tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811987797106653811.post1445351594727860930..comments2023-11-02T08:05:59.061-07:00Comments on Eclectic Recovery: The 12-Step GauntletUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811987797106653811.post-37551493284711085892009-09-03T05:58:32.700-07:002009-09-03T05:58:32.700-07:00I'm so sorry you had such a negative experienc...I'm so sorry you had such a negative experience. Addiction is so very hard. Please remember that the BB only uses the word "powerless" once...one time, and that is in the formation of the first step. The steps were formulated so that we would never have to feel powerless again.<br />Some people "I think" really aren't alcoholics and addicts and they are not going to be helped to recovery from something they don't have.<br />I wish for you to find the road that leads you to inside peace and happiness, that lifts you out of whatever despair that fills your heart.<br />It is what I found in the 12 steps, but not everyone does.<br />I come from a group that does not buy into the new age "meeting makers make it" and all that nonsense, where a sponsor would never foster dependence from a sponsee, but simply takes them thru the steps and encourages their dependence on God. <br />Personally I have never felt "fear" in the program.<br />I have recovered. The people I hang with have recovered.<br />I wish you well.Pammiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00513814300181006348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811987797106653811.post-81743736531738515862009-08-31T17:30:56.712-07:002009-08-31T17:30:56.712-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811987797106653811.post-89536071279776220872009-08-21T07:08:01.782-07:002009-08-21T07:08:01.782-07:00Thanks for your comments, everyone.Thanks for your comments, everyone.Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12153878171712341666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811987797106653811.post-56113544989371739442009-08-20T20:05:53.392-07:002009-08-20T20:05:53.392-07:00I appreciate what you wrote, Angela, and all the c...I appreciate what you wrote, Angela, and all the comments. I don't have anything to add, as they said it all (from my point of view) but just wanted you to know that I'm glad to see you here. xo, OOliviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06058356843151306428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811987797106653811.post-50857450092903160002009-08-20T17:20:22.156-07:002009-08-20T17:20:22.156-07:00One of my biggest issues with AA is the fear facto...One of my biggest issues with AA is the fear factor. The idea that if you don't attend meetings then you are doomed to use again seems alarmist to me. And designed to evoke dependency on the group and/or sponsor.<br /><br />I also hate all the head nodding that goes on when someone stops going to meetings and the group as a whole jumps to the conclusion that the person has become a destitute drunkard just because no one has heard from the person. *Hullo* here I am. Still sober for almost 4 years! But, again, it's a good scare tactic.<br /><br />I do think that the 12 steps can be applied in a positive manner (check out the Women's Way through the 12 steps, which puts a nicer spin on the process). I think it is the group that takes hold of something that could be positive and twist it into a set of rules and punishments that are simpler to follow (because who doesn't love finger-wagging?) because dealing with ambiguity is frightening to many people. The harder road is determining for yourself what recovery means and going about achieving it. AA really is very much like an organized religion in this regard.Judithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16354890444410748967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811987797106653811.post-83828866437447235392009-08-20T09:20:42.387-07:002009-08-20T09:20:42.387-07:00Anything based on fear can never work for long. Th...Anything based on fear can never work for long. The whole underpinning of AA's program is all about fear. <br /><br />Recently, I discovered that hidden element at Weight Watchers. The leader was making a pronouncement that "anyone who doesn't come to meetings gains all their weight back." <br /><br />It turned me off completely. I thought "the hell YOU say" and walked away. <br /><br /><br /><br />~*thailandchanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171731740204067889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811987797106653811.post-52369539332335242602009-08-20T07:49:42.730-07:002009-08-20T07:49:42.730-07:00This is a great list. A friend of mine had a very ...This is a great list. A friend of mine had a very similar experience with OA.julesgp187https://www.blogger.com/profile/13106555659222648187noreply@blogger.com