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Why do addicts go to AA?

It's okay, I am well travelled as well. Perhaps we're the same kind of person.. haha

OK stuckinaloop. I'm gonna make this real easy to understand (at least for most people; hopefully you'll qualify too). Actually, come to think of it, I'll answer your very mature post to me in two different ways. Choose whichever you prefer. And please, do me a favor and try not to answer this by something like, "I don't give a fuck what you think, you shit spewing motherfucker!", or something like that. It's just so pathetically childish.

Answer #1:

Grow up, would you? This isn't a competition, a fight or a bragging board. It's (hopefully) a place where people engage in meaningful conversation that helps, informs, prompts others to think.

It's obvious to me that you rather become aggressive, defensive and (hopefully unintentionally) - incredibly confused.

If your brand of 'spiritual awakening' is the kind they foster at your meeting hall, remind me to avoid it like the plague.

Way to represent 12 step philosophy like a pissed off, jealous, cognitively-challenged, clueless child.

Answer #2:

I wasn't 'spewing a bunch of bullshit'. I wasn't 'attacking' anyone or anything. And, for the second time, I certainly wasn't trying to show off by naming the places I've traveled to. Do you attend 12 step meetings? If so, I'm amazed at how knee-jerk your reactions are, how angry you seem, and how resistant to thinking out different points of views you apparently are. (Actually, I'm amazed at how either opposed to or incapable you are of thinking, period). No offense. Just an observation. I could be wrong and you could be the greatest guy in the world (though I just kinda doubt it).

If I had never been to a 12 step meeting and was considering it, then read one of your posts...I think I'd decide to avoid it like the plague. I'd probably think something along the lines of, "Wow, is that the kind of result going to AA brings about in people? No thanks, not for me." Stuckinaloop: if you like your meetings and what they do for you, it might be a good idea to not come across on an internet discussion board like a pissed off, defensive, stubborn, insulting asshole. Just a thought.

As for your having said, 'Way to keep on point, you've got me so beat,' my words went over your head faster than Homer can eat donuts didn't they? I named off the different meeting locations I've been to over the many years I've been to meetings in order to illustrate how they all had my observation of religious flavor in common. That's called keeping on point. When I posit something, I always make an effort to back it up with evidence, either theoretical or empirical, in order to give my statements some credibility.

Lastly, it's not about "getting anyone beat". It's about meaningful communication and honest communication that hopefully prompts more meaningful communication. A discussion board like this one isn't about housing fora in which people purposefully post information to "beat out" other posters. It's about observations, experiences, concerns, info-seeking on the very serious issue of addiction.

Oh, and you never answered my question...Your interpersonal style, your anger, your evident feeling that this is about competition and put-downs - not about idea-sharing, making points backed up by personal experience, about curiosity and concern...

Is that the kind of "spiritual awakening" they're about at your 12 step meetings? Is that what your higher power is all about? Sounds like it's all working out miraculously for you buddy. Congratulations, and keep coming back. :)
 
I used to date someone who was on the board of directors or some shit for NA [clearly a relationship that didn't last very long], & I asked him that same question. He said that although there's obviously no one answer or reason, two of the biggest reasons are definitely 1) because, honestly, lots of Alcoholics are kind of "snobby" & exclusive about their addiction, & tend to be judgemental towards other drug addicts, for the same reasons society on the whole is so judgemental towards other drug addicts I'd presume. Yes, Alcohol addiction IS no different than any other substance addiction. Addiction is addiction, ultimately, & addicts & addicts no matter what they're addicted to; however, lots of Alcoholics don't see it that way. 2) Many Alcoholics find they can relate better to other Alcoholics than they can to people who are addicted to another substance... Which I can kind of understand.
 
Well over 50% of the A/A members I know are addicts first, alcoholics second, though most wont admit it during a meeting. It's been my experience that A/A draws a more solution oriented crowd and N/A draws a more "live in the using day" crowd. Eitherway, A/A, N/A, C/A are based on the 12 steps and if you're serious about sobriety and willing to put in the honest and hard work it can and does change lives.

The 12 steps are spritual, not relegious. They are also the "suggested" steps Bill W. took as a means of changing his spirituality to rely on his higher power-God and not the bottle to create a new life of sobriety. These are rooms of suggestion where experience, strength and hope are spoken about to help those who are thinking about getter sober and to help on continued sobriety.

I'm an opiate addict-hate alcohol. I found A/A to work best for me, no one judges my DOC. All they care about is me coming back.
 
Well over 50% of the A/A members I know are addicts first, alcoholics second, though most wont admit it during a meeting.

Please do us all a favor and stop spewing out ridiculous anecdotal statistics. 50% of AA members are addicts? Addicted to what? Survival? Money? Power? Providing for your family? Nice Clothes? Or only alcohol? which is nothing more than just consuming a substance to numb out trauma that you do not want to face.

Once the trauma is faced and dealt with on an emotional level there is no reason to drink any more because there is no longer any trauma that needs to be numbed out of the picture.

Enough of this "powerless" bullshit 12 step way of thinking. One is never "powerless" over substances. It just appears that way until you dig a little deeper. When AA was formulated by Bill W. in the 1930's they did not know then what we know now.
 
K12...

Normally I would defend my position-but hey, everyone has a right to their opinion. As you quoted "Well over 50% of the A/A members I know are addicts first, alcoholics second, though most wont admit it during a meeting. ." That means the members I know personally, well yes, that percentage is correct. As far as what their addicted too, hmmmm, well this is a drug forum-take your best guess.
 
K12...

Normally I would defend my position-but hey, everyone has a right to their opinion.

Please Defend you position. This is nothing personal. I don't even know you. I am sure if your position is more appropriate it could benefit many members. If not, then it won't. However, I think that my position, in light of what has been learned by society in the last 80 years since Bill W. formulated A/A, is a more effective way of dealing with substance abuse than admitting powerlessness.
 
K12...

I"ll speak only about myself, if others gain anything, great.

It takes everybit of my being not to pick up a rig 10 times a day. I went to rehab 3 months ago and relapsed 3 times before getting 35 days clean. A huge part of me hates being clean... i have a love affair with dilaudud and H. After 2 DUI's, reckless driving, forged rx's and jail time i realized no matter how hard i tried i couldnt stop. I dont know about all 12 step groups, just mine. I found its easier to stay clean and have hope to turn my life around in the presence of others that want the same for themselves. The next step for me if i relapse will be prison or death. let me repeat... I love dope, wish i could be fucked up 100% of the time. Unfortuntley, my boss, my family and our court system dont agree with my desire.

For those that have the ability to chip H and be weekend warriors-God Bless you, tell me your secret. For now, A/A is my best shot at living.
 
Please Defend you position. This is nothing personal. I don't even know you. I am sure if your position is more appropriate it could benefit many members. If not, then it won't. However, I think that my position, in light of what has been learned by society in the last 80 years since Bill W. formulated A/A, is a more effective way of dealing with substance abuse than admitting powerlessness.

Considering you get high off loperamide I think you have a ways to come before you understand the need for na/aa. Most people don't start to feel powerless until they have gotten real deep in addiction.

When you have lost everything, your house/material possessions, family, loved-ones, kids, and have continued to use, found your self institutionalized numerous times in jail, mental hospitals, ONLY to do it all over again, you can surely become powerless over your addiction. You loose the ability to make rational decisions. It is not a lack of willpower. It is widely accepted that addiction is a neurological disorder.



AA/NA is a great tool. To each their own..obviously it's not for everyone.

IMO what has been "learned by society" in the last 80 years makes the importance/power of aa/na more clear than ever.


Once the trauma is faced and dealt with on an emotional level there is no reason to drink any more because there is no longer any trauma that needs to be numbed out of the picture.

Addiction is not by any means a always a result of some trauma faced in ones life. Anyone, with any background, any color, and race, rich or poor, male or female can face addiction.

Alcoholics/addicts do not need a reason to use.
 
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recovering alcoholic

I was very fortunate that I only had a serious alcohol problem for a year before I got sober. In the beginning I did go to AA but once I got over the hump I stopped going cause I did get a little tired of some of the rhetoric. I do belive in cross addiction but that's subjective. I feel as long as you can manage your life with whatever your substance of choice is than things are ok. I found that friends and family were more supportive. This is not to say that I don't abuse some things now but they haven't impacted my life in a bad way. I'm a good wife and mother and never endanger my children. Its all about knowledge and harm reduction. An addict is an addict of course but I believe the two things can be different. AA helps some but not all. I don't know much about NA but AA sometimes helps those who have other addictions. When people think of their higher power it could mean anything so if you think you need it give it a shot. Be safe
 
Well, let's see. A lot of addicts I know go to AA solely because of the amount of clean time in AA as opposed to NA.

It seems NA is filled with chronic relapsers and sick people trying and trying. Going to an AA meeting also takes one out of his element, being around alcoholics discussing their alcoholism is a lot different than hearing a junkie talk about shooting up or smoking crack...really. This is the main reason why the second fellowship was started in the first place, because an 'addict' couldn't relate with the 'alcoholic'...(same thing, in all respects)
 
Makes me happy religion is not so big over here in Europe and is hardly ever mentioned of. There are a lot of muslims though but Ive never met a drug addict whose religion is Islam, so I do not believe religion ever will be taken up in such meetings.

But eligion helps some people and if they choose to stick with it, it is up to them. But I agree I hate it when they assume everyone share their beliefs. I can't blame north americans though as I heard atheists face a lot of discrimination over there, so some may not have a choice but to hide their real beliefs. Is it a bigger problem in the south?

SOrry, but I see religion, especially christianity and islam as a lame excuse for personal ignorance and hatred. Ive met a lot of tolerant religious people though and there are no problems with them.
 
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