A recovery thought 1 of 2
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We don’t have to remember what we said when we tell the truth.
We don’t have to try to improve the A.A. Program; its value has already been proven.
WHAT IS HEARD IN MEETINGS COMPARED TO THE PROGRAM OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Since the suggestion made by The Grapevine in the late 60’s that discussion meetings might be a good idea, there has been a change in the content of the meetings from one’s that focused on the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous to group therapy where anyone and everyone is privileged to speak on whatever might be on their mind. The result of this has been a severe decline in the success rate of alcoholics finding lasting recovery.
While there is a tendency to believe that we know so much more today, which we do in almost every area of our society, that appears not to be true where recovery from alcoholism is concerned. The truth is that alcoholism has not changed since the beginning of recorded history. God certainly has not changed since 1939. And, nobody has demonstrated a more successful Program of Recovery than the action of the Twelve Steps Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is so clearly outlined in the book, Alcoholics Anonymous. So, what’s new?
Before taking a look at what is so often heard in meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, let’s examine some of the statements made by the authors of this basic text. For example: 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. A.A. p xiii (Note: Precisely-– Exactly or sharply defined or stated. Minutely exact; not varying in the slightest degree from truth. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary–-circa 1936.)
So, let’s examine the truth!
If you are an alcoholic who wants to get over it, you may be asking-–What do I have to do? It is the purpose of this Book to answer such questions specifically. We shall tell you what we have done. A.A. p. 20
Lack of power was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power?
Well, that is exactly what this Book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself that will solve your problem. A.A. p. 45
Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered. A.A. p. 29
There is a spiritual axiom that applies to recovery from alcoholism: Noah, an amateur, with God’s guidance, built the Ark. Professionals, with all their smarts, built the Titanic.
Now, let’s review what is so often heard in the meetings.
Heard-–Just keep coming back. You’ll be OK.
That, of course, is a lie. Rigorous honesty?
BB-–Here are the Steps we took which are suggested as a Program of Recovery.
Heard--Don’t drink and go to meetings.
Don’t drink are words you would expect to hear from a non-alcoholic. If a person knew how to don’t drink, they would have no reason to go to meetings.
Heard--Don’t drink, no matter what.
Real alcoholics drink, no matter what.
Heard--Don’t drink even if your ass falls off. (How ridiculous!)
Don’t you think an untreated alcoholic would reach for a drink if his ass started falling off?
BB-–Many of us felt we had plenty of character. There was a
tremendous urge to cease forever. Yet we found it impossible. This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it-—this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish. A.A. p. 34
Heard-–I have a choice of whether or not I take a drink today.
Then why did they come to Alcoholics Anonymous?
Think before you drink. Just think the drink through.
BB-–The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. A.A. p. 24
We are without defense against the first drink. A.A. p. 24 Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective defense against the first drink. A.A. p. 43
Heard--There is no such thing as a recovered alcoholic.
Who were the authors of the basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous?
BB-–The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism. A.A. Title Page, We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as Bill. Nearly all have recovered. They have solved the drink problem. A.A. p. 17 (Note: The word recovered is used ten times in the basic text by recovered alcoholics.)
Heard-–Don’t rush into taking the Steps. Take your time.
BB–On your first visit tell him (your prospect) about the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. If he shows interest, lend him your copy of this Book. A.A. p. 94 Suppose now you are making your second visit to a man. He has read this volume and says he is prepared to go through with the Twelve Steps of the Program of Recovery. A.A. p. 96 We, in our turn, sought the same escape with all the desperation of drowning men. A.A. p. 28 If the newcomer doesn’t rush into taking the Steps, they will most likely rush into a bar or liquor store.
Heard-–The gift of sobriety.
Gift-–A present that is given, not paid for.
BB-–Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. A.A. p. 14
Heard-–My sponsee(s).
BB-–That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about, that his whole deportment shouts at the new prospect that he is a man with a real answer, that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou, nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful; that there are no fees to pay, axes to grind, no people to please (except your sponsor), no lectures to be endured--these are the conditions we have found most effective. A.A. ps. 18,19
Continue to speak of alcoholism as an illness, a fatal malady. Talk about the conditions of body and mind that accompany it. Keep his attention focused mainly on your personal experience. Explain that many are doomed who never realize their predicament. Doctors are rightly loath to tell alcoholic patients the whole story unless it will serve some good purpose. But you may talk to him about the hopelessness of alcoholism because you offer a solution. You will soon have your friend admitting he has many, if not all, of the traits of the alcoholic. If his own doctor is willing to tell him that he is alcoholic, so much the better. Even though your protégé may not have entirely admitted his condition, he has become very curious to know how you got well. A.A. ps. 92,93
The word friend is used many times in the basic text. The word prospect is used eleven times in the basic text. The word protégé is used one time in the basic text. The word sponsee cannot be found in the basic text. Nor can we find the word sponsoree. As a matter of fact, neither can they be found in current dictionaries.
Heard-–Who keeps us clean and sober?
BB-–And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone—even alcohol. For by this time sanity has returned. A.A. p. 84
Even so has God restored us all to our right minds. A.A. p. 57
Yes, God will restore us to sanity where alcohol is concerned, if we take the Steps, but He doesn’t give baths.
Heard--1) I can’t help myself.
2) How could I possibly help anyone else?
BB--1) We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. A.A. p. 84
2) We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others. A.A. p. 132
Heard–-This is a selfish program.
BB-–Selfishness–self centeredness! That we think is the root of our troubles. A.A. p. 62 Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I receive. But that would be in great measure. A.A. p. 13 While I lay in the hospital the thought came that there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might be glad to have what had so freely been given me. Perhaps, I could help some of them. They in turn might work with others. A.A. p. 14 It is important for him to realize that your attempt to pass this on to him plays a vital part in your own recovery. Actually, he may be helping you more than you are helping him. A.A. p. 94 (Note: A paradox of Alcoholics Anonymous. We come to Alcoholics Anonymous to save our lives and learn we must pass our message of hope on to others if we are to live. So, the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous is both selfish and it is selfless.)
Heard-–We learn to live life on life’s terms.
BB-–Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us. A.A. p. 77
It would appear from this that we are to learn to live our life on God’s terms.
Heard-–I haven’t had a drink today so I am a complete success.
BB--The elimination of drinking is but a beginning. A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs. A.A. p. 19
Heard-–It really doesn’t make any difference what your problem is. A.A. has the best Program.
BB-–The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. A.A. p. 562
What part of only stop drinking do so many people not understand? Each group has but one primary purpose-–to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. A.A. p. 562 An A.A. group is for alcoholics only (Tradition Five).
We all have problems other than our drinking but alcoholism is our only
common problem. And the founders of over two hundred Twelve Step Programs that have nothing to do with drinking would disagree with what is heard.
Heard-–Don’t make any major decisions for the first year.
BB-–Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:
That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives.
That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.
That God could and would if He were sought.
Being convinced, we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will and life over to God as we understood Him. A.A. p. 60
Heard--I’m feeling pretty crappy. I need a meeting.
BB--I was not too well at the time, and was plagued with waves of self-pity and resentment. This sometimes nearly drove me back to drink, but I soon found that when all other measures failed, working with another alcoholic would save the day. Many times I have gone to my old hospital in despair. On talking to a man there, I would be amazingly lifted up and set on my feet. It is a design for living that works in rough going. A.A. p. 15
Heard–-You ought to go to ninety meetings in ninety days.
BB--We (chronic alcoholics) are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink. A.A. p. 24
Why would a right thinking member of Alcoholics Anonymous direct a newcomer to sit in meetings with untreated alcoholics to listen to them discuss the issues, problems, ideas and opinions of untreated alcoholics for ninety meetings in as many days? That has proved to be a death sentence for many alcoholics.
An A.A. bumped into an old drinking buddy on the street recently and said, "Neil, I haven’t had a drink in over 7 years." To which he replied, "Boy, you must be thirsty."
Always Say A Prayer