Posted by yellowbrickroad on January 2, 2005, at 1:24:00
In reply to Re: If we had a nickel for every overnight cure... » yellowbrickroad, posted by alexandra_k on January 1, 2005, at 23:42:25
I have found, to my own surprise, that there is a lot to like about AA and NA, too. That came when I met several people in different meetings who were not at all like those I had encountered for years.
I've actually found some good meetings, too.
My previous bad experiences had to do with certain groups that, IMO, distorted the program into a RELENTLESS quest for flaws, failings, and sins. All that constant self-examination began with some kind of assumption that we were there to root out the evil in us. It was more like a cult, in that way.
But I've since met sober people who don't do it like that. At all. And I always think that the free sources of help (like AA) are invaluable.
I have often wondered if the reason I found my way to the "bad" groups for such a long time is that their message was a strong one, and it spoke to the self-hatred I was filled with. Now that I'm older and less interested in finding out "what's wrong with me," I'm more likely to find the supportive people in the program. In any event, I'm glad that I can still consider AA to be an option. And I'm glad that I live in an area with so many meetings that it's possible to find ones where I'm comfortable.
YBR
poster:yellowbrickroad
thread:436519
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20041128/msgs/436662.html