tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post3929783857271297602..comments2024-01-16T05:48:40.398-07:00Comments on Being Sober: Old Time AAMary Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156474205414127488noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-65954248439503168262012-12-16T13:45:11.386-07:002012-12-16T13:45:11.386-07:00Bryan, Thanks for coming by and commenting.
A...Bryan, Thanks for coming by and commenting. <br /><br />Actually the two "shockeds" is just something I say, sort of for emphasis. I will have to watch Casablanca again to see what you are talking about!Mary Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156474205414127488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-9913008457434455682012-12-16T13:09:51.717-07:002012-12-16T13:09:51.717-07:00Great stuff, Mary. Off topic, but I came across th...Great stuff, Mary. Off topic, but I came across this post awhile back, and for the life of me could not wrap my brain around the "shocked-SHOCKED" reference. Just watched Casablanca, again, and heard the same thing. Not sure if this was intentional, but brilliant nevertheless! Thanks for the laugh.<br />Bryan ZBryan With a Why?https://www.blogger.com/profile/07861095327770834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-87431473228553626992012-05-01T22:39:33.688-06:002012-05-01T22:39:33.688-06:00My two cents:
I regularly attend BOTH fellowships...<b>My two cents:</b><br /><br />I regularly attend BOTH fellowships. When at AA I speak about how my higher power though AA, relieved my insanity. When at NA meetings I speak of my using and how NA works for me. Out of courtesy to other members I do not cross 'borders' when I speak. Nor do I chastise those new-comers who stray into the other program's domain while sharing. <br /><br />My Big Book has a story on page 439 titled "Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict". This was one of the few personal stories I have read. Someone at an AA meeting early in my recovery pointed me to that story which resonated. I tend to rely on the first 164 pages, however this story had much to do with me coming back. <br /><br />When pressed by members as to my time in the program, I will tell them, however, I point out I woke up at 10AM (or whatever) and if they woke before me, they have longer than I because My program works a day at a time. I am just a likely to mention, "We are not cured of our Alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition."<br /><br />As to my resentment and coffee pot.... I resolved to let Principals come before Personalities. I stopped whining about the flavor of the program in this neck of the woods. Instead I decided I'd try to infect new-comers with the 'hard-core' AA I was taught when I was a some old timers new pigeon. I never cease to be astounded by what the new-comers teach me. <br /><br />I stand corrected.MattChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660513938374639349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-72734729743838843492012-05-01T17:32:59.965-06:002012-05-01T17:32:59.965-06:00Dick B. doesn't seem to be able to resist comi...Dick B. doesn't seem to be able to resist coming by here every couple of months and boasting about his lengthy sober - I'm sober longer if you would care to get into that pissing contest.<br /><br />He has the nerve to talk about AA tradition while selling books about AA. A low $249. for the set! <br /><br />His books are about the biblical roots of AA. That's fine, I am a graduate of a 4 year Biblical School. But AA wisely decided to chose the term "higher power," and not shove religion down the throats of newbies who could find their own way there.<br /><br />Dick has written numerous books (42?) about AA and surely knows that Bill Wilson himself wrote about addicts not belonging in AA UNLESS they were also alcoholic. <br /><br />But he cares not one whit about AA tradition, he is too busy talking about what GREAT WORK he has done. Everyone else who has stayed sober any number of years has also done this work, or they would not be sober, but they learned some humility along the way.Mary Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156474205414127488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-39564632704656209242012-05-01T13:50:43.426-06:002012-05-01T13:50:43.426-06:00As one who has consistently worked with newcomers ...As one who has consistently worked with newcomers in A.A., has taken many through the Steps, and can truthfully credit 26 years of continuous sobriety to the support of the A.A. fellowship and the power of God, I have a comment about the "addict" and the "alcoholic." First, I have never met, among the dozens of newcomers with whom I have worked, one who has not been plagued by excessive, uncontrolled abuse of both alcohol and drugs. Second, had I eliminated help for these people, I would have been left with nobody to help. Third, both Bill and Bob were alcoholics and addicts. Finally, the solution to their misery was placed in the hands of our loving Creator--who had and has the power to help and heal all those who suffer. I have found nothing in the ravages of alcoholism and addiction which does not lend itself to the power, love, forgiveness, guidance, healing, and grace of Almighty God.Dick B.'s son Ken B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15849845661502523671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-85613724428533725382012-02-20T00:29:46.718-07:002012-02-20T00:29:46.718-07:00It is very clear from Bill's Story and from Dr...It is very clear from Bill's Story and from Dr. Bob's story that both men were addicted to alcohol and high powered sedatives. Both related the details. And there appears to be no evidence that either pursued his addictive behavior after each was cured and said so. www.dickb.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-51924408540497385962011-12-28T07:17:52.442-07:002011-12-28T07:17:52.442-07:00Matt, thanks for the comment. I don't know wh...Matt, thanks for the comment. I don't know what to suggest other than getting your own coffee pot and starting a meeting. A closed meeting.Mary Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156474205414127488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-40468299125950829322011-12-27T16:33:47.566-07:002011-12-27T16:33:47.566-07:00Thank you for the great post. I guess I'm a co...Thank you for the great post. I guess I'm a couple years behind the curve considering the original date of this thread.<br /><br />I have been traveling on the road full time for the past few years, surviving on Grapevines, phone calls and a few stray meetings. We recently settled down in a small town who's major employer seems to be a Rehab. Consequently, the local AA meetings have left me feeling displaced. I've been going to meetings in surrounding towns, but they all seem the same. Whatever you call it, this is not my father's AA, the AA that has kept me sober for the past 26 years. <br /><br />I don't want to be the outsider that moves into town and causes trouble but I refuse to accept this 'flavorless' brand of AA. Watch out now, I have a case of the arse and a coffee pot. =)<br /><br />Any suggestions as to how can I contact other recovered alcoholics who have started old-time basic meetings?MattChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660513938374639349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-66852575391921740412011-11-03T00:59:32.096-06:002011-11-03T00:59:32.096-06:00My name is Joe and I am an alcoholic. We too have...My name is Joe and I am an alcoholic. We too have experienced the lack of single purpose in AA today so we did soemthing about it. We cant give it to those that dont want it but we can to those that do. A friend and I have started several meetings which are single purpose aa meetings and in the format we use a statement that bluntly states the facts of what an AA group is about. THis statement from AA pamhlet 16 entitled The AA Group has been incorporated into our format which is read at the beginning of each meeting. It is this "Experience with alcohol is the one thing all AA members have in common. It is misleading to hint or give the impression that AA solves other problems or knows what to do about drug addiction" We then empower nad teach the chair people how to chair a meeting and what to do if the meeting starts getting off track which rarely happens once its known that htis meeting is for the alcoholic who wants to stop drinking. My sobriety date is 12-19-87 and thanks go to God and AA, no doubt about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-24473445287063306472011-09-20T20:21:10.810-06:002011-09-20T20:21:10.810-06:00I know what you mean about AA changing. 19 years ...I know what you mean about AA changing. 19 years ago they did not have worksheets that are mandatory in this town. And we have this secret society called SISTERS OF SOBRIETY, and if you do not bend to their will or meet the criteria set to keep certain types of women out, they ostracize you. That is the hand of AA? No that is the hand of self-will, just like that designer AA, if it isn't wait Bill and Bob did its not for me. I don't need to memorize passages like in Sunday school because someone believes in a sponsorship line and all must hail the Grand, Grand, Grand sponsor and do their bidding and not mix with those who are not in the secreat society. Where are all the real AA's?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-59218348240398013382011-07-30T17:34:52.392-06:002011-07-30T17:34:52.392-06:00Right on!Right on!Mary Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156474205414127488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-65797260841622870732011-07-30T17:31:46.999-06:002011-07-30T17:31:46.999-06:00I have been clean since my first meeting in 1983.
...I have been clean since my first meeting in 1983.<br /><br />In the movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Michael Caine explains to Steve Martin that he is stealing the money for worthy purposes, one of which being that he is maintaining an english garden. Michael Caine says "It takes 300 years to properly grow and english garden."<br /><br />The same concept is true in NA and AA. When we violated the traditions and affiliated with an outside organization, started signing legal documents and endorsing the drug court cause (we met with judges and encouraged them to force people to attend NA and AA on penalty of going to prison) we forever changed the nuture of NA and AA. <br /><br />The chaos caused the oldtimers to flee. Soon the newcomers outnumbered the oldtimers, before it was the other way around. The oldtimers quit teaching the newcomers how they stayed sober and sat quietly, lest they be castigated for most everything they said. <br /><br />The recovery rate went to zip and new NA/AA was off and running. It was like a flight school where the students argued with the one remaining instructor. <br /><br />Federal Drug Court which operates under the authorits of Homeland Security just tripled its budget, thus flooding the courts with more and more people that had no interest in quiting. Now they wear gps ankle braclets so the issue of court signing is moot. We have been overrun. <br /><br />The most effective treatment for drug and alcohol which happens to be at epidemic levels and climbing was blown up by the federal government just as our country's economy was. <br /><br />It is doubtful it will ever rebuild like that english garden. The courtslip is the darling of every codependent person in recovery. All they have to do is cite one person that got sober and the oldtimer trying to follow the traditions loses. But what cannot be denied is that the courts are killing the host. <br /><br />More and more meetings go dark for lack of secretaries. Secretaries who have fled the chaos. I suppose that the federal government will start paying people in NA/AA to secretary meetings one of these days. <br /><br />Nope, the only thing that works is for a person who has hit a bottom to attend stable meetings with a clear message of recovery populated with good sponsor material and oldtimers who will not let the new person seize control of the meeting. <br /><br />In a few moer years all of what I have said will become painfully clear. But for now, its all about getting that judge to dump more people on 12 step. <br /><br />If you have not worked the traditions it all makes perfect sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-64753417931122685302011-07-17T19:35:36.995-06:002011-07-17T19:35:36.995-06:00hola DIS mr. P.
WELL i THOUGHT I WAS AN OLD TIME...hola DIS mr. P.<br /><br />WELL i THOUGHT I WAS AN OLD TIMER WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF sOBRIETY. Today there are so many people think that a person has to have 30 to 40 yrs to be an oldtimers ;their so full of crab cauz they have less probably. Iam considered an oldtimer im my home group and thats fine with me.The thing is change is happening in AA but it has to be in Gods time. New comers want to change things to their benefit and cuz they know better;Bullshit. I dont listen to them but ther are groups and people in AA that do . They do this to please them so as to make them happy and so they cna keep coming back.To me this kind of action is Fatal.God is in charge of their sobriety not me.WE try to help if they wanta stay sober but not at the expense of other lives.Oldtimers I grew up told me to shut up and listen to experience strength and hope not to my own constant bullshit.Oldtimers are the Gatekeepers and we have experience<br />strength and hope but we have to stand our Ground.mercedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958810571516396444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-23271257617481961082011-04-02T08:32:31.216-06:002011-04-02T08:32:31.216-06:00I made my first meeting in 1976 and stayed sober o...I made my first meeting in 1976 and stayed sober on 4/1/83. I never known a time when AA members called new people or helped them in any way. (Except for 13th Steppers offering rides to and from meetings) What I have seen change since 76 is that meetings are getting smaller and smaller and the general age in my area getting older. In 76 at least 40% of the people at meetings were under the age of 25. Today only 10% (maybe less) are under 25.Gerald Bollingerhttp://aaconnections.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-60411285817935092332011-04-01T22:08:53.463-06:002011-04-01T22:08:53.463-06:00One of the best ways to learn about "Old Time...One of the best ways to learn about "Old Time AA" is to study our history. When I first came in almost 25 years ago, I never heard a word about the roots until a young man told me that A.A. had come from the Bible--which it did. Then I dived into A.A.'s own literature like DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, Pass It On,and A.A. Comes of Age. The more I read, the more I realized what a gap there was between the facts and the vacuum of history. As a result, I've spent 20 years writings some 42 books and 500 articles about A.A. history and its roots. One, for example, was The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml. It was written when I finally learned why words like "Creator" "Maker" "Heavenly Father" "Thy will be done" and "faith without works is dead" are found even in today's 2001 edition of the Big Book. Further, the best way to understand the successes of early A.A. is to learn what they did in 1935 that produced the successes. God Bless, Dick B.Dick B.'s son Ken B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15849845661502523671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-86732995777770561612010-07-29T16:58:23.117-06:002010-07-29T16:58:23.117-06:00At the end of a horrible day, I come home to the a...At the end of a horrible day, I come home to the above charming comment. <br /><br />I guess I am a "fundamentalist" who is responsible for people thinking AA is a cult.<br /><br />I never said I had all the answers. A couple of people had asked me what was different about AA in the 80s - and this is what I wrote about. <br /><br />Sometimes I really hate putting myself out there and doing this - go ahead - tell me to stop it then.Mary Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156474205414127488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-59501314659918457822010-07-29T15:55:39.354-06:002010-07-29T15:55:39.354-06:00This essay is rather sad. A person is claiming to...This essay is rather sad. A person is claiming to know "old time AA" How would a person who got sober in 1984 know such a thing? Isn't old time aa what happened in the 30's and 40's? And who says it is any better than AA now? Where is the evidence? This essay is clearly written by someone who wishes for the "good old days" with the good old days being when she sobered up. And when she sobered up must be the "right way" and "old time aa". <br /><br />AA has survived and prospered because it has grown and change with our society. If the author actually read the traditions she would understand that. <br /><br />The world has moved on from when I sobered up in 1975. It has moved on from 1984 when the author sobered up. It will move on from today. And Fundamentalists like the author cannot stop it.<br /><br />Unfortunately it is people like her that allow many to say AA is a cult.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-48113353609784654092008-12-29T10:10:00.000-07:002008-12-29T10:10:00.000-07:00its funny, i found this blog while doing a search ...its funny, i found this blog while doing a search for "oldtimers finding an aa sponsor". only 17 years sober, and i too have noticed a change in AA. i remember the days of the "12 step call list", hanging out at the central office doing service work, and my original homegroup had a call list (if we didnt see you in 2 weeks, we called!). now im in a new city and AA is different, and finding a sponsor with more time than me is hard. luckily i belong to a large sober motorcycle group and have an outlet to share where im at and get input on "the next right thing" for me to try, tho its online. i miss the personal one on one interaction...nice blog...odatJust a Sober Bikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11522597446981146465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-27767531623696331662008-09-18T20:46:00.000-06:002008-09-18T20:46:00.000-06:00Great post MC; right on topic. My homegroup has a ...Great post MC; right on topic. My homegroup has a service position called "goodwill ambassador" who's duty it is to call members that haven't been spotted in the meeting. Not the aa police but a little hint that their missed. It's not done perfectly but it's thought about and ideally wished by our group conscience. <BR/>-Dave from MarylandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-74644708420142399672008-09-18T07:35:00.000-06:002008-09-18T07:35:00.000-06:00Thank you, MC, for sharing this. It's hard to push...Thank you, MC, for sharing this. <BR/><BR/>It's hard to push past feelings of fear and inadequacies to reach out and help another. I don't want to stay stuck in fear. Done that my whole life. <BR/><BR/>Hankindistincthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15729719239472085619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-55170833712454131892008-09-18T06:55:00.000-06:002008-09-18T06:55:00.000-06:00Yesterday I visited an acquaintance in the hospit...Yesterday I visited an acquaintance in the hospital. He had been attending my daily 6AM meeting for severtal months. He has congestive heart failure, not an old guy like me -grin-, but an old-timer, sort of.<BR/><BR/>He asked me to report to the group that he is sober and expects to return in a couple days. I did this.<BR/><BR/>My 'expectations were that people would ask his room number, etc., etc. or How is he?<BR/><BR/>Not even an acknowledgement did I notice (and I talk -too- loud, always!) Yes, things have changed, but I cannot "fix" them, in fact, I cannot afford to even get excited over these changes. One Day At A Time, Steve<BR/><BR/>I will go visit John again, today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-88595974785270252412008-09-18T06:48:00.000-06:002008-09-18T06:48:00.000-06:00This is a double dip, sorry 'bout that:Ya know, I ...This is a double dip, sorry 'bout that:<BR/><BR/>Ya know, I also miss the "old-time" Alcoholics Anonymous which I 'used to know'.<BR/><BR/>For long time I resented people who got to take 30 days out of their lives, and devote every minute to recovery. I never got to do that. But, after seeing the 'percent' of recoverers, I'm grateful to God for smiling on me, at that particular moment I was ready.<BR/><BR/>Give me the "good old days" of AA, but I'm afraid they are gone forever, as every period of "good old days"! At least we still have the Traditions, let us guard them CAREFULLY and WELL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-73906746939108848542008-09-17T15:07:00.000-06:002008-09-17T15:07:00.000-06:00I really don't know this..if you have a closed AA ...I really don't know this..if you have a closed AA meeting, can't you ask someone nicely to leave?<BR/>(drug addict, etc)<BR/><BR/>Although the points you make do go deeper than just that.Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09496172669599418214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-79725620591695895852008-09-17T14:19:00.000-06:002008-09-17T14:19:00.000-06:00Oh crap...you know what I forgot?Please send me th...Oh crap...you know what I forgot?<BR/>Please send me their names and phone numbers (the old home group)-I'll have a close and personal talkin' to with them.Pammiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00513814300181006348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16472085.post-45108477800164174762008-09-17T14:18:00.000-06:002008-09-17T14:18:00.000-06:00Well you know how I feel. But that never stopped m...Well you know how I feel. But that never stopped me from saying it again :)<BR/>New AA (treatment center invented AA) is killing Alcoholics and Drug Addicts.<BR/>ARRRGGGG "you did not get here by accident".<BR/>Ya know Mary, what we really feel is closer to sadness than anything else, don't you think?Pammiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00513814300181006348noreply@blogger.com