SMH article on AA

[Anonymous]

btw... I am really high right now.  8-)

[try another castle]

btw... I am really high right now.  8-)

Go back to step 1 and admit you are powerless.

[Anonymous]

Of course, we have a disease that can only be cured with drugs and alcohol, how lucky are we.

[Anonymous]

I think AA has been severely diluted in the US at least. The other poster is correct in that is has become a place for socialization. A place where someone can be sexually gratified by any number of "newbies" hoping to quit drinking by sexual osmosis. That is not AA.though These places do exist under the cover of the name.
I choose not to attend those meetings or "clubs". Again,the message is not about touting a trophy chick/dood. I do however ascociate with some awsome people in recovery. They have a way about them that is attractive. There comes a certain amount of happiness that comes from having a life. One that anyone would be proud to have.One that I never thought existed.
I can type a hundred positive experiences that I have had in AA.I can also type 200 negative ones.Whats the point? Its kinda like being in school and deciding which crowd to hang with.We gravitate to what we know.Its only when our mind is open to something different that we truly learn.
I celebrate a milestone in recovery today. For the peron that didnt get the shit kicked out of them for alot of years.This milestone is further evidence that something good has come out of the time spent listening to someone telling them what worked for them. I dont make an awful lot of meetings these days,however if someone in need called,I would certainly come runnin.
Interesting article. Though the writer sounds like he has an axe to grind with AA. Its really too bad.They ask nothing of you. The courts have been sending people to AA for a long time. Its flat ass wrong.They know it too.But are too ill-equipped to deal with a drunk/addict. They will send you to jail,but that becomes costly to the municipal court and perspective county.AA is free..... Do the math
cheers

[Anonymous]

AA is a false prophet. They hear confessions and put their "program" into the role of God. Don't confess to people on the street, go to a Catholic priest or psychiatrist. People are keeping an eye on them.

[Oz girl]

quote="try another castle"]
Besides, why choose your friends or socialize based on someone's history of substance abuse? (Unless you are planning on using again, that is.)
But I digress, I'm speaking about group-oriented recovery in general at this point.[/quote]

Well you may not choose to socialise with people from your group therapy outside of this. Or you may choose some of them as your friends but not others. This to me is no different to a french or yoga class (I am aware some AA groups encouage this at the expense of your normal social circle and agree this is not healthy at all)
 
someone else also raised going to a psych or to confession. if that is what works for you then i am all for it. But it is not for everyone. Some dont beleive in psychatry. *many* dont in catholicism!

I also agree with you that the powerlessness issue can be a double edged sword because it is demotivational for many. This is why my original question was what alternatives to AA are there for those who prefer a group approach. But i disagree with your criticism of a support group as being an inherently negative model.  People often get comfort in the thought that their problems are not unique to them. People who are going through the same thing may be able to offer some kind of practical assistance and understanding that loved ones and freinds can not. For these resons a group approach can be a good thing for many. Afterall people are inherently social creatures.

[Anonymous]

We usually make fun of the groups we have no use for.. it's easy to make fun of overeater's anonymous when it isn't a problem, etc.

[Goobyjow]

jesus