Replies

Al-Anon taught you to accept this drunk's list of excuses? That is terrible!

You apparently believe that AA and Alanon are more of a problem than a help. It seems that your belief is so potent that it has caused you to be antagonistic toward AA and Alanon.

Why is that?

Have you directly assisted in helping an alcoholic (not just some one who drinks) to recover from the illness?

At times you seem to have been open minded, saying things to the effect, "If it works, then fine." However, the most forceful elements of your comments seems to hold that AA and Alanon are destructive. Or at least that the stated principles of these programs relating to the character of the illness are destructive.

I'd like help anyone quit drinking who's ready if what I have to say resonates on their wavelength. AA works for some people so I don't want to take that away. But many of the principles put forth by AA are counterproductive for someone truly wanting to quit for good. They prolong their misery, almost for the purpose of helping AA expand their organization without going too far killing their hosts. AA has a better track record for survival than of helping people stop drinking for good. The root problem is their member benefit of blame and responsibility shifting. This is very attractive to the drunk, so they are more than willing to buy in. But it doesn't help them move up, on and away from their problem. Talk about "relapse", "in denial", turning over a person's free will decision making to a deity in the sky, having to change their lifestyle to spend time with relapsing drunks they would never choose as their friends, is not for everyone.

Everyone that wants to should try AA. It may work for them. For most it does not. AA and the similar medical treatment industry are not the only answers out there. There is a way to put a person's drinking problem away quickly and for good. The first step is to stop blaming others and take personal responsibility for their own choices. It can be done because millions have done it. It's difficult to help someone in a few paragraphs but it's important for people to know that if AA doesn't work there are other options than returning to the bottle.

You apparently believe that AA and Alanon are more of a problem than a help. It seems that your belief is so potent that it has caused you to be antagonistic toward AA and Alanon.

I know this post wasn't directed at me, but I believe that AA and all "12 steps" programs are bullshit. You know, the reminds me. Penn and Teller did a special on Showtime about this very subject. I don't agree with them about much, but I thought they were spot-on with this one.

I know scores of "diagnosed alcoholics" I used to hang out with in college than can no socially drink with no problem whatsoever. Even though they have a casino-full of AA "chips". Heck, I even *cough*went*cough* went to a couple of meetings myself. Docs told me I was an alcoholic. Went to AA (where I could barely breathe due to the cloud of smoke). There, I had to declare myself "powerless" of alcohol and a bunch of other stuff. Problem is, I wasn't. I just really, really liked to drink at that point in my life. Now I can throw back a brew or 10, or abstain for years altogether. Not a problem. The "12 sizes fits all" aporach to these programs is nonesense, IMHO.

Does anyone remember that term the coined a few years ago ... "weekend alcoholics". Um, yeah, most addicts can wait five days for a 2 day fix". I mean, whatever they think will fly with the sheep, they'll give wings and push off a cliff.