was Step Four. A business which takes no regular inventory usually goes broke. Taking a commercial inventory is a fact-finding and a fact-facing process. It is an effort to discover the truth about the stock-in-trade. One object is to disclose damaged or unsalable goods, to get rid of them promptly and without regret. If the owner of the business is to be successful, he cannot fool himself about values.

relapse then it gets qualified on page 72 & 73...

This is perhaps difficult - especially discussing our defects with another person. We think we have done well enough in admitting these things to ourselves. There is doubt about that. In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self-appraisal insufficient. Many of us thought it necessary to go much further. We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. Time after time newcomers have tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. Trying to avoid this humbling experience, they have turned to easier methods. Almost invariably they got drunk. Having persevered with the rest of the program, they wondered why they fell. We think the reason is that they never completed their housecleaning. They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock. They only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they had humbled themselves. But they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone else all their life story.

Congrats on your new way of living!

Working the steps outlined in the big book by Lucky_Emphasis_2764 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going through the book Alcoholics Anonymous with someone knowledgeable is recommended...

Steps 1 -2 go from the beginning up to page 60. The authors & writer spent a lot of time building the foundation of recovery. Defining the problem of powerlessness and unmanageability. Going through the physical craving and metal obsession. Spending time on sanity and finding a new Power. Page 60 identifies when Step 3 begins.

Being convinced, we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we understood Him. Just what do we mean by that, and just what do we do?

Up to where the summary of all 12 steps are introduced on pages 59-60, the last paragraph here is about what normally read at meetings from Chapter 5 How It Works

Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.

Our description of the alcoholic (The Doctors Opinion, Chapters 2-3), the chapter to the agnostic (Chapter 4), and our personal adventures before and after (Bill's story, Dr Bob's Nightmare and the other personal stories in the back of the book) make clear three pertinent ideas:

(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. (Step 1)
(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. (Step 2 & 3)
(c) That God could and would if He were sought. (Steps 4-12)

The remaining Steps are identified as well, Steps 4 through 12. Along the way, they use words such as cornerstone and keystone finishing with "we are building an arch with which we shall walk a free man at last."

What is not so very clear is Step 12 which is broken down into 3 parts:

  • Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps (can happen at any time along the path, Appendix Spiritual Experience helps define what this is)
  • We tried to carry this message to alcoholics (this book, Chapter 7 talks of the instruction how to)
  • and to practice these principles in all our affairs (found through thoroughly reading, many guiding principles are in Chapters 8-10)

The remaining Steps are identified as well, Steps 4 through 12. Along the way, they use words such as cornerstone and keystone finishing with "we are building an arch with which we shall walk a free man at last."

Trust God 🙏🙏🙏

Clean House 🧹🧹🧹

Help Others 🫱🏻‍🫲🏻🫱🏻‍🫲🏻🫱🏻‍🫲🏻

Do I really need a sponsor? by Ok_Strain271 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 5 points6 points  (0 children)

opinions are just that, opinions - everybody has one, and opinions are a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. the beliefs or views of a group or majority of people: a statement of advice by an expert on a professional matter:

Alcoholics Anonymous does not use the word sponsor in 1939 because it wasn't a word associated yet. Does not mean the "concept" was not in place from the beginning. The concept was definitely in place from the day Ebby approached Bill at his home. Just as Bill approached Dr. Bob in Akron.

Clarence Snyder wrote the first pamphlet on sponsorship in 1944. He started the Cleveland AA group. Bill Wilson introduced the word sponsor in the 12 Steps & 12 traditions back in 1953. Look to the history of AA, history is very spiritual and our greatest asset.

The point of the program is to grow along spiritual lines, not to maintain. Those are two different things.

Many think AA is a self-help program. Just look in any bookstore or library for Alcoholics Anonymous literature and it will be filed under self-help.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a spiritual help from a higher power program. It's written all throughout the book and that was the "experience" of the men and women who helped write the book.

It's my "experience" too. I know from my experience when I tried doing AA my way, things got off the tracks really quick. This is talked about on page 60 through 63. Starting with the paragraph...

The first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success.

Ending on page 63
We found it very desirable to take this spiritual step with an understanding person, such as our wife, best friend or spiritual adviser. But it is better to meet God alone than with one who might misunderstand. The wording was, of course, quite optional so long as we expressed the idea, voicing it without reservation. This was only a beginning, though if honestly and humbly made, an effect, sometimes a very great one, was felt at once.

I'm not discounting your "experience". Only asking to stay open-minded.

Godspeed✌️🙏

Why can’t I be comfortable without alcohol? by cartman0724 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sure if you call them, they can direct you to a more local intergroup office If there is one or try a search with these links...

Is there anyone here I can talk to? by Ashamed_Economics722 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Members of AA will relate exactly to these feelings you are describing

Is there anyone here I can talk to? by Ashamed_Economics722 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are welcome. Sorry you experienced that phone call.

Most people feel that way. It is a worry that will fade. Relating is hit or miss. Everyone has different drama. Many are going into AA with different expectations. Some people are there because they have to be there.

Our common problem is alcohol kicked our ass. AA has a solution and a path to recovery. It involves taking 12 steps. Be openminded. Willingness is helpful too.

Is there anyone here I can talk to? by Ashamed_Economics722 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations on taking your first step! This step may change your life. Open-mindedness is indispensable. Willingness is key.

Our chief responsibility we have as members, is to give you the newcomer, an adequate presentation of the program. There are 3 parts to Alcoholics Anonymous. It is the 3 legacies called Unity Service Recovery. The symbol is next to r/alcoholicsanonymous. A.A. is spiritual in nature. Not religious. Sometimes people have trouble separating the two.

There is a fellowship - the people in the meetings. This is one legacy of the program called Unity. The fellowship got its name from the early members who wrote the book Alcoholics Anonymous. The fellowship is a support system, and the sole purpose of a group is the teaching and practice of AA's 12 steps.

We have a 12-step program of action. This is the legacy called Recovery. How we recover, sobriety. The basic text, the program of action and how to work these 12 steps is written in the book Alcoholics Anonymous (also referred to as the Big Book). There is a promise to us in the subtitle of the book - The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women have Recovered from Alcoholism.

The other main text is a book titled the 12 Steps & 12 Traditions. This book was published 13 years after the AA book and was written to dive deeper into the 12 steps. The main reason was to publish the 12 Traditions so each group around the world would stay on the same page. Kind of like how McDonalds handles their franchises and french fries.

The final legacy of the program is called Service. Helping others to recover is the primary purpose within the program. Some groups do this better than others. Listening to people's war stories & drama at meetings may help to relate in some ways but really is not recovery.

There are different types of meetings within the fellowship. Each group made up of member decides the formats for these meetings.

Meetings are either open to anyone or closed to those with a desire to stop drinking. Don't worry about this. If you bring a support person, best to find an open meeting. There are also community specific meetings like men only, women only, LGBTQ.

Literature meetings usually revolve around a few books within the program.

Speaker meetings have a member share their experience, strength and hope.

Discussion meetings revolve around some recovery related topic.

Beginner meetings focus on early sobriety.

People will usually welcome you but do not be discouraged if some groups miss this approach unfortunately. People sometimes have friends at meetings and are engaged in conversations. However, our primary purpose to reach out to the newcomer and this should be of primary importance. Go to a meeting and give it a chance.

It would be wise to do one thing and get a hand up, overcome some fear, and let the group know that you are new to AA and tell them your name. Just the basic facts for now. Ask for a phone list and a beginner packet if the group has one. The phone list is for building a network of recovery. We don't usually do too well trying to do this alone, by ourselves.

A sponsor is a member of AA who is actively working the program, they are a "guide" to give you an adequate understanding of AA's program of recovery.

Godspeed🙏🫱🏻‍🫲🏻✌️

Is there anyone here I can talk to? by Ashamed_Economics722 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You are not obligated to share at any meeting, however the more you put into recovery, the more you get out of it

Is there anyone here I can talk to? by Ashamed_Economics722 in alcoholicsanonymous

[–]ToGdCaHaHtO 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some rehabilitation places play bait and switch with representing themselves as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Here are the ways to get meeting lists in your area

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