Although I am happy this guy has stopped drinking. 2 1/2 years is not that long of a time in the scheme of life.
Why people like him need to tear down AA is astounding to me. AA is the most successful program for alcoholics. Tried and true. I laughed when he scoffed at the idea of powerlessness.
If I were a betting man, I’d say without a support system this man will probably drink again. I truly hope he doesn’t. Declaring you are an alcoholic publicly... Even writing a book will mean nothing when you
become powerless (there’s that word again!) over the first drink. But judging by his story, he is pretty full of himself. A dangerous state of mind for an alcoholic.
Oh BS, I can stop drinking anytime I want, I’ve done it a hundred times!
Actually he didn’t tear down AA. And actually AA’s stats aren’t any better than anybody’s elses. No program out there works for more than about 1/10 of the people. Everybody is different, AA style would drive me nuts, too much spending time with other people, too much “sharing” (I hate discussing my own problems, gives me a rash). For some people that’s perfect, I’d rather be addicted to the entire drug store than 12 step.
I wouldn’t tear down AA for any reason but a program with a well documented success rate of 5%-10% at best shouldn’t be bragging. I’ve never been to an AA meeting but also haven’t had a drink, or wanted one, in 35 years. I know an AA member, 6 years sober, who assures me I’ll fall off the wagon without AA but 35 years is a long time just to be lucky. I think I know what I’m doing and sobriety is way better than insanity.
Best of luck.
I don’t particularly care if he does tear down AA. Those that read this, try it his way, and fail, will go to AA. Those that read this, try it his way, and succeed, won’t. It’s okay either way, I figure.
Of course, by NOT going to AA and working the Steps, this guy will still have all of the character defects that seperate him from God. He’ll still be the Director of HIS movie, not a bit-player in God’s. He may never know the true joy of being entirely of service to others. He will remain self-centered and self-seeking.
And THAT is a fate worse than drinking.
I’d say without a support system this man will probably drink again. I truly hope he doesn’t
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
I agree with the author in terms of AA help etc, it just isn’t for me either.
But a blanket statement about the virtues or shortcomings of AA is no more appropriate than your statement of without a support system (AA?) one will fail.
I ‘cold turkied’ alcohol and tobacco in the same week in OCT 91 (right after my 52nd birthday) and, other than an occasional NA beer, I have touched neither since and did it without AA etc.
AA just isn’t for me, but if it makes others comfortable, that is what should they should use.
I also think the point the guy is making is that if you don’t ‘agree’ with the AA concept, don’t feel it is impossible to stop.
All he’s saying is it didn’t work for him. If people see problems with the 12 steps it isn’t going to work for them.
Besides AA isn’t necessarily the best for people who are addicts. Many, many AA goers give up alcohol but become smokers as they replace alcoholism with smoking addictions. I know this, I have family in AA and have been to meetings. Most AA people will tell you as much this is very, very common.