This is the opening disclaimer;

Alcoholics Anonymous is a program for alcoholics who seek freedom from alcohol. It is not a program against drugs. However, some A.A. members have misused drugs, often as a substitute for alcohol, in such a manner as to become a threat to the achievement and maintenance of sobriety. These incidents have caused all A.A. members to be concerned with what is popularly known as the “pill problem.”

Often as a substitute. Yep, that’s me! I also used them to offer myself the opportunity to tell “you” that I didn’t have an alcohol problem, I had a drug problem. Worked – for a while, hah!

The following are suggestions from page 5 of this pamphlet. Please, click through and read the entire publication.

1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic your automatic response will be to turn to chemical relief for uncomfortable feelings and to take more than the usual, prescribed amount. Look for nonchemical solutions for the aches and discomforts of everyday living.
2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is an active participation in the A.A. program of recovery.
3. No A.A. Member Plays Doctor.
4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding use of medication.
5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in the treatment of alcoholism.
6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the doctor.
7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from prescribed drugs.

If you’ve been “playing” doctor, please stop it, NOW! If you’ve witnessed someone else playing Doctor, lose your fear and tell THEM to stop!

Post from: Blisstree

Medications and Other Drugs

MC, you’ve motivated me. There is a topic for which I have a “purple” passion and, no coincidences, was reminded of it distinctly just yesterday.

Pink With Pink, Blue With Blue!

Newcomers have been given the opportunity to live a sober life by a God who loves them. We are all newcomers once! Thirteenth Steppers Are Killers!

With all the deviousness of a terrorist a 13th stepper preys on his/her victim. A newcomer in a fog, fresh off the streets, is not thinking with a sober mind and needs the chance to let the fog clear. And you swoop down on them for what? Your own personal agenda?

One case in point was brought to me yesterday and the serious challenge, as usual, is the 13th steppers have developed, surrepticiously, a following supposedly based in the Big Book. And a word about that – if you’re going to private meetings in groups meeting at private homes being led by individuals who have taken AA out of “sanctioned” rooms, you’re opening yourself up for trouble!

Observe. Pay attention. Yes, the women have a responsibility to communicate clearly to women newcomers (works both ways) about those that they are certain have nothing more than lust in their hearts and walk the rooms of AA without a conscience! Men have a responsiblity to “police” themselves (works both ways) and lose the fear of confronting these same types!

What do you do though when these types have seemingly raised themselves above so many others and have afforded themselves undeserved respect? Hmmmmm? Powerless? No.

Carry The Message!

Speak out about these actions! Take the truth to the source! Here’s an example;

You – yeah you! The male who has been “sober” for 6 or 7 years and makes it a habit to seek out only the most attractive newcomers after meetings for discussions about recovery. This is barroom behavior. Gain their trust with smooth talking. You big hunky hero you… You’ll save them, won’t you? Then what? They’ll owe you, right?

Act as if you’re a Big Book guru. Folks, these people are easy to spot! They’ll show up late for a meeting (because they’re above you and I), amble over to the Big Book while you’re all watching (how lame), sit down and open the book up, then share. We think they’re important! They’re not! They’re attention seekers!

Leave the newcomer women to share with women after the meetings! You damn well know what I mean… And if you don’t like me (or anyone else) telling you about it then call your sponsor. There’s a step for that!

Post from: Blisstree

Thanks MC – You Mean It’s Real? I’m Real? [Pink With Pink, Blue With Blue!]

There are those who may be ignorant of, not too mindful of, or belligerently opposed to, the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Whichever it may be, this is wrong. And more of “us” ought to seriously consider losing whatever fear we have of calling this stuff for what it is – grandiosity, self-centeredness, self-serving, destructive and other negative, non-productive descriptions.

The Third Tradition;

“The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.”

The Tenth Tradition;

“Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.”

The Third Tradition of A.A. does not say: “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.” The Third Tradition of Narcotics Anonymous says that!

No opinion on outside issues? Well, drug use and recovery from addiction is covered by Narcotics Anonymous, thankfully! It is an outside issue for A.A. Therefore, no opinion!

So, if you have a need to say “I also will use and interchange Alcohol and Drugs for one in the same during this series because they are the same” you dam* well ought to offer a disclaimer that you are expressing your personal opinion, not the opinion of A.A. Alcohol and drugs are not the same! I say that from personal experience and it is my personal opinion! If you’re a newcomer to recovery please, do not be misled by statements like these.

Additionally, be forewarned that the principle of anonymity is “the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.” If you’ve come across someone who has, for whatever reason, offered up a full name on the Internet of someone in recovery or involved with recovery, with no permission to back it up, be wary! If you’re the person who did that – fix it as soon as possible or get permission from the person you’ve exposed and add it, with some level of proof. You obviously have no clue what harm you may have caused by this type of old behavior.

In the interest of perpetuating our Twelve Traditions, I’d ask you all to review the Traditions Checklist.

Post from: Blisstree

The Traditions – Lost