To each their own, to be sure, but AA did do it for me - a few funny notes : AA folks describe themselves as “not a glum lot,” seek to live a life that is “happy, joyous, and free” and have “rule 62” not to take themselves seriously.
An interesting note here is I did not bring any religious baggage, so I think that helped me a whole lot.
The women I met in AA are the most badass, tough, wild, fierce group of women I’ve ever met.
Appreciate the thoughtfulness of this piece, thank you.
I started my sobriety in both AA and NA, traditional 12-step programs, though I stopped going after five years of heavy involvement, I do owe a debt of gratitude to them. I have been happily sober and clean for forty years and am an addiction therapist. These programs aren’t for everyone. There can be an aspect of judgement there where people are evaluated by how many meetings they go to and how tightly they adhere to “the program.”
I was taught to “take my own inventory” (e.g. evaluate my own sobriety, not other people’s). Evaluating other people’s sobriety should requested or in the hands of a sponsor or therapist. or something you request, not a knee jerk reaction. It drives people away. I’m gonna do a post on this…
So much here. This hit on so many of my experiences in sobriety. My brain has been at that piano and although I’m glad I experienced aa for the knowledge of what it is I will never sit down to play that sobriety tune again. 6 years an honestly still searching for “happiness” but that’s no different than before. It may not exist in the way I want “it” to but man I’m fucking glad I’m free from alcohol and pot.
Great article! It deserves so many more likes. Looking forward to more. Thanks for writing what my brain knows but can’t quite articulate.
I appreciate it, Trace. And as for the articles getting “traction” don’t worry. “People will come, Ray. People will come.” But frankly, even if they don’t, I’m gonna keep doing it. Before I quit drinking I wrote literally nothing (haha literally). Outside foundation, the closest I came to this was snarky comments on instagram posts. The aspiring writer who popped out when the booze cloud went away was truly a gift. So I honor his presence by telling his story.
"Thinking yourself to be insane and/or defective are prerequisites for A.A". Very Christian-y, isn't it. Understandable why there's a 40% drop out rate in the first year.
I have a very close relative who did A.A. and we squabble all the time about it. He says “you’re talking out your ass, you don’t know what it’s about” and I say “yeah, I am super grateful that I never needed to go because a lot of you A.A. people are insufferable zealots.” (Notice, AA people that I said “a lot” and not “all”)
To each their own, to be sure, but AA did do it for me - a few funny notes : AA folks describe themselves as “not a glum lot,” seek to live a life that is “happy, joyous, and free” and have “rule 62” not to take themselves seriously.
An interesting note here is I did not bring any religious baggage, so I think that helped me a whole lot.
The women I met in AA are the most badass, tough, wild, fierce group of women I’ve ever met.
Appreciate the thoughtfulness of this piece, thank you.
AA also did it for a close family member of mine (who doesn’t like to be name-dropped so I’ll leave it out), so I appreciate it for that, for sure.
I started my sobriety in both AA and NA, traditional 12-step programs, though I stopped going after five years of heavy involvement, I do owe a debt of gratitude to them. I have been happily sober and clean for forty years and am an addiction therapist. These programs aren’t for everyone. There can be an aspect of judgement there where people are evaluated by how many meetings they go to and how tightly they adhere to “the program.”
I was taught to “take my own inventory” (e.g. evaluate my own sobriety, not other people’s). Evaluating other people’s sobriety should requested or in the hands of a sponsor or therapist. or something you request, not a knee jerk reaction. It drives people away. I’m gonna do a post on this…
I look forward to the post, Tim, and I appreciate your insights!
Thanks Dan! Will let you know when it comes (next week or two).
So much here. This hit on so many of my experiences in sobriety. My brain has been at that piano and although I’m glad I experienced aa for the knowledge of what it is I will never sit down to play that sobriety tune again. 6 years an honestly still searching for “happiness” but that’s no different than before. It may not exist in the way I want “it” to but man I’m fucking glad I’m free from alcohol and pot.
Great article! It deserves so many more likes. Looking forward to more. Thanks for writing what my brain knows but can’t quite articulate.
I appreciate it, Trace. And as for the articles getting “traction” don’t worry. “People will come, Ray. People will come.” But frankly, even if they don’t, I’m gonna keep doing it. Before I quit drinking I wrote literally nothing (haha literally). Outside foundation, the closest I came to this was snarky comments on instagram posts. The aspiring writer who popped out when the booze cloud went away was truly a gift. So I honor his presence by telling his story.
"Thinking yourself to be insane and/or defective are prerequisites for A.A". Very Christian-y, isn't it. Understandable why there's a 40% drop out rate in the first year.
But as you said, it's free. No harm in anyone giving it a try.
I have a very close relative who did A.A. and we squabble all the time about it. He says “you’re talking out your ass, you don’t know what it’s about” and I say “yeah, I am super grateful that I never needed to go because a lot of you A.A. people are insufferable zealots.” (Notice, AA people that I said “a lot” and not “all”)