Hi Kev
Sorry but you could not be more wrong ( I think that was poor English}
A person may join AA and take from it whatever they need and leave the rest. Some really thrive on the whole program. Others really benefit simply from the support of the group. It is an enormous benefit to an alcoholic to find there are others in the same boat.
One recieves support, encouragement and complete understanding at a time when they are trying to give up what has become their best friend(alcohol}. This best friend has become their worst enemy and it is a devastating position to be in. The mind and body have become completely dependant on this substance.
I really hate to hear people trivialize this situaution.
Of course there are some weird folks at AA - there are some weird folks everywhere
To say that a person can can kick it themselves is dead wrong
Your ex may be in and out of sobriety but there are many others who stay sober from their first meeting on through the rest of their lives.
I guess I am rambling a little but this is a subject I feel so strongly about - not something to be trivialized or wrongly advised about.
I speak from personal experience. I have not touched alcohol for over 14 years. April 13th will be my 15th AA anniversary.
I attended for only 2 yrs and have never returned, simply because I am firmly resolved and very confident that I will never ( as far as we can say never} have a desire to drink again. I have a clear picture in my head of the way I was 15 years ago and I plan to NEVER return there.
This recovery was made with the enormous support of AA members and I will allways be grateful to them. In fact I often think that I should go to a meeting or two again. Not for myself but to encourage other new members.
Oh yes - I did not work through the 12 steps or surrender to God or a lot of other things. I simply accepted the support and encouragement of the group, listened to other peoples success stories and took it ONE DAY at a TIME.
ok I've ranted long enough - thanks for listening and I hope I may have helped anyone who needs it ( it is not for anyone of us to say who needs it - nothing will work untill a person decides this for themselves }
Maggie
