Choice

Staying sober can boil down to just such a choice, we have learned. We can spend hours thinking of reasons that we want or need or intend to take a drink. Or we can spend the time listing reasons that drinking is not good for us and abstaining is more healthful, and listing things we can do intead of drinking.

Comments

btnben's picture

Doesn't "powerlessness" mean no choice? It's almost a dictionary definition...lol

God damn it, get me a whiskey

Bill W, Deathbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?source=patrick.net&v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

JR Harris's picture

church basements and have multiple relapses that kill many alcoholics because they aren't getting "real" help. They are getting voodoo and faith healing.

I know, I know Clara. It worked for you. Did you ever think that the only reason you survived was because you aren't a real alcoholic? It sounds to me Clara, that your male Sponsor or your friend Clancy I talked you into this fake made up disease and then unleashed you on the unsuspecting public to spread the AA faith.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

becket's picture

I'm really disappointed in your post, JR Harris. You neglected to mention the usual suspect in your reign of hate: the adulterous, LSD-gulping guru of AA, Bill Wilson, who stole from everyone and bilked a poor old woman out of her home. How come you haven't programmed your computer to generate all of the hate at one time, automatically? Why, you could practically phone in your posts!

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

JR Harris's picture

Why should I mention any of those other things? You did it for me. Thank-you.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Clara's picture

I am powerless over alcohol once it enters my body. The choice to pick it up is mine. After that...

If my past says anything about it, JR, alcohol was a big problem for me by the definition of anyone. my sponsor was my attorney for many a scrape, and every one of the involved booze. I am certainly willing to accept that I am an alcoholic.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

Pennywise's picture

The choice to pick it up is mine.

Clara, we have been over this before. I'm not trying to be a dick, but I think I've made it clear using Big Book scripture that you are powerless over the choice to take that FIRST DRINK. Beware the mental blank spots.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Clara's picture

So don't be a dick, Penny, if you'll forgive my crassness. It isn't my usual style. Why not just let people have their beliefs as they also permit you to...?

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

JR Harris's picture

You are loosing your Humility. If you don't watch out I'll tell Clancy. You are close to Midtown when it was in Washington DC AA area 13 weren't you?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Clara's picture

I was quoting someone, JR! I don't know what you mean by your last commet. I wasn't in AA when I lived in DC. I don't know anything about Midtown.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

JR Harris's picture

Personally?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Trisha K.'s picture

But we are not talking about right now Penny. You have regained the power of choice. Good for you.
Just for an experiment so we can study your power of choice you brag about. Go have a drink and lets see what happens. Yeah, I know you are going to tell me you don't want to but the lets do it anyway. So we can put to bed this choice you think you have over alcohol once ingested. You could be right?

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

btnben's picture

Read will you. Penny said that powerlessness strikes after the first drink. It is the BB that says you are powerless BEFORE the first drink. You are not really that stupid, are you?

God damn it, get me a whiskey

Bill W, Deathbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?source=patrick.net&v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

Are you sure the references don't concern an obsession with alcohol and other concomitant feelings surrounding the mismanaged life of the alcoholic; i.e. the powerlessness over the idea of drinking and not the spooky action-at-a-distance effect of a bottle rising up, uncapping itself, tilting, and pouring its contents down my gullet? Because if its the latter, I'm fuckered.

live_free_or_die's picture

...keep an eye on that Big Book...its a killer!

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

I'm not as proficient at secret messages like y'all are; I don't read as literally, am not the hermeneutic maven who instantly knows the proper interpretation, don't possess the fundamentalist vision. I yield to the boards expertise but reserve the right to make up my own fuckereded mindedededness.

live_free_or_die's picture

obvious, at least the part of making up your own..............

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

becket's picture

It's this kind of remark that makes a total sham of any encouragement to take an alternative path to sobriety. Is this what you would tell a brother or true friend? That's one of the many problems with an online forum: the temptation for some who otherwise have nothing to contribute is very great to throw in a Twitter-like slam and then back away and watch the fireworks. There are some people here who are actually trying to sort through the mechanics of instituting change in the whole "treatment industry" conundrum. I don't necessarily agree with them but I can see integrity showing through. live_free_or_die doesn't bring this to the table.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

live_free_or_die's picture

I don't need to be at the table No Balls. You can see integrity showing through? LMAO. You seem to think you have special powers?

AA/12 Step is a Shame, Sham and was invented by a Shaman.

AA/12 Steps kill people. That's all I need to know.

As for the mechanics of instituting change, I have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done. I am done sorting. As for what you have to say, or Clara or Trisha or alkie, I don't need to hear it.

So go "paint" your heart and soul with a conscience.

What is it with you artists anyway?

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

becket's picture

Numbers don't go high enough to detail how many times you have misinterpreted what I've written.

I see integrity showing through in posts by avogadno, humanspirit, and some of the other staunch antiAA posters here. Maybe you think you don't want to be at the table, live_free_or_die, but I believe you feel a need to be welcomed at the table.

Your shame/sham/shaman catchphrase is shit in my estimation. Until you can link me to a legitimate news source that provides a video showing the actual program of AA lifting a pistol and shooting a member of the fellowship, your catchphrase will remain shit.

If you don't "need to hear" what the other side has to say, and that's "all [you] need to know", then your mind is welded shut and there's nothing anyone can do about it. So go on and live out your uncerebral life and don't read what any of us has to say, even though it poses absolutely no threat to your position. That way you will be satisfied and so will we.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

live_free_or_die's picture

and sitting back to watch. It is such entertainment.

It is not my fault your posts are so easy "misinterpret" and poke ya.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

becket's picture

No one is blaming you for anything.

When you're ready to contribute something fundamental and solid, I'll be around.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

BB Kate's picture

Clara, don't forget that queer mental twist. A three-fold disease: physical, mental and spiritual.
If it was as simple as "just don't drink", we would have done that long ago.... apparently.

Ripping the Big Book a new one, One Day at a Time

It would be wonderful if more AA members carried that message instead of perpetuating the myth of the cunning, baffling, and powerful disease getting stronger with each passing day; just waiting for the poor defenseless alcoholic to let his guard down.

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

Trisha K.'s picture

Go drink and then lets have this conversation again. Because this is what we really are talking about. The alcoholic who thinks he can still drink with success.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

And that's not what I got from your post. Don't get so testy. I didn't attack you.

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

Trisha K.'s picture

When one is surrounded by sharks, one gets "testy". I did not intend my post to be felt like an attack, GG.
I actually find you to be one of the few members here to be of the same rational mind each time you post here....:-)

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

DeConstructor's picture

the real problem is the non counting of the dead people.

The AA faithful shamefully gather around the coffin and do their chants, and that is the end of it. No accountability, and no taking of responsibility. This is particularly sad in the case of suicide victims that are convinced they have a progressive, terminal, and incurable 'disease' as diagnosed by people again with NO medical training whatsoever.

AA Inc has addressed the meds issue, imploring members to stop the covert practice of telling people to stop taking meds as it was killing so many people.

http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-11_aamembersMedDrug.pdf

avogadno's picture

I was a bit confused when I read this blog post by Clara and all of the comments that followed. Actually, I am still confused.

I know that Clara is an AA member and that she's proud of it. I also know that she at least claims that she hasn't seen much of what we often complain about in her "meetings". I've noticed that many hold the opinion that she is in denial or that she might be lying. I've seen people accuse her of changing the subject and avoiding questions. Actually, I've probably been one of them from time to time. She's also been accused of being marietta, and also accused of stalking and threatening AntiD.
I personally have gotten frustrated in my discussions with her on occasion. Especially because I cannot understand why someone that seems like a nice person appears to not care about things that I'm passionate about.

I don't know for sure what is true and what is not, honestly. It’s often hard to determine in the forum world.

What I do know is that Clara’s post that starts this blog seems like rational and sound advice, yet a bunch of people posted negative comments as a response, and about the author when it was undeserving. It appears to me that it was done only because she likes AA and many of us hate it.

Is that a reason to trash someone and their post?

Does she deserve it after every comment that she makes, every day, even when it's a friendly and sound comment such as this one?

I read Clara's starting paragraph above several times and it looked to me to some great advice and also truthful. I hate AA, I really do. And for a lot of reasons.
What I don't hate are AA members simply because they are involved in the program and get something out of it. Good for them, actually.

I don't think Clara deserves to be thrashed every minute of every day just because of this. I for one will continue to call bullshit as I see it, but I'm not going to be callous when it isn't deserving. Her post doesn’t mention alcoholics anonymous at all. It’s not prejudice or rude or even one-sided. Or did I miss something.

I’m sorry that you have had to endure this Clara, I really am. I think it’s time I take a break from blogging for a couple days and sort this out in my mind. Take care All. I mean it. ~Avo

Clara's post:
"Staying sober can boil down to just such a choice, we have learned. We can spend hours thinking of reasons that we want or need or intend to take a drink. Or we can spend the time listing reasons that drinking is not good for us and abstaining is more healthful, and listing things we can do intead of drinking."

Pro Empowerment!
Truth about AA: http://orange-papers.org/menu1.html
Expose AA: http://www.expaa.org/

Pennywise's picture

Avo, it is not about Clara personally. But what she posted goes against the AA faith. As Steppers like to say, "that's not AA!!" Specifically, the Big Book is very clear that when Bill Wilson talks about powerlessness, he is talking about powerlessness over the FIRST DRINK. It is a watered down distortion of AA theology to say that we are powerless only after the first drink. Wilson believed that unless we work the Steps, we will succumb to the obsession to take that first drink no matter what, perhaps during what he called a "mental blank spot." We simply can't let people misinterpret the Big Book or the Steps in a way that makes it seem even slightly more rational. Again, that's not AA.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Trisha K.'s picture

Penny you are wrong on this but yet there is no convincing you of this. Because then your whole platform here for criticizing AA would fall apart. You seem to want get a understanding of something, whatever it may be and then say rigidly that this is what it is.
Well Penny you can keep your definition of AA. I can understand why you had to leave AA, jesbus I bet there are many things you have to drop out of with this kind of thinking.
Once we drink alcohol for many of us we become powerless. It is the alcohol that we are powerless over. To think otherwise is to "DISTORT" the BB. I bet when you say things such as this Penny your crowd gets whipped up into a frenzy...lol. (just joking)

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

btnben's picture

BB Page 43

"The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against that first drink".

Without that lie you wouldn't have to "Keep going back".

Oh - and Danny - it is "an understanding" not "a understanding". So easy to spot - what a moron...lol

God damn it, get me a whiskey

Bill W, Deathbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?source=patrick.net&v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

causeandeffect's picture

Ben, I'm begging you. Please stop. Please.

Troll free AA critical forum
http://www.expaa.org/

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

btnben's picture

He'll never learn...lol That's why he's so easy to spot.

God damn it, get me a whiskey

Bill W, Deathbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?source=patrick.net&v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

causeandeffect's picture

I'm serious Ben. I'm not kidding at all here, This isn't funny at all. Not a laughing matter. I'm begging you to please stop! If you have any appreciation at all for what Orange has done, you will stop!

Troll free AA critical forum
http://www.expaa.org/

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

"mental", not "physical"

JR Harris's picture

Everything is just a "suggestion" remember?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

We can't possibly be powerless over a bottle of alcohol sitting on a shelf. It can't come after us, enter our bodies uninvited, or convince us to drink it. That doesn't make sense. Yet, that is what the BB tries to convince us with the strange mental blank spots theory.

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

Trisha K.'s picture

You are right we are not powerless over a bottle of alcohol. But when ingested that is when we become powerless over the next bottle.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

btnben's picture

Danny...lol

God damn it, get me a whiskey

Bill W, Deathbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?source=patrick.net&v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

The nonsense I was entertaining is the nonsense in the BB. You are right. It is nonsense.

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

Trisha K.'s picture

Maybe if you stopped coming here you wouldn't have to talk about it either.
What a concept...lmao!!

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

JR Harris's picture

This site is made and designed to discuss the absurdity of the AA faith and the rogue members it produces. Don't you get it?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

becket's picture

"Danny, this is the Orange Papers!" should have some sort of reverb on it to make it sound really important.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

I didn't ask for your advice Trisha.

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

Pennywise's picture

I'm simply trying to force Steppers to stand by AA dogma and defend it if they can. After spending years listening to it, I think I've earned that right. The Big Book is clear. We are powerless over the choice to take even the first drink. I'm holding AA defenders to that assertion.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

on narrow interpretation, derived from hearsay, betrays a niggling arrogance. I could of sworn the BB relates a thing or two about its antithesis: selfless magnanimity.

Perhaps we could hash out the relevant quote and come to a mutual understanding, or perhaps you deem me lacking adequate discernment.

Trisha K.'s picture

Penny it doesn't go against AA faith, this is a persons (Clara's) experince she was writing about. Is there ever going to be a time when every one here can talk normal, for christ sake. I mean it. It is you anti-aa posters here that use all these slogans, cliches, judgmental comments and live in the AA dogma, even when you say you don't.
Jesbus, act like your normal everyday human beings and write like one. Just because someone goes to AA, used to go or has a partner that went doesn't mean we got caught up in all this stupid language or traditions used by some AA folks. I have heard more crazy comments and experiences here then I ever witnessed in AA.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

btnben's picture

You know what you can do...lol I don't think we're going to be that lucky somehow. See they're offering rewards for your whereabouts now Danny...lol

God damn it, get me a whiskey

Bill W, Deathbed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?source=patrick.net&v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

becket's picture

ben, she's begging you, for chrissakes, she's on her knees BEGGING YOU!

So am I. Please cease and desist.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

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