Leftist opinions on Alcholics Anonymous (AA)...

[Os Cangaceiros]

I was just wondering what people here thought of this organization...

I've only come into contact with it recently, as I'm supposed to attend one meeting a week (for a non-alcohol related offense, ironically). As someone who doesn't have a problem with drinking, it's somewhat interesting to view the dynamics of the group...I've always taken for granted the fact that I can have a beer and not want to get hammered, but listening to some people's incredibly fucked up stories about their alcohol and drug related exploits makes me thankful that I don't have a problem with alcohol/drugs. A lot of the stories about people helping each other through their addictions were inspiring. Some of the "higher power" talk is a little alienating, though.

[727Goon]

I dont really have an opinion on them, bu fun fact: Kurt Vonneguts uncle was the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I dont really have an opinion on them, bu fun fact: Kurt Vonneguts uncle was the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Bill W?

Some people in the meetings can quote shit out of his book (the "big book") like they're quoting from the Bible: "On page sixty, paragraph two, two lines in they talk about..."

[bcbm]

the success rate for people who go through aa is the same as people who don't.

[Os Cangaceiros]

that's kinda fucked up.

I wonder why AA is so famous...

[leftace53]

I feel that for people that go to AA to stop drinking because they become violent/abusive when drinking, AA only takes away a catalyst, and not the actual issue. There is probably something within that person that is angering them about someone else, getting them to quit drinking may get them to stop being violent, but it doesn't take away the motivation they may have had.
I've never been to AA (the difference between alcoholics and drunks is that alcoholics go to meetings), but I imagine people may do some soul searching while in there that can actually deal with the motivation for any abuse they caused while drunk. I have heard of the higher power kind of thing, and it creeps me out.
I don't know the success rate of AA or anything, but hey if it helps to get in groups and talk about addictions then sure why the hell not.

[The Red Next Door]

I feel that for people that go to AA to stop drinking because they become violent/abusive when drinking, AA only takes away a catalyst, and not the actual issue. There is probably something within that person that is angering them about someone else, getting them to quit drinking may get them to stop being violent, but it doesn't take away the motivation they may have had.
I've never been to AA (the difference between alcoholics and drunks is that alcoholics go to meetings), but I imagine people may do some soul searching while in there that can actually deal with the motivation for any abuse they caused while drunk. I have heard of the higher power kind of thing, and it creeps me out.
I don't know the success rate of AA or anything, but hey if it helps to get in groups and talk about addictions then sure why the hell not.

That exactly why my mom is going there. she is ms. betty brutality
when she drunk and she is a total ***** when she drunk too. My mom is an angel but when she drink she turn into the mother from HELL.

[Animal Farm Pig]

I don't dig the superstition or cultishness of AA. I went to a few Secular Organization for Sobriety (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_Organizations_for_Sobriety) meetings a few years back. I enjoyed them much more than any AA meeting.

[The Douche]

I was ordered to attend one meeting, some guy told his story or whatever, his job was to go around the country over-seeing the shutting down of manufacturing plants and their outsourcing to the third world. He said it was the best job he ever had but he lost it cause he was a drunk. I said "good, asshole", they asked me to leave and I had to find another place that held meetings so I could get my paperwork signed.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I had to find another place that held meetings so I could get my paperwork signed.

That probably wasn't hard...they hold multiple meetings every hour/half-hour, at what seems like nearly every hour in the day in my city.

[Il Medico]

This thread reminds me of a shirt some drunk tourist was wearing last time I was in Orlando. It read: "I'm not an alcoholic! I'm a Drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings."

[leftace53]

(the difference between alcoholics and drunks is that alcoholics go to meetings)


It read: "I'm not an alcoholic! I'm a Drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings."

Great minds read the same shirts.

[Il Medico]

Great minds read the same shirts.
:thumbup1: