Is AA For Me?

by Danny Schwarzhoff - RLRA*

Unless I fit AAs "Description of the alcoholic", then AAs program of recovery is not for me. Not by design. If I go there, on my own, or by direction of an ignorant "expert", expecting asolution, they and I will be seriously disappointed.

Oh, I may "drink too much". Yes, that IS a problem. I may drink too often. I may have wrecked my health, my career and nearly died from drinking; problematic as well. But that doesn't necessarily mean that I fit AAs "Description of the alcoholic" or what AA also calls
a "real alcoholic". According to AA, my understanding is that without the aforementioned "obsession" and "allergy" BOTH, even though I may have a "problem" with alcohol, then AAs Program is NOT for me.

AAs book clearly conveys all I have just stated unerringly in these terms; terms which many people either reject or find restrictive. I've observed people, who although are unable or unwilling to qualify themselves under AAs "description of the alcoholic", still for some unknown reason wish to share in one of AAs OTHER features separately from its Program: The Fellowship of AA.

Here they find friends, camaraderie and support for whatever ails them, even if not alcoholism, often classic problems of living, even if only heavy, problematic drinking, or abusive use of alcohol. Some of them even come to AA with problems for which AA clearly states it has no solution, such as drug addiction, bi-polar disorders etc. The hot torch of the court system, an unhappy home life, an angry spouse or threatening boss, can often force those who abuse alcohol to inappropriately seek relief in AAs Fellowship; no insurance needed
and it gives a dammed good impression. Sometimes this will even get back into "The Big Bed", if you know what I mean.

The result is that a good number of folks who may be alcohol abusers and even abusers of substances other than alcohol, NOT fitting AAs "description of the alcoholic" are in AA Fellowship gatherings, called meetings, and are staying away from alcohol WITHOUT utilizing
AAs Program of recovery. And somehow they have come to think that since THEY can do it without AAs Program solely by attending meetings, that EVERYONE should be able to do it, even "real alcoholics" for whom the actual Program is designed.

These "AAs" poo poo the idea that AAs 12 steps or Program, is needed for a good life without abusing alcohol. And they a right! For them, simply not drinking works! In fact it would have worked, whether they went to AA or NOT! And their numbers grow, and continue to
grow, amongst AAs meeting attendees.

Consequently, now there are two types of people with alcohol problems in AA meetings. Those who fit AAs description and must utilize the Program in order to recover, and those who do not NEED to recover because no one CAN recover from a condition they haven't
got!

If they haven't got AAs type of alcoholism, they must find another way to solve the problem the DO have. Maybe they were just misbehaving fools, who drank too often and too much, enough to make life miserable, unhealthy and become a danger to themselves and
others. Perhaps counseling would be valuable. Although their pains are real and horrific, AAs solution proves just too drastic a set of measures to take, for they have not suffered physically and mentally the extreme sufferings of the "real alcoholic".

Their problems can be severe alright; so severe as to need some type of help. Just maybe not AAs help.

Peace,

Danny S

* Real Live Recovered Alcoholic