Re: My last meeting and the humilitation I underwent

[Guest guest]

I have only gone to 2 meetings in the last 3 months or so. My last

one was about 2 weeks ago. Something similar happened to me. When i

walked in someone made a comment like " welcome back " .....I just

said....gee thanks. Went about my way. Then someone else asked me if

everything was o.k? You know with that look like maybe I was in

danger of drinking or something. I said of course. Thanks. Then

another knucklehead comes along and says....hey Pat we were starting

to think maybe you were cured. I got kind of embarrassed with that

one because he said it out loud. I just sat there and didn't say

anything. I guess he realized I was a bit peeved. Later I

thought that I probably should have said yeah...as a matter of fact I

am. It would have been a sight to probably get his reaction to

that. Anyhow I've come to realize these peoples lifelines are

meetings. If they were to think that I am staying sober just fine and

not going to meetings than it sort of crushes their belief that

meetings are essential to staying sober. I can never expect to go to

a meeting and not have to deal with this nonsense. So the best way

for me to deal with it is not to deal with it by not going.

> Hi all,

> I have written once or twice after reading some of the posts, but

after

> Saturday night, my mind has definietly been made up.

> I went to a 12 step (AA) meeting here in town and seen some older

mebers from

> another group I once attended on a regular basis. Anyways, there

were about

> 20 people there and I was doing the usual (making coffee, chatting

with those

> I hadnt seen in a while) and then comes in the AA Nazis from the

other group

> and the older lady said, " Well, my, my, I can't believe my eyes,

it's

> Jeannie. Where in the world have you been? " I said, (knowing full

well if

> she had not seen me at meetings its because I had not been going to

> meetings.) But I said, " Well Sue, I have cut down on my meetings

lately. "

> Needless to say, I was the topic of the meeting that evening. Soon

as I said

> that she said Oh shit honey, I see a relapse coming for you

honey---I have

> picked up on my meetings. I said that is great Sue, if that is what

you need

> to do for yourself. She said no honey, You aint no different from

me or

> anyone else sitting around this table. I was shocked.

> Anyhow to make a long story short this Nazi with 20 or 30 something

years

> sober is sitting right beside me and brings up the topic of meetings

and how

> when she hears someone with 5 years say they cut back on meetings

she KNOWS

> they are going to get drunk. Yada yada yada. And of course all

eyes were on

> me and I sat and watch the other people and it reminded me of those

little

> doggies in the back of windows years ago where their head bobbed up

and

> down--that is what all these other people were doing--sitting there

nodding

> there head as to say un huh!!

> As I sat there and held my ground on what I thought it occured to

me--I don't

> need this shit. On Thursday even my therapist said (and he used to

go to

> meetings himself)--AA doesn't allow a person to grow out of their

meetings.

> It is a control issue. And I agree now 100%.

> Guess it took a room full of people looking at me and one old lady

with her 2

> sidekicks who cliam to have 30-35 yrs. sober to humiliate and

embarrass me

> for me to finally figure out the truth.

> I also think it is a damn shame for someone to have 30+ years and

say they

> still have to go a meeting every single night of the week--sometimes

2.

> But I didnt speak out and try and shame her or anyone else. I knew

in my

> heart my prayers have been answered. It was a tough choice for me

because in

> the beginning AA did save my life and I know that. But I also know

since I

> have stayed sober and went to therapy for the past 2 and 1/2 years,

I have

> uncovered the reasons why I drank to begin with. And like my

therapist says,

> He doesn't seem to think one needs two solutions to one problem.

> Anyone else had a humilitating situation like mine happen????

> Have the AA Nazis pounced on anyone else??

> Jeannie

[Guest guest]

I have only gone to 2 meetings in the last 3 months or so. My last

one was about 2 weeks ago. Something similar happened to me. When i

walked in someone made a comment like " welcome back " .....I just

said....gee thanks. Went about my way. Then someone else asked me if

everything was o.k? You know with that look like maybe I was in

danger of drinking or something. I said of course. Thanks. Then

another knucklehead comes along and says....hey Pat we were starting

to think maybe you were cured. I got kind of embarrassed with that

one because he said it out loud. I just sat there and didn't say

anything. I guess he realized I was a bit peeved. Later I

thought that I probably should have said yeah...as a matter of fact I

am. It would have been a sight to probably get his reaction to

that. Anyhow I've come to realize these peoples lifelines are

meetings. If they were to think that I am staying sober just fine and

not going to meetings than it sort of crushes their belief that

meetings are essential to staying sober. I can never expect to go to

a meeting and not have to deal with this nonsense. So the best way

for me to deal with it is not to deal with it by not going.

> Hi all,

> I have written once or twice after reading some of the posts, but

after

> Saturday night, my mind has definietly been made up.

> I went to a 12 step (AA) meeting here in town and seen some older

mebers from

> another group I once attended on a regular basis. Anyways, there

were about

> 20 people there and I was doing the usual (making coffee, chatting

with those

> I hadnt seen in a while) and then comes in the AA Nazis from the

other group

> and the older lady said, " Well, my, my, I can't believe my eyes,

it's

> Jeannie. Where in the world have you been? " I said, (knowing full

well if

> she had not seen me at meetings its because I had not been going to

> meetings.) But I said, " Well Sue, I have cut down on my meetings

lately. "

> Needless to say, I was the topic of the meeting that evening. Soon

as I said

> that she said Oh shit honey, I see a relapse coming for you

honey---I have

> picked up on my meetings. I said that is great Sue, if that is what

you need

> to do for yourself. She said no honey, You aint no different from

me or

> anyone else sitting around this table. I was shocked.

> Anyhow to make a long story short this Nazi with 20 or 30 something

years

> sober is sitting right beside me and brings up the topic of meetings

and how

> when she hears someone with 5 years say they cut back on meetings

she KNOWS

> they are going to get drunk. Yada yada yada. And of course all

eyes were on

> me and I sat and watch the other people and it reminded me of those

little

> doggies in the back of windows years ago where their head bobbed up

and

> down--that is what all these other people were doing--sitting there

nodding

> there head as to say un huh!!

> As I sat there and held my ground on what I thought it occured to

me--I don't

> need this shit. On Thursday even my therapist said (and he used to

go to

> meetings himself)--AA doesn't allow a person to grow out of their

meetings.

> It is a control issue. And I agree now 100%.

> Guess it took a room full of people looking at me and one old lady

with her 2

> sidekicks who cliam to have 30-35 yrs. sober to humiliate and

embarrass me

> for me to finally figure out the truth.

> I also think it is a damn shame for someone to have 30+ years and

say they

> still have to go a meeting every single night of the week--sometimes

2.

> But I didnt speak out and try and shame her or anyone else. I knew

in my

> heart my prayers have been answered. It was a tough choice for me

because in

> the beginning AA did save my life and I know that. But I also know

since I

> have stayed sober and went to therapy for the past 2 and 1/2 years,

I have

> uncovered the reasons why I drank to begin with. And like my

therapist says,

> He doesn't seem to think one needs two solutions to one problem.

> Anyone else had a humilitating situation like mine happen????

> Have the AA Nazis pounced on anyone else??

> Jeannie

[Guest guest]

I have only gone to 2 meetings in the last 3 months or so. My last

one was about 2 weeks ago. Something similar happened to me. When i

walked in someone made a comment like " welcome back " .....I just

said....gee thanks. Went about my way. Then someone else asked me if

everything was o.k? You know with that look like maybe I was in

danger of drinking or something. I said of course. Thanks. Then

another knucklehead comes along and says....hey Pat we were starting

to think maybe you were cured. I got kind of embarrassed with that

one because he said it out loud. I just sat there and didn't say

anything. I guess he realized I was a bit peeved. Later I

thought that I probably should have said yeah...as a matter of fact I

am. It would have been a sight to probably get his reaction to

that. Anyhow I've come to realize these peoples lifelines are

meetings. If they were to think that I am staying sober just fine and

not going to meetings than it sort of crushes their belief that

meetings are essential to staying sober. I can never expect to go to

a meeting and not have to deal with this nonsense. So the best way

for me to deal with it is not to deal with it by not going.

> Hi all,

> I have written once or twice after reading some of the posts, but

after

> Saturday night, my mind has definietly been made up.

> I went to a 12 step (AA) meeting here in town and seen some older

mebers from

> another group I once attended on a regular basis. Anyways, there

were about

> 20 people there and I was doing the usual (making coffee, chatting

with those

> I hadnt seen in a while) and then comes in the AA Nazis from the

other group

> and the older lady said, " Well, my, my, I can't believe my eyes,

it's

> Jeannie. Where in the world have you been? " I said, (knowing full

well if

> she had not seen me at meetings its because I had not been going to

> meetings.) But I said, " Well Sue, I have cut down on my meetings

lately. "

> Needless to say, I was the topic of the meeting that evening. Soon

as I said

> that she said Oh shit honey, I see a relapse coming for you

honey---I have

> picked up on my meetings. I said that is great Sue, if that is what

you need

> to do for yourself. She said no honey, You aint no different from

me or

> anyone else sitting around this table. I was shocked.

> Anyhow to make a long story short this Nazi with 20 or 30 something

years

> sober is sitting right beside me and brings up the topic of meetings

and how

> when she hears someone with 5 years say they cut back on meetings

she KNOWS

> they are going to get drunk. Yada yada yada. And of course all

eyes were on

> me and I sat and watch the other people and it reminded me of those

little

> doggies in the back of windows years ago where their head bobbed up

and

> down--that is what all these other people were doing--sitting there

nodding

> there head as to say un huh!!

> As I sat there and held my ground on what I thought it occured to

me--I don't

> need this shit. On Thursday even my therapist said (and he used to

go to

> meetings himself)--AA doesn't allow a person to grow out of their

meetings.

> It is a control issue. And I agree now 100%.

> Guess it took a room full of people looking at me and one old lady

with her 2

> sidekicks who cliam to have 30-35 yrs. sober to humiliate and

embarrass me

> for me to finally figure out the truth.

> I also think it is a damn shame for someone to have 30+ years and

say they

> still have to go a meeting every single night of the week--sometimes

2.

> But I didnt speak out and try and shame her or anyone else. I knew

in my

> heart my prayers have been answered. It was a tough choice for me

because in

> the beginning AA did save my life and I know that. But I also know

since I

> have stayed sober and went to therapy for the past 2 and 1/2 years,

I have

> uncovered the reasons why I drank to begin with. And like my

therapist says,

> He doesn't seem to think one needs two solutions to one problem.

> Anyone else had a humilitating situation like mine happen????

> Have the AA Nazis pounced on anyone else??

> Jeannie

[Guest guest]

welcome to the other side of the looking glass. it amazes me, i

have heard accounts from ex-aa members from around the

world, and yet the tales

of cult tactics, manipulations and social control are always

exactly the same in every respect. i was in AA for a year, and yet i

have experienced

the same bullshit people who were in AA for years have. the

language is the same, he social pressures are same, the alpha

elders are the same. it amazes me any one even attempts to

deny its a cult.

when i left, after telling my sponsor he was " fired " after a meeting

in from of my home group, i knew in my gut as i walked out the

door, no one in AA had my best interest at heart, that it all was a

staged routine for them. like actors hiting a mark.

when some one does this, you then say that, if they express a

certain emotion, then drop this slogan on them, they dont go to a

meeting or express enough gratitude to program, Watch them!

their in trouble and dont even know it!!

> > Hi all,

> > I have written once or twice after reading some of the posts,

but

> after

> > Saturday night, my mind has definietly been made up.

> > I went to a 12 step (AA) meeting here in town and seen some

older

> mebers from

> > another group I once attended on a regular basis. Anyways,

there

> were about

> > 20 people there and I was doing the usual (making coffee,

chatting

> with those

> > I hadnt seen in a while) and then comes in the AA Nazis from

the

> other group

> > and the older lady said, " Well, my, my, I can't believe my eyes,

> it's

> > Jeannie. Where in the world have you been? " I said,

(knowing full

> well if

> > she had not seen me at meetings its because I had not been

going to

> > meetings.) But I said, " Well Sue, I have cut down on my

meetings

> lately. "

> > Needless to say, I was the topic of the meeting that evening.

Soon

> as I said

> > that she said Oh shit honey, I see a relapse coming for you

> honey---I have

> > picked up on my meetings. I said that is great Sue, if that is

what

> you need

> > to do for yourself. She said no honey, You aint no different

from

> me or

> > anyone else sitting around this table. I was shocked.

> > Anyhow to make a long story short this Nazi with 20 or 30

something

> years

> > sober is sitting right beside me and brings up the topic of

meetings

> and how

> > when she hears someone with 5 years say they cut back on

meetings

> she KNOWS

> > they are going to get drunk. Yada yada yada. And of course

all

> eyes were on

> > me and I sat and watch the other people and it reminded me

of those

> little

> > doggies in the back of windows years ago where their head

bobbed up

> and

> > down--that is what all these other people were doing--sitting

there

> nodding

> > there head as to say un huh!!

> > As I sat there and held my ground on what I thought it

occured to

> me--I don't

> > need this shit. On Thursday even my therapist said (and he

used to

> go to

> > meetings himself)--AA doesn't allow a person to grow out of

their

> meetings.

> > It is a control issue. And I agree now 100%.

> > Guess it took a room full of people looking at me and one old

lady

> with her 2

> > sidekicks who cliam to have 30-35 yrs. sober to humiliate

and

> embarrass me

> > for me to finally figure out the truth.

> > I also think it is a damn shame for someone to have 30+

years and

> say they

> > still have to go a meeting every single night of the

week--sometimes

> 2.

> > But I didnt speak out and try and shame her or anyone else. I

knew

> in my

> > heart my prayers have been answered. It was a tough choice

for me

> because in

> > the beginning AA did save my life and I know that. But I also

know

> since I

> > have stayed sober and went to therapy for the past 2 and 1/2

years,

> I have

> > uncovered the reasons why I drank to begin with. And like my

> therapist says,

> > He doesn't seem to think one needs two solutions to one

problem.

> > Anyone else had a humilitating situation like mine

happen????

> > Have the AA Nazis pounced on anyone else??

> > Jeannie

[Guest guest]

welcome to the other side of the looking glass. it amazes me, i

have heard accounts from ex-aa members from around the

world, and yet the tales

of cult tactics, manipulations and social control are always

exactly the same in every respect. i was in AA for a year, and yet i

have experienced

the same bullshit people who were in AA for years have. the

language is the same, he social pressures are same, the alpha

elders are the same. it amazes me any one even attempts to

deny its a cult.

when i left, after telling my sponsor he was " fired " after a meeting

in from of my home group, i knew in my gut as i walked out the

door, no one in AA had my best interest at heart, that it all was a

staged routine for them. like actors hiting a mark.

when some one does this, you then say that, if they express a

certain emotion, then drop this slogan on them, they dont go to a

meeting or express enough gratitude to program, Watch them!

their in trouble and dont even know it!!

> > Hi all,

> > I have written once or twice after reading some of the posts,

but

> after

> > Saturday night, my mind has definietly been made up.

> > I went to a 12 step (AA) meeting here in town and seen some

older

> mebers from

> > another group I once attended on a regular basis. Anyways,

there

> were about

> > 20 people there and I was doing the usual (making coffee,

chatting

> with those

> > I hadnt seen in a while) and then comes in the AA Nazis from

the

> other group

> > and the older lady said, " Well, my, my, I can't believe my eyes,

> it's

> > Jeannie. Where in the world have you been? " I said,

(knowing full

> well if

> > she had not seen me at meetings its because I had not been

going to

> > meetings.) But I said, " Well Sue, I have cut down on my

meetings

> lately. "

> > Needless to say, I was the topic of the meeting that evening.

Soon

> as I said

> > that she said Oh shit honey, I see a relapse coming for you

> honey---I have

> > picked up on my meetings. I said that is great Sue, if that is

what

> you need

> > to do for yourself. She said no honey, You aint no different

from

> me or

> > anyone else sitting around this table. I was shocked.

> > Anyhow to make a long story short this Nazi with 20 or 30

something

> years

> > sober is sitting right beside me and brings up the topic of

meetings

> and how

> > when she hears someone with 5 years say they cut back on

meetings

> she KNOWS

> > they are going to get drunk. Yada yada yada. And of course

all

> eyes were on

> > me and I sat and watch the other people and it reminded me

of those

> little

> > doggies in the back of windows years ago where their head

bobbed up

> and

> > down--that is what all these other people were doing--sitting

there

> nodding

> > there head as to say un huh!!

> > As I sat there and held my ground on what I thought it

occured to

> me--I don't

> > need this shit. On Thursday even my therapist said (and he

used to

> go to

> > meetings himself)--AA doesn't allow a person to grow out of

their

> meetings.

> > It is a control issue. And I agree now 100%.

> > Guess it took a room full of people looking at me and one old

lady

> with her 2

> > sidekicks who cliam to have 30-35 yrs. sober to humiliate

and

> embarrass me

> > for me to finally figure out the truth.

> > I also think it is a damn shame for someone to have 30+

years and

> say they

> > still have to go a meeting every single night of the

week--sometimes

> 2.

> > But I didnt speak out and try and shame her or anyone else. I

knew

> in my

> > heart my prayers have been answered. It was a tough choice

for me

> because in

> > the beginning AA did save my life and I know that. But I also

know

> since I

> > have stayed sober and went to therapy for the past 2 and 1/2

years,

> I have

> > uncovered the reasons why I drank to begin with. And like my

> therapist says,

> > He doesn't seem to think one needs two solutions to one

problem.

> > Anyone else had a humilitating situation like mine

happen????

> > Have the AA Nazis pounced on anyone else??

> > Jeannie

[Guest guest]

welcome to the other side of the looking glass. it amazes me, i

have heard accounts from ex-aa members from around the

world, and yet the tales

of cult tactics, manipulations and social control are always

exactly the same in every respect. i was in AA for a year, and yet i

have experienced

the same bullshit people who were in AA for years have. the

language is the same, he social pressures are same, the alpha

elders are the same. it amazes me any one even attempts to

deny its a cult.

when i left, after telling my sponsor he was " fired " after a meeting

in from of my home group, i knew in my gut as i walked out the

door, no one in AA had my best interest at heart, that it all was a

staged routine for them. like actors hiting a mark.

when some one does this, you then say that, if they express a

certain emotion, then drop this slogan on them, they dont go to a

meeting or express enough gratitude to program, Watch them!

their in trouble and dont even know it!!

> > Hi all,

> > I have written once or twice after reading some of the posts,

but

> after

> > Saturday night, my mind has definietly been made up.

> > I went to a 12 step (AA) meeting here in town and seen some

older

> mebers from

> > another group I once attended on a regular basis. Anyways,

there

> were about

> > 20 people there and I was doing the usual (making coffee,

chatting

> with those

> > I hadnt seen in a while) and then comes in the AA Nazis from

the

> other group

> > and the older lady said, " Well, my, my, I can't believe my eyes,

> it's

> > Jeannie. Where in the world have you been? " I said,

(knowing full

> well if

> > she had not seen me at meetings its because I had not been

going to

> > meetings.) But I said, " Well Sue, I have cut down on my

meetings

> lately. "

> > Needless to say, I was the topic of the meeting that evening.

Soon

> as I said

> > that she said Oh shit honey, I see a relapse coming for you

> honey---I have

> > picked up on my meetings. I said that is great Sue, if that is

what

> you need

> > to do for yourself. She said no honey, You aint no different

from

> me or

> > anyone else sitting around this table. I was shocked.

> > Anyhow to make a long story short this Nazi with 20 or 30

something

> years

> > sober is sitting right beside me and brings up the topic of

meetings

> and how

> > when she hears someone with 5 years say they cut back on

meetings

> she KNOWS

> > they are going to get drunk. Yada yada yada. And of course

all

> eyes were on

> > me and I sat and watch the other people and it reminded me

of those

> little

> > doggies in the back of windows years ago where their head

bobbed up

> and

> > down--that is what all these other people were doing--sitting

there

> nodding

> > there head as to say un huh!!

> > As I sat there and held my ground on what I thought it

occured to

> me--I don't

> > need this shit. On Thursday even my therapist said (and he

used to

> go to

> > meetings himself)--AA doesn't allow a person to grow out of

their

> meetings.

> > It is a control issue. And I agree now 100%.

> > Guess it took a room full of people looking at me and one old

lady

> with her 2

> > sidekicks who cliam to have 30-35 yrs. sober to humiliate

and

> embarrass me

> > for me to finally figure out the truth.

> > I also think it is a damn shame for someone to have 30+

years and

> say they

> > still have to go a meeting every single night of the

week--sometimes

> 2.

> > But I didnt speak out and try and shame her or anyone else. I

knew

> in my

> > heart my prayers have been answered. It was a tough choice

for me

> because in

> > the beginning AA did save my life and I know that. But I also

know

> since I

> > have stayed sober and went to therapy for the past 2 and 1/2

years,

> I have

> > uncovered the reasons why I drank to begin with. And like my

> therapist says,

> > He doesn't seem to think one needs two solutions to one

problem.

> > Anyone else had a humilitating situation like mine

happen????

> > Have the AA Nazis pounced on anyone else??

> > Jeannie

[Guest guest]

Wow, right on. What I am really sick of is all the labels - " I'm just a sick

person " " My self-centered fear prevents me from growing " " My best thinking

got me here " , blah-blah blah. Been meeting free for almost six months. I am

doing fine and the only compulsion I feel is a twinge to go to a meeting once

in a while

[Guest guest]

Wow, right on. What I am really sick of is all the labels - " I'm just a sick

person " " My self-centered fear prevents me from growing " " My best thinking

got me here " , blah-blah blah. Been meeting free for almost six months. I am

doing fine and the only compulsion I feel is a twinge to go to a meeting once

in a while

[Guest guest]

Wow, right on. What I am really sick of is all the labels - " I'm just a sick

person " " My self-centered fear prevents me from growing " " My best thinking

got me here " , blah-blah blah. Been meeting free for almost six months. I am

doing fine and the only compulsion I feel is a twinge to go to a meeting once

in a while

[Guest guest]

Bravo - I can't tell you how many times I have been feeling really good about

life, about my job, or whatever, and some Big Book Banger would come along

and say, " Yeah, just keep riding that pink cloud. " It's almost as if the

underlying message is, " You are an alcoholic or drug addict or (insert

dysfunctional behavior here), you do not deserve to be happy and you are so

sick and selfish you would not know what true happiness is.

[Guest guest]

Bravo - I can't tell you how many times I have been feeling really good about

life, about my job, or whatever, and some Big Book Banger would come along

and say, " Yeah, just keep riding that pink cloud. " It's almost as if the

underlying message is, " You are an alcoholic or drug addict or (insert

dysfunctional behavior here), you do not deserve to be happy and you are so

sick and selfish you would not know what true happiness is.

[Guest guest]

Bravo - I can't tell you how many times I have been feeling really good about

life, about my job, or whatever, and some Big Book Banger would come along

and say, " Yeah, just keep riding that pink cloud. " It's almost as if the

underlying message is, " You are an alcoholic or drug addict or (insert

dysfunctional behavior here), you do not deserve to be happy and you are so

sick and selfish you would not know what true happiness is.

[Guest guest]

Wow, it just feels so good to hear this kind of feedback. I was in the

program for nearly two years and have not been in quite some time. I decided

(with the help of my therapist) to try the Moderation Management approach.

That went over like a led balloon with my 12 step bretheren. But guess what,

it worked. I am not in the hospital, I am not a drunk, hell, i still rarely

drink and when I do, it's usually one glass of wine with dinner. I finally

feel the sobreity that elluded me during my time at meetings. I have also

discovered what made me drink heavily in the first place. Now I understand

why when I was a newcomer some of the elder statesman wanted me to stay away

from therapy. They were afraid I would discover the truth.

[Guest guest]

Wow, it just feels so good to hear this kind of feedback. I was in the

program for nearly two years and have not been in quite some time. I decided

(with the help of my therapist) to try the Moderation Management approach.

That went over like a led balloon with my 12 step bretheren. But guess what,

it worked. I am not in the hospital, I am not a drunk, hell, i still rarely

drink and when I do, it's usually one glass of wine with dinner. I finally

feel the sobreity that elluded me during my time at meetings. I have also

discovered what made me drink heavily in the first place. Now I understand

why when I was a newcomer some of the elder statesman wanted me to stay away

from therapy. They were afraid I would discover the truth.

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

Yes, that is another one 'they' tried to pull on me also--by saying they

thought I was cured and funny 'cause my first thought was too say, --yeah, I

may be. Also like you, I could imagine the " fire and brimstone " topic that

would have been.

Someone asked me why I didn't walk out and I had thought about it while

sitting there and listening to the b.s. But, on the other hand it was a

brand new experience for me to sit and hold true to what I know is the truth

for me and not back down.

I do feel good b/c I sat there and looked each one in the eye as they told of

how they relapsed after not going to meetings and yadda this and yadda that.

Instead of doing the 'bobbing my head up and down as if in agreement', I

looked them each in the eye and just shooked my head no, as in I disagree.

Funny now that I recall how the meeting went--after each one shared, someone

else was quick to jump in with their speech, almost as if they were not

allowing me to share my mind.

The usual, Are there any burning desire question before closing was not even

asked. But I probably would not have said anything anyway.

I did somehow have a peaceful spot in my gut telling me I knew what I was and

am doing is exactly where I am supposed to be at today.

And it darn sure is not at an AA meeting.

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

Yes, that is another one 'they' tried to pull on me also--by saying they

thought I was cured and funny 'cause my first thought was too say, --yeah, I

may be. Also like you, I could imagine the " fire and brimstone " topic that

would have been.

Someone asked me why I didn't walk out and I had thought about it while

sitting there and listening to the b.s. But, on the other hand it was a

brand new experience for me to sit and hold true to what I know is the truth

for me and not back down.

I do feel good b/c I sat there and looked each one in the eye as they told of

how they relapsed after not going to meetings and yadda this and yadda that.

Instead of doing the 'bobbing my head up and down as if in agreement', I

looked them each in the eye and just shooked my head no, as in I disagree.

Funny now that I recall how the meeting went--after each one shared, someone

else was quick to jump in with their speech, almost as if they were not

allowing me to share my mind.

The usual, Are there any burning desire question before closing was not even

asked. But I probably would not have said anything anyway.

I did somehow have a peaceful spot in my gut telling me I knew what I was and

am doing is exactly where I am supposed to be at today.

And it darn sure is not at an AA meeting.

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

Yes, that is another one 'they' tried to pull on me also--by saying they

thought I was cured and funny 'cause my first thought was too say, --yeah, I

may be. Also like you, I could imagine the " fire and brimstone " topic that

would have been.

Someone asked me why I didn't walk out and I had thought about it while

sitting there and listening to the b.s. But, on the other hand it was a

brand new experience for me to sit and hold true to what I know is the truth

for me and not back down.

I do feel good b/c I sat there and looked each one in the eye as they told of

how they relapsed after not going to meetings and yadda this and yadda that.

Instead of doing the 'bobbing my head up and down as if in agreement', I

looked them each in the eye and just shooked my head no, as in I disagree.

Funny now that I recall how the meeting went--after each one shared, someone

else was quick to jump in with their speech, almost as if they were not

allowing me to share my mind.

The usual, Are there any burning desire question before closing was not even

asked. But I probably would not have said anything anyway.

I did somehow have a peaceful spot in my gut telling me I knew what I was and

am doing is exactly where I am supposed to be at today.

And it darn sure is not at an AA meeting.

[Guest guest]

Jeannie,

Towards the end of my years in the program, I started to notice that

the steppers did not trust those who shared about success and

happiness. Responses to things such as " My husband and I are happy "

or " I just received a promotion at work " were met with comments such

as " this too shall pass. "

It seemed to me that they preferred being around lost souls. Notice

how those who shared misery got love and attention, while those who

were doing well in their lives were warned that the disease was

always there.

AA members do not want to see people get well. If they did, they

wouldn't put themselves down so much with comments such as " I'm just

a sick alcoholic. " It doesn't make sense to label yourself as a

behavior that you no longer do. I mean, I wet my diaper when I was a

baby, and I don't call myself a Recovering Diaper Wetter!

Associating with the healthy people you meet outside the rooms makes

you a healthier person. It's simple.

Congratulations on seeing the light!

[Guest guest]

Jeannie,

Towards the end of my years in the program, I started to notice that

the steppers did not trust those who shared about success and

happiness. Responses to things such as " My husband and I are happy "

or " I just received a promotion at work " were met with comments such

as " this too shall pass. "

It seemed to me that they preferred being around lost souls. Notice

how those who shared misery got love and attention, while those who

were doing well in their lives were warned that the disease was

always there.

AA members do not want to see people get well. If they did, they

wouldn't put themselves down so much with comments such as " I'm just

a sick alcoholic. " It doesn't make sense to label yourself as a

behavior that you no longer do. I mean, I wet my diaper when I was a

baby, and I don't call myself a Recovering Diaper Wetter!

Associating with the healthy people you meet outside the rooms makes

you a healthier person. It's simple.

Congratulations on seeing the light!

[Guest guest]

Jeannie,

Towards the end of my years in the program, I started to notice that

the steppers did not trust those who shared about success and

happiness. Responses to things such as " My husband and I are happy "

or " I just received a promotion at work " were met with comments such

as " this too shall pass. "

It seemed to me that they preferred being around lost souls. Notice

how those who shared misery got love and attention, while those who

were doing well in their lives were warned that the disease was

always there.

AA members do not want to see people get well. If they did, they

wouldn't put themselves down so much with comments such as " I'm just

a sick alcoholic. " It doesn't make sense to label yourself as a

behavior that you no longer do. I mean, I wet my diaper when I was a

baby, and I don't call myself a Recovering Diaper Wetter!

Associating with the healthy people you meet outside the rooms makes

you a healthier person. It's simple.

Congratulations on seeing the light!

[Guest guest]

AA is a self helplessness group. if you were happy and doing

well, you wouldn't need them anymore, so they dismiss anyone's

happiness as a false " pink cloud " or such.

> Jeannie,

> AA members do not want to see people get well. If they did,

they > wouldn't put themselves down so much with comments

such as " I'm just a sick alcoholic. " It doesn't make sense to

label yourself as a > behavior that you no longer do. I mean, I wet

my diaper when I was a > baby, and I don't call myself a

Recovering Diaper Wetter!

not to mention its a masochistic label to boot. thanks to AA , we

have all kinds of " defects " we associate with the label alcoholic.

liars, thiefs, morally bankrupt. no person of healthy self esteem

would even think of putting themselves in such a category. this is

one the travesties of 12-step programs

nor do we expect smokers to say im a " smoker " years after they

quit. the thing the brainacs in AA seem to forget is the baisis of

the disease theory of alcoholism is that it is progressive. that is

the primary reason its considered a disease, not because it can

be lethal, or it supposedly cant be managed. once its stops

progressing, its not a disease. tooth decay is a disease,

gingivitis is a disease. but once those to conditions stop

progressing, your dentist doesn't say you should label yourself

after your former tooth condition.

i stopped being an alcoholic the day i stopped drinking.

>

> Associating with the healthy people you meet outside the

rooms makes

> you a healthier person. It's simple.

>

> Congratulations on seeing the light!

>

>

[Guest guest]

AA is a self helplessness group. if you were happy and doing

well, you wouldn't need them anymore, so they dismiss anyone's

happiness as a false " pink cloud " or such.

> Jeannie,

> AA members do not want to see people get well. If they did,

they > wouldn't put themselves down so much with comments

such as " I'm just a sick alcoholic. " It doesn't make sense to

label yourself as a > behavior that you no longer do. I mean, I wet

my diaper when I was a > baby, and I don't call myself a

Recovering Diaper Wetter!

not to mention its a masochistic label to boot. thanks to AA , we

have all kinds of " defects " we associate with the label alcoholic.

liars, thiefs, morally bankrupt. no person of healthy self esteem

would even think of putting themselves in such a category. this is

one the travesties of 12-step programs

nor do we expect smokers to say im a " smoker " years after they

quit. the thing the brainacs in AA seem to forget is the baisis of

the disease theory of alcoholism is that it is progressive. that is

the primary reason its considered a disease, not because it can

be lethal, or it supposedly cant be managed. once its stops

progressing, its not a disease. tooth decay is a disease,

gingivitis is a disease. but once those to conditions stop

progressing, your dentist doesn't say you should label yourself

after your former tooth condition.

i stopped being an alcoholic the day i stopped drinking.

>

> Associating with the healthy people you meet outside the

rooms makes

> you a healthier person. It's simple.

>

> Congratulations on seeing the light!

>

>

[Guest guest]

midwestbrunette@... wrote:

> AA members do not want to see people get well. If they did, they

> wouldn't put themselves down so much with comments such as " I'm just

> a sick alcoholic. " It doesn't make sense to label yourself as a

> behavior that you no longer do. I mean, I wet my diaper when I was a

> baby, and I don't call myself a Recovering Diaper Wetter!

Step One. We admitted that we were powerless over our bladders and that our

laundry bills had become unmanageable.

[Guest guest]

midwestbrunette@... wrote:

> AA members do not want to see people get well. If they did, they

> wouldn't put themselves down so much with comments such as " I'm just

> a sick alcoholic. " It doesn't make sense to label yourself as a

> behavior that you no longer do. I mean, I wet my diaper when I was a

> baby, and I don't call myself a Recovering Diaper Wetter!

Step One. We admitted that we were powerless over our bladders and that our

laundry bills had become unmanageable.

[Guest guest]

midwestbrunette@... wrote:

> AA members do not want to see people get well. If they did, they

> wouldn't put themselves down so much with comments such as " I'm just

> a sick alcoholic. " It doesn't make sense to label yourself as a

> behavior that you no longer do. I mean, I wet my diaper when I was a

> baby, and I don't call myself a Recovering Diaper Wetter!

Step One. We admitted that we were powerless over our bladders and that our

laundry bills had become unmanageable.