I was talking to a friend today, whose latest sponsee had decided to take Penn and Tellers' advice, and quit going to AA.
So, I went on youtube, and checked out some videos featuring Penn and Teller, 'debunking' AA.
Only one problem, guys: it seems to actually work.
I've been going for a fair while now. And, I've found that, out of people who attend meetings regularly (most meetings are held weekly, so "regular" attendance of meetings would indicate at least one per week), and who do the twelve steps along with a tutor (aka sponsor), and pray (to whatever god they choose) on a daily basis, the majority (i.e. over half) get and stay clean and sober. At least, until they change their course of action.
I've met a bunch of people who've relapsed; I've rarely run across anyone who's told me that they were actually doing all these things, and still went back out. I've met plenty of people who tell me that they had been doing all those things, and then slacked off...
One of the best things I like about some of these videos about 'deprogramming oneself from AA', and the like... the insistance that Alcoholics Anonymous is some sort of cult.
Uh, yeah.
Stop and think of it, don't most cults tell people:
-M
So, I went on youtube, and checked out some videos featuring Penn and Teller, 'debunking' AA.
Only one problem, guys: it seems to actually work.
I've been going for a fair while now. And, I've found that, out of people who attend meetings regularly (most meetings are held weekly, so "regular" attendance of meetings would indicate at least one per week), and who do the twelve steps along with a tutor (aka sponsor), and pray (to whatever god they choose) on a daily basis, the majority (i.e. over half) get and stay clean and sober. At least, until they change their course of action.
I've met a bunch of people who've relapsed; I've rarely run across anyone who's told me that they were actually doing all these things, and still went back out. I've met plenty of people who tell me that they had been doing all those things, and then slacked off...
One of the best things I like about some of these videos about 'deprogramming oneself from AA', and the like... the insistance that Alcoholics Anonymous is some sort of cult.
Uh, yeah.
Stop and think of it, don't most cults tell people:
- that they are a member if they say they are,
- that a small donation to help defray costs of literature, coffee, and rent would be appreciated - but is by no means required (and a number of meetings specifically ask that new people not donate for their first few visits),
- the only requirement for membership is a desire for recovery,
- they are free to believe in whatever concept of a god they choose,
- and that the door is over there, if you don't feel that this is working out for you.
-M
