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Post by mender1 on Jul 5, 2004 9:48:10 GMT -5
I once was speaking at a meeting and a oldtimer told me I had no right to be at that closed meeting let alone speaking because I was also a addict.
I drank I shot dope
Drugs got me to the program faster than just drinking.
Later in a smaller meeting which was a speaker disscussion the same man was there.
I told of Doc Bob story and how he was a addict and a alkie.
This man was inrage at my comment about our co founder.
He came to me later after carefully reading the part about how Doc Bob had to time it right when he gave himself a shot not of whiskey but drugs and told me he was sorry and wrong.
Why does it matter if someone is court ordered or comes in with family intervention.
Or if someone used drugs
The 12 steps in each program are almost the same just a few word's changed.
I relly get pissed when someone past judgement on how I found my way here to this program.
I was never appointed judge in thia program.
If you have a problem with a addict going to a AA meeting READ DOC Bob story again.
Why is there a problem this is a program with no governing body.
A meeting may choose not to sign paper's
but a meeting has no right to refuse fellowship to anyone who has a desire to stop drinking or using.
I was not lifted above all others when I decided to quit drinking
I actually had to climb back out of the hole i dug .
Which kinda puts me below most.
What does it matter which addiction I choose
What really matters is I found my way here
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Post by ChrisK on Jul 5, 2004 11:39:15 GMT -5
When, we sit in the meetings we've put our selves out there. As long as, what I say in the meetings and the fact that I'm there stays within the walls. I don't care about why a person is there. zto me step 12 says all our affairs. I don't even know, if the N/A is still going in our town. I went to N/A when, I went to a meeting. You do drugs or drive while intoxicated you're still violating the law. You abuse anything you're selling your family friends abd job short by not being honest.
If, someone asks me, I'll tell them how grateful i am for this program. I don't wear a sign on my neck. How can we not be grateful for being sober today. Haven't woke up in jail once sober. I'm sure, the court system in my town is too busy to be talking about me being in AA. Besides that I'm glad if they read it there then in the arrests in our local paper
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Post by knothead on Jul 6, 2004 1:01:55 GMT -5
I once was speaking at a meeting and a oldtimer told me I had no right to be at that closed meeting let alone speaking because I was also a addict. I drank I shot dope Drugs got me to the program faster than just drinking. Later in a smaller meeting which was a speaker disscussion the same man was there. I told of Doc Bob story and how he was a addict and a alkie. This man was inrage at my comment about our co founder. He came to me later after carefully reading the part about how Doc Bob had to time it right when he gave himself a shot not of whiskey but drugs and told me he was sorry and wrong. Why does it matter if someone is court ordered or comes in with family intervention. It doesn't (or, at the very least, shouldn't, one iota. Or if someone used drugs I suppose the hardliners in AA would likely say that "membership is based on a desire to stop *drinking,* not using. Or some such. It is splitting hairs, no doubt. I've met certain inviduals (both AA & NA) that categorize drugs to such a fine degree, that they think that one can be successfully used over another. Also, I suspect that more than just a few *oldtimers* (as well as some others) don't like being lumped into a group that uses "illicit" drugs. As if abusing a licit drug such as ethyl alcohol or a precription drug is somehow inherently different from using/abusing other mind-altering substances. Pure BS, IMHO, from the get. It certainly was insofar as Dr. Bob was concerned, no doubt. The 12 steps in each program are almost the same just a few word's changed. Actually, the only thing that was changed was very insignificant things such as: powerlessness over 'alcohol' vs 'addictions.' Big Whoop!!! The 12 steps are still the thing, no matter how you slice it. I relly get pissed when someone past judgement on how I found my way here to this program. I understand where you are coming from, trust me. My sponsor told me to always try & look at where you can identify with another persons' message, not where you differ. Or, to look at everyone at a meeting as potential "teachers." He also said that sometimes all some discussion participants can teach you is *tolerance.* I swear, sometimes I think one or two are there just to try to push my buttons. Even if that is, in fact, the case, so what?  That is not why I personally attend the meetings. I go because I want what the "winners" have; the ones that have what I want so desperately. I neither avoid nor discourage those that are seemingly blocking my ultimate path. I speak my peace with them, if I find it neccesary, and let that be it. |
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Post by lala on Jul 6, 2004 11:30:46 GMT -5
most of my life i was a meth user didint drink much alcohol only in my teen age yrs and what i found is that a drug is a drug is a drug alcohol too but i also found that even though i didint drink all that much i still had to be an alcoholic because of the things i did when i did drink its funny i dont pay no mind when im at a mtg i talk about how i stay clean and sober cuz to me its all the same i cant get into the politics
or it will make me crazy i just stick to what works for me and that way i dont get in my own way.........lala
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Post by knothead on Jul 6, 2004 23:20:28 GMT -5
[If, someone asks me, I'll tell them how grateful i am for this program. I don't wear a sign on my neck. How can we not be grateful for being sober today. Haven't woke up in jail once sober. I'm sure, the court system in my town is too busy to be talking about me being in AA. Besides that I'm glad if they read it there then in the arrests in our local paper.]
Now, that really puts things into perspective for me. Seriously. They put arrests in our local rag as well. I know, because I've been mentioned in that section a couple of times. Welcome to small town, USA.
"Haven't woke up in jail once sober." Me either. Although, I have awakened at that fine establishment with a huge hangover w/the "dry heaves," and they're offering me breakfast consisting of fake scrambled eggs & such.
God, I'm so glad that I don't have to go through that today. I truly have options today. Only because I choose to surrender to my disease, one day at a time.
But the 12th tradition conflict makes more sense to me now, in light of what you shared.
Thanks so very much ChrisK.
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Post by preciouschihua on Jul 9, 2004 14:51:08 GMT -5
I haven't been able to get on here in quite some while,
as I don't have my own computer now. I experienced
something last night that made me say to self, I have to
get on here as soon as possible after work today, so
here I am. ----- Basically I am soooooooooo
greatful, a new friend of mine, well, now I wonder?
been friends a coule of months, and she shares that
she is drinking. oh no, so I had been asking God,
just what have you had me cross paths with this one?
why? -- well, I have the oppertunity to help another
in distress. This will be my first since my own recovery
oh, and I just passed 3 years sobriety July 4th. (smiles)
I find this friend knocking at my door and plastered.
I was so dismayed. baffled, and like looking at myself
in mirrow where I was 10 years ago. same po
place. I tried to use myself as an example, as I
listened to her throw up in my tolit, ugh. I was
very quickly reminded about my past. I encouraged
her to seek help, and offered to go to aa with her.
It was so sad, as I never figuredl her for an alcoholic.
She hid it very very well. I asked why? why did she
drink, she gave several reasons, and I batted it back
to her. I was so proud of myself as I remain strong
and unusually powerful to address such strong,
in my face, issue. I firmly said it was no good,
a killer, rotten, like devil, and I am soooooooooo
glad I don't contend with that in that manner anymore,
I just don't drink. Just don't start. I could smell her
reaping of alcohol, and was saddened, and disguested
as what a waste? Another one going down that same
stupid , going nowhare road. I soooooooo wanted to
help her and get her on the riight path. What I can't
believe is the continuing , even when it causes severe
stomach trauma. Was I like that too?
Unbelieveable, so I know I am not making much
sense, but this is the first time since my sobriety I have
run into this. God I hope I can help her. I believe I am
strong enough at this time. I hope she can learn from
my up-s and I can be an example of what sobriety can
be like.
Suzanne
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Post by ~graced~ on Jul 10, 2004 8:35:42 GMT -5
((((((((((((Suzanne)))))))))))))
Wow, Suz....great to hear from you!
And if there wasn't clarity of why G-d crossed your path with hers, I'm betting there's a better sense of it today, eh?
We get to carry the message to the most unsuspecting places....isn't that just the coolest thing?! And it's a multi tasking sorta deal in my life anytime I get to share my experience, strength and hope and have an opportunity to work with anyone. I get reminded just how graced I am today because of G-d, the steps and this program--PLUS I get reminded of where I can be, should I decided to give all that up and start believing lies again.
((((((((((Suzanne)))))))))) I'll pray wonderful things happen for the gal G-d crossed your path with. How cool that He arranged for the friendship to make the message obviously done out of love.
*hugs*
Miss hearing from you, Suz....and congratulations on the three years! Wow!
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Post by caressa on May 30, 2009 6:55:12 GMT -5
Knowiing me, I can't figure out how I never posted on this! It is an awesome piece.
When I got here, I knew I was an addict, but in denial about my alcoholism. I went to AA for my denial. I got a sense that NA looked at me as an AA reject. I was told that AA doesn't reject anyone, but that isn't true. I have been at a meeting where people were turned away because they had never drank and had only done drugs. The thing was, their father's were alcoholics and they made a vow that they wouldn't be like him. They never drank. They were affected by alcoholism. Alcohol was a part of their choice to pick up drugs for themselves.
It was the story Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict that kept me going to AA. It is my understanding that this story isn't about Dr. Bob. I figured if the co-founders used drugs, I qualified too. It is my understanding that Bill was on drugs too. I heard someone say once that they were experimenting with speed, and used LSD to help chronic alcoholism. I am not sure of the whole story and yet how often do we substitute one for the other. For me it was pills, food, work, relationships and alcohol. Even in sobriety, I can slip back into those old patterns. I had to address my problem with food, burnout from too many volunteer hours, and my computer and web site obsession. The program worked for them just as they did when I quit smoking.
Many people have crossed my path and they carried a message to me, "It isn't any better out there" and did my research for me. You can only help those who want to help themselves. I remember the first time I smelled somone on the bus who got on and sat behind me and a newcomer. We looked at each other and said, "Did we smell like that?" The girl was dressed to the nines, all set to go out on the town and her night was just beginning. All she was going to attract was someone who smelled like her, because no one else would have wanted to get close to her. You can't help those who don't want it.
Just this week I was able to share with a long time friend who is a long-timer member of AA who lost everything she owned due to her son's addiction. I told her I go to Al-Anon, she said, "I need my AA friends right now." It is her choice. I know both programs helped me.
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Post by majestyjo on Nov 5, 2016 4:59:58 GMT -5
Alcohol is a drug. The drug of choice is but a symptom of my disease. There are very few 'pure' alcoholics these days. Most addiction I found were people who started with alcohol and went on to other things when alcohol stopped working for them or didn't do enough for them. Any drug will take you back to your drug of choice. For me, substitution didn't work.
Even after all the time in the program, I passed the liquor store which has been moved to where I enter the mall. I was going to cook chicken and I thought, I miss the wine I used to base my chickens and turkeys and it made such good gravy. But who ever heard of having a bottle of wine and leaving the rest for the next time. I don't think so, perhaps I could, but wouldn't want to set myself up that way. Who ever heard of leftover wine. If I didn't drink it, my son probably would although he isn't a wine drinker to my knowledge. It was one of my laments when I came into recovery. How can I ever cook a turkey again? I had to think apple juice and chicken/turkey stock.
Like the old sayiing, "Am I an addict because I am an alcoholic. I am an alcoholic who was addicted to more, what ever more may be." Alcohol is a drug. For me that makes me an addict, in reality, who cares??? I can't drink safely in today.
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Post by majestyjo on Jun 5, 2020 3:34:24 GMT -5
A drug is s drug. It doesn't matter what shape it comes in.
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That is not why I personally attend the meetings. I go because I want what the "winners" have; the ones that have what I want so desperately.
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.