MAY 29, 24 .. I WAS READING AN ARTICLE FROM THE A.A. GRAPEVINE..

I am stunned. 

I can not possibly imagine, after being active on this website for almost ten years, why I have never discussed the topic of A.A. members getting, and using, outside help and assistance from medical professionals.

We MUST begin with Tradition 5.

Each group has but one primary purpose -- to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Sports Fans, THAT IS IT for us. We share our own experience, strength and hope with other alcoholics to help them stop drinking alcohol. 

If I fall down, and break a hip, please take me to a Medical Doctor NOT to an AA Meeting!

Just stopping drinking alcohol will NOT solve each and every single life issue that we all have. 

Now let's read what page 133 of the AA Big Book says..

God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist. Their services are often indispensable in treating a newcomer and in following his case afterward.

The "Stage is now Set".

Just the other day..

I WAS READING AN ARTICLE FROM THE A.A. GRAPEVINE..

On line, on my smart phone's AAGRAPEVINE App, April 2024 issue, I continued the above article..

Back in the mid-1980's, Clancy I (who was a personal friend of mine) was saying from his speaker's podium that people who were using psychiatric medications were not working the AA Program. 

As a result of this flawed thinking, some people stopped taking prescribed medications and began successfully committing suicide!

Yes! Oh Yes! I know the above is "Old Stuff" that dates back into the mid-1980's. 

In the years since, I myself have openly shared my own issues in meetings and heard countless others do the same. The 12 Steps on the meeting wall will NOT cure physiological brain chemistry problems.

We also have (something like 349) AA pamphlets that address mental health and countless other 'outside' issues.

But I had not evenly "remotely" touched this very serious issue here on our website and wanted to "finally" do so.

MAY 10, 18 .. POWERLESSNESS .. A TEXT FROM A FRIEND ..

A friend just sent me the below text message :

"I talked all afternoon to a young man who is a recovering drug addict. He thinks because his primary addiction is Meth he can go ahead and drink alcohol with impunity. He has just completed 9 months in a half way house. How can I convince him otherwise or should I even try? He is age 22-years. I am deeply concerned."

Thanks Lonnie for your text. 

The first thing that 'jumps-into-my-mind' are our 'real' steps 1 and 2 on page 58 of the AA Big Book.

The 'real' Step 1 : IF you want what we have..

The 'real' Step 2 : AND are willing to go to any length to get it..

Then you are ready to take certain steps.

What do we have Lonnie? What is it we ask of a newcomer when we say IF you want what we have?

In AA we have a design-for-living. 

Our way-of-living, our design-for-daily-living does NOT include drinking alcohol with impunity does it?

So right-off-the-bat this young man does not seem to want what we have does he?

Another thought, another philosophy I live with:

No human being can be all things, to all people, in all places, at all times.

With an age difference of 45-years between the two of you, I wonder IF you can get past the 'age-hurdle' Lonnie. It seems to me that a 22-year old would be more apt to listen to a peer, specifically one who is in recovery from a Meth addiction.

Now let's think about our primary purpose. Tradition 1 (We can't be all things to all people), Tradition 3 (The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking) and Traditon 5 (Each group has but one primary purpose) come to mind.

Now to the real magic that created AA. One alcoholic (Bill W) working with another alcoholic (Dr. Bob).

We have a life at risk here. A 22-year old Meth Addict.  

Lonnie are you a Meth addict? Do you have experience with the use of Meth? Can you tell him it is OK to drink with impunity and remain Meth-free based upon your own actual experience?

As I basically said above, what this young man needs is this : IF he wants recovery and IF he is willing to pursue it, he needs to find another Meth addict, more his age, who is in recovery and who wants and is willing to DO anything to be free of Meth.

Only another recovering Meth addict can fully answer his questions.

To feel good, do good.

You don't want to just-drop-him. Be there for him without taking-him-to-raise. Point him in the right direction (find another Meth addict to work with) assuring him you want the best for him. But do not give up yourself and your beliefs Lonnie. The young man is responsible for finding his own road to recovery.

Smiles and Thanks For The Gift of You Lonnie.