Comments on: Medication and AA members. Why do some members think they can tell others what they can or can not take.

By: massive

massive — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:52:09 +0000

cynthis- Hi – so true. AND we are trying to get the word out. There is a DOC film being made to do this. Especially the youth, young woman and minors. They need to be stopped. Many adults and parents I talk to have no idea how unregulated AA and NA are.

By: aafree2

aafree2 — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:38:50 +0000

Cynthis,

I never liked AA functions and attended very few over decades. The meetings were all I could handle (o:
They were very boring to me and the worst part was that i would be depressed afterwards.

By: aafree2

aafree2 — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:34:39 +0000

Marie said;

” I think the part in “how it works” where it says “some of us have grave mental disorders but can recover if we have the capacity to be honest” almost implies that the program can help the mental disorders.

I believe your right. I think it also implies, that if you dont follow their distorted “so called program”; you dont have the capacity to be honest. Just one of the many manipulative approaches you will encounter in those rooms to coerce you into conforming.

By: Marie

Marie — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:08:45 +0000

Co-ed AA functions are very dangerous. They give the wolves (sexual predators) a golden opportunity to find sheep (vulnerable AA members) to prey on.

By: Cynthis Morio

Cynthis Morio — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:28:11 +0000

AA is horrible. I always talked to a psychologist when I was screwed up…not a chain-smoking “Sponsor”. Ha ha, I know they don’t all smoke! Sober conventions and dances are horrible meat markets. When I went to a convention with a friend I said “this sucks and is sooooo boring! I can’t believe you all think this is fun. How do you NOT use drugs here?”

By: Marie

Marie — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 05:12:56 +0000

I was at a meeting where a newer woman was saying how she loved AA and felt great and was off her anti-depressants and the whole room clapped and someone said “what a great testimonial!” It was weird. I’m really happy that the woman feels so great that she’s not depressed anymore – that’s great. I think what was weird was the woman who said “what a great testimonial.”

I think there is this attitude that if you really “work the program,” you will be happy. And there is a tendency to think that if someone is not ‘happy, joyous and free,’ they are not working the program. That is not true. And I think the part in “how it works” where it says “some of us have grave mental disorders but can recover if we have the capacity to be honest” almost implies that the program can help the mental disorders. And that passage is read at every single meeting.

And sponsors and old-timers are put in a sort of “guru” position with newcomers. I’ve heard so many times “get a sponsor and do whatever they say.” The sponsor-sponsee relationship is a setup for abuse. It’s almost impossible for a relationship with such a power differential to be healthy. Newcomers also look to ‘the group’ for advice. It’s all a setup for bad advice to be given out and since alcoholism is a medical issue, people are essentially giving out medical advice.

By: Panda2

Panda2 — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:58:32 +0000

I spoke with a Board Certified Psychiatrist, double Boarded in Addiction Medicine and she said the other day ” This is a realm these Steppers need to STAY OUT OF, they ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS! PERIOD!”. It is pretty clear that they stop their drug of choice and then start rambling lunacy as if they have medical degree’s which they do not, telling people to stop taking their med’s. If ANYONE says this to you in AA / NA whatever just simply ask ” And your medical degree is from where again? ” . Better yet, just keep them out of your medical history, it is none of their business. The fellowship is just that, a support group NOT A DOCTORS OFFICE! People have committed suicide after going off their meds after listening to these dumb asses. Listen to your Dr. and be careful of these fools!

By: Massive

Massive — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:25:28 +0000

When I first was preparing to Leave AA I began going to Smart Recovery meetings. A dr who was in the SMART meeting told us how angry he was when he heard AA members giving medical advice.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:07:12 +0000

I agree with what Mary stated in this thread. I have heard and seen the same thing. And they will say things like ” Your nor really sober!” I feel like saying ” AND YOUR MEDICAL DEGREE IS FROM WHERE AGAIN? ” I have that line, lined up for a few people if I bump into them again.

By: Massive Attack

Massive Attack — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:30:34 +0000

bobby- You are not a dr and cant play Dr. Its dangerous for anyone in AA to act like they know whats best for anyone else .

Especially if they are NOT A DOCTOR. I agree that I would prefer people who are sober/clean in a way I am but that was when I was in AA. I don’t care anymore. I don’t think its my business. It isn’t my business. Even if someone needs to smoke medical m for anxiety rather then take xanex. I still have no opinion.
Being Judgmental is what AA has become all about from my perspective. There very little warmth and love and actually no support. AA is a dinosaur.
I’d rather go to the Museum then go there!