Wednesday, June 01, 2005
More on the Cult of AA
Jim, better known as Bitter Waiter, posted this yesterday in response to my May 21 question "Is AA a Cult?" Its well written and he makes some very valid points. I thought you would all like to read it.
AA is interpreted as a cult because of the religious content, the claim that it is "the only way" and that ex-drinkers who are not members are dry-drunks, which is an oxymoron!It is about the only game in town having permeated society with it's ideas and messages, and much of it's "success" can be attributed to the fact that the addiction treatment industry is huge and folks "keep coming back"! Mostly AA has abysmal abstinece rates, I think because the forces that be push people into the program via courts and prisons. That and many know of no other alternative! I bet AA would go back to it's high sucess rate if the cohersion stopped and people has options.To people who seek it out and know the other options, willingly decide its for tham and are happy- that's super cool. Better than using, for sure. ¶ 6/01/2005 06:26:00 AM
AA is interpreted as a cult because of the religious content, the claim that it is "the only way" and that ex-drinkers who are not members are dry-drunks, which is an oxymoron!It is about the only game in town having permeated society with it's ideas and messages, and much of it's "success" can be attributed to the fact that the addiction treatment industry is huge and folks "keep coming back"! Mostly AA has abysmal abstinece rates, I think because the forces that be push people into the program via courts and prisons. That and many know of no other alternative! I bet AA would go back to it's high sucess rate if the cohersion stopped and people has options.To people who seek it out and know the other options, willingly decide its for tham and are happy- that's super cool. Better than using, for sure. ¶ 6/01/2005 06:26:00 AM
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I can understand what Jim is saying. I do think however that the percentage of people who are forced to go there is not as high as he may think it is.
I go to numerous meetings a week and not because I was forced to go by any means. The people that I meet mostly have come from detoxes who are sick and tired of being sick and tired...Sure, there are people there who have to get court slips signs, but the people who chose to go, far outnumber the people who are forced to go.
I wasn't even aware of of AA, I actually stumbled on it in support of a friend, but it was there while I was sitting there that I realized I ended up in the right place.
I go to numerous meetings a week and not because I was forced to go by any means. The people that I meet mostly have come from detoxes who are sick and tired of being sick and tired...Sure, there are people there who have to get court slips signs, but the people who chose to go, far outnumber the people who are forced to go.
I wasn't even aware of of AA, I actually stumbled on it in support of a friend, but it was there while I was sitting there that I realized I ended up in the right place.
# posted by 
: 7:52 AM
: 7:52 AM
I can agree with most of that. I donot agree that AA says it's "the only game in town." As my sobriety evolves, I become more aware tht there are many ways to become sober and stay sober. The big difference, to me, is that AA shows me how to LIVE sober as a happy, joyous and free person.
AA saved my life, literally, so it's hard for me to be objective. But I also know it works.
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AA saved my life, literally, so it's hard for me to be objective. But I also know it works.
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