Links and downloads

Share Magazine: the official magazine of Alcoholics Anonymous in England and Wales

New Pharmacological Treatment Strategies for Relapse Prevention

Participant Observation of Alcoholics Anonymous: Contrasting Roles of the Ethnographer and Ethnomethodologist

Social networks as mediators of the effect of Alcoholics Anonymous

See also Links and downloads
 

Mars landing! One small step for Wayne!

Well we don't propose to discuss further Wayne P's current circumnavigation of the solar system. However In his latest offering (via the unendorsed Road to Recovery (Plymouth) cult group website) an act of contrition is almost presented, but then undermined by some rather bizarre posturing! Something along the lines of: “Well I shot myself in the foot but then hobbled on regardless (sounds like a good title for a Carry On film!) undeterred by my act of extreme stupidity(?), and moreover rendered (apparently) all the more heroic for it!” More interestingly though this rather rambling piece is illustrative of the controlling (and spiritually debilitating) sponsorship system which underscores the cult's philosophy(?). We discover that Wayne “took the steps (?) 24 years ago” so on that basis we'd have to assume somebody in their fifties or sixties. During this time he has been accompanied by a sponsor “With an arm around my shoulder or a boot up my ass”, this poor unfortunate apparently doomed to a lifetime of keeping (rather unsuccessfully - and whilst hopping on one foot presumably!)) Wayne on the straight and narrow (ie. the Road of Happy Destiny). Now this does rather beg the question: Why would any adult require such supervision? It might be understandable if one were dealing with a juvenile delinquent or a more than slightly truculent teenager. But someone in their fifties? Surely not! The law, certainly, regards someone of this age to be capable of making sound decisions, and of possessing a capacity to distinguish between right and wrong; in other words of acting both judiciously and ethically. However the main impact of the cult sponsorship system (some of whose unhealthy tendencies are seeping into AA) is to render impotent the sponsee, curtail their faculty of judgement, absolve them from the exercise of responsibility, and moreover separate them from the full consequences of their actions (as in “My sponsor said...”, “My sponsor told me....”, “I always do what my sponsor....” and so on). Thus they are trapped in a cycle of futile dependency, and are quite unable to function apparently without reference to this font of all wisdom, their All-Powerful, All-Seeing and All-Knowing sponsor. As for the deleterious impact on the latter this is patently obvious. The relationship simply serves to pander to their craving for power and turns a budding control freak into an egocentric monster (see narcissism)... eg. David B, David C, Clancy I, Mike Q …..and sundry other 'big fish' swimming around (in circles) in little ponds! Both Bill W and Dr Bob warned of the dangers of “sponsor worship” and “unhealthy dependency”, an admonition which the cult have clearly elected to ignore in pursuit of their own twisted agenda. Their notions of sponsorship err at best towards sentimentalism as they adopt a patronising even proprietorial attitude to their 'charges' (e.g. my sponsee, or even worse my “pigeon” (the latter widely regarded in Britain as a type of 'flying rat')), and at worst towards the sinister as in Joe McQ's comment about 'sponsorees' [sic]: 
 

“But an alcoholic can do just about anything you make her do. If you insist that she do certain things, she’ll get them done” and so on in a similar vein.

Far from encouraging the individual to develop a relationship with a Greater Power of “their understanding” he or she is offered instead an all-too-frail and transient human version, and this despite the clear warning to the contrary:

“Probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism” (BB. Chapter 5)

The second rate here is offered as if there were no choice when in fact in real life (or for adults at least!) there are ALWAYS choices, some of which though we'd rather not make!  And they are OUR choices - not someone else's!

Facts: There is NO mention of either sponsorship, sponsees or sponsors in the Big Book, in the preamble, in the steps or in the traditions (and as far as we know in the Concepts either). The word “sponsee” (or indeed “sponsoree”) will not be found in any dictionary.

But if you're absolutely determined to get a sponsor at least have the good sense to do a bit of research. Firstly see here: Questions and Answers on Sponsorship.

Next - there's no rush! Sponsorship is NOT one of the essentials of recovery! But honesty is!

Finally - don't be too easily impressed. The following can easily be dispensed with: circuit speakers, Big Book 'experts', the local guru (no matter how prettily they speak!), anyone who's been immortalised on audio media (CDs and the rest), members who are apparently almost orgasmic with gratitude ALL of the time, the "misery is optional" brigade, service bores, religious nutters, sponsor obsessives, and all other sundry emotional manipulators. On the other hand maybe the following might be worth a second look: boring people who are just getting on with it, raising kids, going to work and all that routine kind of stuff, who don't make speeches, and just tell their story without any big fanfare or fuss!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS We've recently heard (via our reporter from the Canterbury (Kent) cult convention) that sponsors should now be regarded as “Godfathers”! Can we take it from this that we are all shortly to be made “an offer we can't refuse” by someone who bears a marked resemblance to an overweight hamster with a serious speech impediment? And by the way …. look out for the horse's head!

Links and downloads

Cults, Faith Healing and Coercion

Spirituality and recovery in 12-step programs: An empirical model

Is Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings after Inpatient Treatment Related to Improved Outcomes? A 6-Month Follow-up Study 

Alcohol and Alcoholism

See also Links and downloads

AA Minority report 2012 (continued)(17)

Are today’s AA members generally being made fully aware of the depth of the mental illness of alcoholism?

Dr. Harry M. Tiebout. M.D. (Therapeutic Mechanism of Alcoholics Anonymous, The American Journal of Psychiatry, January 1944.

“Characteristic of the so-called typical alcoholic is a narcissistic egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnipotence, intent on maintaining at all costs its inner integrity. While these characteristics are found in other maladjustments, they appear in relatively pure culture in alcoholic after alcoholic. In a careful study of a series of cases, Sillman reported that he felt he could discern the outlines of a common character structure among problem drinkers and that the best terms he could find for the group of qualities noted was ‘defiant individuality’ and ‘grandiosity’. In my opinion these words were accurately chosen… … … This experience I label for want of a better term, a ‘psychological awakening.’… … … In retrospect, it is apparent that the patient became aware of his basic ego centricity. For the first time he was able to penetrate behind the façade of his rationalisations and defence reactions and to see that always hitherto he had put himself first. He was literally unaware that other souls existed except insofar as they affected him… … … While one can question the permanence of this new pattern, there can be no question as to the fact that the experience itself occurred…. … … The narcissistic component in the character is submerged, at least for the time being… … Regardless of his final conception of that power, unless the individual attains in the course of time a sense of the reality and nearness of a Greater Power, his egocentric nature will re- assert itself with undiminished intensity, and drinking will again enter into the picture…” (Extracts) (AA Comes of Age, Appendix E:b, page 309-317)

ALCOHOLISM AS A MANIFESTATION OF ALLERGY W.D. Silkworth

Medical Record, March 17, 1937

“Alcoholism is considered by many physicians a chronic condition that gradually unfolds itself to a dismal end… … … It is our purpose to show that there is a type of alcoholism characterised by a definite symptomatology [sic] and fixed diagnosis of a constant and specific pathology; in short, that true alcoholism is a manifestation of an allergy… … … he now has to drink from necessity in order to keep going… … Later, irritability and lack of concentration supervene. He is not the man temperamentally that he used to be… … …he is compelled to increase the amount he consumes, and a prolonged spree replaces a short intoxication… … …He has a feeling of anxiety which amounts to a nameless terror… … …At this point, even during periods of partial or complete sobriety, he develops a state of vague fear, then depression and lack of concentration… … … He is under such tension in the effort to control himself that he has to have a drink in order to hold himself together… … But he believes he must have it, even though he realises that, in his particular case, a single drink will plunge him into such a condition that a prolonged spree will be the inevitable result. After the first drink, and only then, does he experience the physical phenomenon of craving… … … I can not emphasis too strongly the point that this man does not go on a spree for pure deviltry or desire…… The inevitable conclusion is that true alcoholism is an allergic state, the result of gradually increasing sensitization by alcohol over a more or less extended time…” (Extracts) (Medical Record, March 17, 1937)

Bill. W. Letter to Dr. Carl Jung, 1961:

“My Dear Dr. Jung … … This letter has been long overdue…. … … Though Rowland H., has long since passed away, the recollections of his remarkable experience while under treatment by you has definitely become part of A.A. history…. … … … Having exhausted other means of recovery from his alcoholism it was about 1931 that he became your patient … … … I believe he remained under your care for perhaps a year… … … He then relapsed into intoxication ... … … … Then followed a conversation between you that was to become the first link in a chain of events that led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous…. … … First of all, you frankly told him of his hopelessness, so far as any further medical or psychiatric treatment might be concerned. This candid and humble statement of yours was no doubt the first foundation stone upon which our society was built … (Extracts) (AA Grapevine January 1963. Language of the Heart page 276-279)

Dr. Bob:

“You see, back in those days, we were groping in the dark,” Dr. Bob said. “We knew practically nothing of alcoholism.” (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers page 104)

“Medical textbooks weren’t very helpful, either, Bob said. ‘Usually, the information consisted of some queer treatment for D.T.’s, if a patient had gone that far. If he hadn’t you prescribed a few bromides and gave the fellow a good lecture.” (Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers page 105)

A list of some of A.A.’s other roots:

Dr. W.W. Bauer; American Medical association. A.A. Comes of Age p.4

Dr. Earl M. A.A. Comes of Age p.4

Dr. John L. Norris, (non-alcoholic trustee), Pass it On page 268

Dr. O. A. Kilpatrick, psychiatrist [in charge New York State mental institution, nonalcoholic, spoke 2nd Intentional Convention St. Louis 1955], Pass it On, page 358

Dr. Ester L. Richards, Pass it On, page 201

Dr. Leonard V. Strong, Jr.(non-alcoholic trustee), Pass it On, pp181-184

Dr. A. Wiese Hammer [wife Helen; Philadelphian; told friend Judge Curtis Bok owner publisher Saturday Evening Post about A.A.; had Jack Alexander do story; secured Philadelphia Group 1st meeting rooms, introduced Dr. Stouffer chief psychiatrist Philadelphia General Hospital to A.A., visited other cities with A.A. members to talk A.A. up; paid their expenses, offered buy club house], Language of the Heart, page 362

Dr. Stouffer, Chief psychiatrist Philadelphia General Hospital Language of the Heart, page 363

Dr. Dudley Saul [chief resident of St. Lukes’s and Children’s Hospital], Language of the Heart, page 363

Dr. Kirby Collier [psychiatrist, with Dr. Harry Tiebout; Dr. Foster Kennedy responsible for Bill speaking at 2 medical societies, endorsed paper Bill read 1944 Medical Society New York annual meeting, early advocate A.A], Language of the Heart, page 370

Dr. Dwight Anderson [with Dr. Kirby Collier persuaded Medical Society of New York State, 1944, and Psychiatric Association, 1949, to let Bill W. read papers about A.A. at annual gatherings], Language of the Heart, page 370

Dr. Dan Craske, [Chicago doctor with spinal fluid theory of alcoholics], AA Comes of Age, page 22

Dr. Brown, [Evanston, Indiana, introduced several patients to Earl T], AA Comes of Age, page 22

Dr. Johnstone, psychiatrist, AA Comes of Age, page 29

Dr. Foster Kennedy, [world renowned neurologist; attended and spoke at John D. Rockefeller's A.A. dinner February, 1940, represented medical profession; with Dr. Harry Tiebout and Dr. Kirby Collier ; responsible for Bill speaking to two medical societies; defended A.A. in A.M.A.; endorsed the paper Bill read at the 1944 Medical Society of New York annual meeting; used term "X factor." "There is something at work in A.A. that we do not understand. We call this 'the X factor.' You people call it God. You can't explain God and neither can we -- especially at the New York Academy of Medicine."], AA Comes of Age, page 183

Do statements such as the following in public relations give an impression of A.A. As being religious?

“The origins of Alcoholics Anonymous can be traced to the Oxford Group, a religious movement popular in the United States and Europe in the early 20th century. Members of the Oxford Group practiced a formula of self-improvement by performing self-inventory, admitting wrongs, making amends, using prayer and meditation, and carrying the message to others”.

http://www.aa.org/aatimeline/timeline_h1.php?lang=_en

Early A.A. history does appear to tell us that the more we focus on the “religious /spiritual” aspect in our public relations and newcomer relations, the less appealing we will be to the majority of still suffering alcoholics, and to the

professionals who refer them to us. It would appear the same is true today.

“Scared Off” AA Grapevine November 1998

“I could not agree more that when a meeting is closed with hand-holding the Lord's Prayer, we may lose many a newcomer. This has been my experience over the years. I have "lost" many a hard-bitten alcoholic who has scornfully left, saying: "I want none of that religious stuff!" and the like.”

For myself, I also have a feeling that once more organized religion, in this case, Christianity, is being subtly introduced into our program.”

“Cult-like or welcoming? Reluctant conformity” AA Grapevine December 2010

“I am a former member of a religious cult, and my children consider AA to be similar in some ways. I am also not comfortable with holding hands and saying the Lord's Prayer at the end of a meeting for the same reason. AA is a spiritual, not a religious, program. I conform because that is how I've been taught and I don't want to appear different, but I would love to see this change for the benefit of everyone in the Fellowship, regardless of beliefs.”

“Why are we shouting? Chanting is bad for AA’s public relations, an old-timer asserts”. AA Grapevine September 2010

“…By 1988, in my experience, the "Hi, Bob!" chant was pretty much commonplace at meetings in the Northeast. This is a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, where we share our experience, strength and hope.

It is not a cult, religion or group therapy… … … An AA friend was watching television in the late 90s' when a show portrayed a facsimile of an AA meeting… … … My friend said that her husband actually laughed out loud when the group chanted: "Hi, Bill!" she said her husband asked sarcastically, "Is this the AA that you go to?" What does this mean? It means that we are a joke to much of the public. Our public relations are harmed, therefore reducing the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous. … … … I had my last drink of alcohol in February 1970 and was active in AA through the '70s… … How many more alcoholics must perish before we reverse this religious cult thing that I feel Alcoholics Anonymous has morphed into… …Anyone listening?”

“Cult-like or just welcoming? Meetings filled with religiosity”, AA Grapevine December 2010

“Oh yes, I am listening, Bob. And I have done just that . . . stopped going to meetings, pretty much. I got sober in Chicago 37 years ago and have been sober one day at a time since, all thanks to AA, its members, service work and regular attendance at meetings. But about 10 or so years ago I noticed my attendance at meetings was dropping off. That started the round of checking out all sorts of groups in my area, only to find a level of noise, chanting and cult-like religiosity that I found very off-putting. One day at a time might change how I see things, but for now my Higher Power, AA friends and the Big Book will have to be enough”.

“Dear Grapevine, My AA” AA Grapevine November 2010

“I have been sober since 1968 and am afraid that I won't recognize my AA in another 15 years… … it seems that no one realizes that the Lord's Prayer is not in agreement with our Preamble. And I personally don't care for the chanting and pumping of the hands… … I have three alcoholic children, two of whom are in recovery. I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren and I want the program to be there when they need it.”

Bill W:

“Finally, I am often asked why I do not publicly acknowledge my very real debt of gratitude to the Oxford Group. The answer is that, unfortunately, a vast and sometimes unreasoning prejudice exists all over this country against the O.G. and its successor M.R.A. My dilemma is that if I make such an acknowledgement, I may establish a connection between the O. G. and Alcoholics Anonymous which does not exist at the present time. I had to ask myself which was more important: that the O.G. receive credit and that I have the pleasure of so discharging my debt of gratitude, or that alcoholics everywhere have the best possible chance to stay alive regardless of who gets credit.” (Bill W. Pass It On page 173)

Section 10

Conclusion

This report gives analysis of hazardous departure from Tradition, serious and growing internal divisions and public concerns.

There is evidence Alcoholics Anonymous is being influenced by outside business interests; a minority of A.A. groups are adopting organised educational programs, hierarchical pyramid power structures and international affiliations. There is evidence of fundamentalist Christian literature distorting AA history to the extent that it presents early A.A. groups as evangelical Christian Oxford Groups and which advocates their return. There is evidence in the press, internet and within the fellowship that AA is beginning to get the reputation of being a religious cult.

A widespread and hazardous misconception in the application of A.A. Traditions presents a situation in A.A. where neither A.A. Tradition, nor General Warranties of Conference are withstanding. Unless remedial action is taken at all levels, the present dynamics in A.A. parallel that of the Washingtonian movement and signal an early warning of impending collapse.

This report makes recommendations.

“Of highest importance would be our relations with medicine and religion. Under no circumstances must we get into competition with either. If we appeared to be a new religious sect, we’d be done for. (Bill W. AA Grapevine June 1955, Language of the Heart page 150)

“Education will not only pay off in numbers treated; it can pay off even more handsomely in prevention… … it is both a community job and a job for specialists… … but AA as such cannot, and should not, get directly into this field.” (Bill W. AA Grapevine March 1958. Language of the Heart page 186-187)

“We are sure that each group of workers in world service will be tempted to try all sorts of innovations that may often produce little more than painful repetition earlier mistakes. Therefore it will be an important objective of these Concepts to forestall such repetitions by holding the experiences of the past clearly before us. And if mistaken departures are nevertheless made, these Concepts may then provide a ready means of safe return to an operating balance that might otherwise take years of floundering to rediscover.”

The “AA Service manual combined with the Twelve Concepts for World Service” online:

http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf

Minority report submitted August 2011, revised and re-submitted October 2011.

Background documents enclosed.

THE END

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS See also:
  

Do People Think AA is a Cult?

Alcoholics Anonymous: Of Course It’s a Cult!

The Dark Legacy of a Rehab Cult

You Can Pray Relapses Away. Really

The Puzzling Role of Religion in Recovery

How Not to Preach Recovery

Toronto Ban on AA Atheists Sparks Global Flap

The above are the more thoughtful ones ….. otherwise the list goes on .. and on ….ad …..

PPS We're looking forward to the revised version of the Minority report with great interest

Links and downloads

  
Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programmes for alcohol dependence 

William James (website)

The Will to Believe (William James)  

The Will to Believe (Wikipedia entry)

Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking, Popular Lectures on Philosophy. 1907 (William James) 


See also Links and downloads 

Ealing: Insights into some of the cult 'personalities'

“There are actually 2 brands or strains of the cult here. One is led by a man called Patrick who is sponsored by a Scottish old timer called Don who was a sponsee of David B and attended the Joys of Recovery in the old days before Vision[s] was established. The groups Patrick influences are much more toned down. They preach the 6 [suggestions] things and 14 defects version of step 4 etc, but it is not as "cult like" as the Vision[s]. However having said that, Patrick is getting worse and more extreme. He is mesmerized by Dennis and has swallowed the yarn about AA being less successful than it was because of the mainstream of AA adopting treatment centre ideas and not doing the steps properly.”

“Then we have our "Happy Dennis", who is, I think, still sponsored by David [Icons] C. His groups are off the Richter scale in happy talk. People are expected to jump up and down for joy after they say the serenity prayer. Also the last time I attended one of his groups, on Saturday morning at Bayham Road, Dennis was sharing that he was "supercalifragilisticexpialidociously happy" (!!!!) He also "jumps" every time he speaks to you, to show you how happy he is. From a distance it looks like he has a permanent bad case of hiccoughs. (!!!!)

Finally to Denis' execrable sponsor - the Icon. You mentioned his so-called "way of beauty" (a fascist concept if ever there was) . Have you seen his TV series [web show] ?? ...

He rubbishes modern art in a most ignorant way. And in the program about the art of other cultures he successfully insults Buddhism and Hindu art saying that he wouldn't have it in his house or even his garden, but would (mercifully!!) stop short or smashing it with a hammer!! Wow, how good of him! You really couldn't make up this level of arrogance. It reflects everything ….. regarding his prejudice against "eastern" art and philosophy and his obsession with extreme Catholicism. So sad he also pushes this puke-inducing garbage into the domain of AA !!”

An Ealing cult meeting:

“There were about 30 people present. On each chair there was a copy of a little yellow booklet (A6 size) of about 28 pages entitled " BIG BOOK QUOTES" and containing selected quotations from the Big Book taken from every chapter of the first 164 pages (main text) plus a few pages from the stories section of the book.....

 

The format of the meeting was that a passage from the Big Book was read out (on this occasion it was a few pages from Bill's Story) However I did notice that at least half of the meeting (which largely consisted of young men in their early days/years), were looking at and reading from the yellow BIG BOOK QUOTES rather than from a copy of our AA Big Book.

After the passage was read out, they were instructed by Dennis (aka "happy Dennis" or "Mad Dennis" depending on your perspective) to share according to his numbered selected quotes from his compilation of BIG BOOK QUOTES. This was to be their reference for sharing in the meeting. The format is explained in the little yellow booklet. The yellow book of course has been compiled and concocted by Mad Dennis himself. …..... And on the back cover, the website of our modern-and-pagan-art-iconoclast extreme Catholic friend David C........, …..... is advertised - apparently "we" find it a very good website to look at!! Who "we" are is not fully explained.

In addition to the yellow book of quotations there was a PINK CARD [Ealing cult meeting list] on the literature table. The literature table was not very well supplied with the full range of AA literature by the way.”

“Dennis F is a VERY self-willed and somewhat childish, yet charismatic individual. He uses very flamboyant and exaggerated language. He says things like "I'm very very very very very very happy... and I'm even more happy than that" etc. Then he giggles in a childish way. Ken Dodd is a good comparison, but not so benign. Dennis has no humility whatsoever. For him, humility is just a morning pose (kneeling posture) and then he gets up and dedicates himself to control and domination ...”

“The best comparison I can make about Dennis is he talks fast like someone hypermanic. He is always "happy" but I would call it mania more than happiness. It isn’t a sober happy anyway. He is an attention seeker and a control freak and has been since day one. His idea of humility is that you get on your knees - in other words humility is a pose or a posture not a modus operandi or an attitude. He giggles childishly and makes up doggerel "poetry" about being happy etc. He constantly misquotes the literature to suit his own ends. He is overbearing and domineering. He is a narcissist - he wants everyone to agree with him and to be a reflection of himself. In other words he is a typical cult guru with a personality disorder.......”

Comment: It's nice to know that AA is in such safe and SANE hands!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS We have received some complaints about the Monday Step 3 7 and 11 meeting held at Richmond Bridge at 6.15pm (?)

Links and downloads

Models of Alcoholism Used in Treatment: Contrasting A.A. and Other Models with Which it is Often Confused

Spirituality and Recovery: the Historical Journey

Whatever Happened to Twelve-Step Programs?

Why A.A. Works: The Intellectual Significance of Alcoholics Anonymous

Here's to Spuds MacKenzie!

See also Links and downloads

Wayne P: Space Cadet!

Phew! Just as we were getting a bit worried that Wayne P (Plymouth Road to Recovery cult group) might be going off the boil imagine our relief when we discovered the latest offering from this budding astronaut-to-be!

[Note: we've been careful to take a screen shot of this one because his insightful contributions (both audio and text – remember the “Beano” readers comment? No! Well we do!) tend to appear then disappear with frightening rapidity. But we really do think this particular contribution should be preserved for all posterity].

So step aside Bill! Move over Dr Bob! There's a new commentator in town! Introducing Buzz Lightyear: "To infinity...... and beyond!"

Now according to Buzz.... sorry …. Wayne.... “being rocketed into the fourth dimension can sometimes FEEL different to orbiting the earth” as he likens the experience to: “discovering the adventure of life”. Well we've got to hand it to our intrepid explorer! We're not quite sure how many times Wayne's been “rocketed” - or indeed whether he's even returned - but for our part we've hardly ever orbited the planet so we'd be hard pushed to make the comparison. But we've checked with NASA concerning their flight crews' list though they haven't got back to us on Wayne's hitherto unannounced participation in the space programme ...... YET.

Notwithstanding, Wayne waxes lyrical on the subject with allusions to “launch pads”, “lift offs” and so forth. If he hasn't been sent into orbit he seems to know an awful lot about the subject. Perhaps this is a case of alien abduction? Anything's possible isn't it when you join up with the Road to Recovery gang!

However it transpires that perhaps being “rocketed” too far - and for all we know too often - into the exosphere (Ooh! We can do technical as well!) can be bad for your health. Indeed this would seem to be no guarantee of long term sobriety. But Wayne's a chap who keeps his feet (quite contradictorily!) firmly on the ground shunning the ephemeral delights of zero gravity. Not for him the heady delectation of strolling around the galaxy! No sireee! If he's going to be doing any rocketing it's going to be much closer to Mother Earth! Indeed it would seem he'd rather be in Mission Control providing the “flight plan called “experience””.

Ah well! Once a control freak always a control freak!

Over and out! (to the strains of Space Oddity by David Bowie)

Major Tom (A Friend of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Note the barely legible disclaimer at the bottom of the screen shot:

“© Road to Recovery Group 2012. This site is NOT APPROVED OR ENDORSED BY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. …....”

(our emphasis)

Links and downloads

"Spiritual Rather Than Religious": The Contribution of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Spirituality of William James: A Lesson from Alcoholics Anonymous

Shame in the Nineties  

Commentary on "Lay Treatment"

See also Links and downloads

The Four Absolutes

Extract:

“I have no doubt that David C was the author of the sexual conduct section, and the recommended reading list, and indeed much of the rest of the document as well. It is in his distinctive cold mechanical style and has his "spiritual fingerprints" all over it. The entire document is called "Companion to the Big Book" and was given to me some years ago now by a young woman who was greatly distressed at having been given this document at the Kingston Hill meeting ( now Hampton Wick [Friday]). She shared at my home group and was in tears about it. I asked her to give me the document, which she did the following week. The entire document runs into nearly 60 pages, only 2 of which I scanned and posted to you. This young lady, who has since left AA, told me that John B was most annoyed at her when she threatened to send it to GSO in York. …..... Until I saw your website I really didn’t pay all that much attention to the document, I read through it briefly …..... and then put it away. It was sitting on my book shelf largely ignored for years!

Here is a quote from the AA beginners website discussing Step 12, It is also found word for word in the document "Companion to the Big Book"

“We have also come across other ways of testing whether our behaviour is right. Perhaps they might be helpful to you: If we are faced with a choice, it is often easier to say what is not God's will. For example, it cannot be God's will that we do anything dishonest, impure, selfish or unloving (these were the guides used by a lot of the early AAs).”

Now this idea is taken from a book by Wally P called Back to Basics........ It was supposedly the practice of the early Oxford Group members to "discern" the "will of God" by applying the Four Absolutes to any idea or inspiration one had "received" during morning meditation and "quiet time"

[Note: the Four Absolutes themselves are supposedly derived from a book by Dr R Speer: “The Principles of Jesus”. The Four Absolutes. See also: What did A.A. learn from the Oxford Group and why did they leave them?]

Of course, all this stuff about what the Oxford Group did, and applying the Four Absolutes etc, arrogantly assumes that you believe in the same Higher Power - the same God - as Bill W and the founders; and indeed the same God as David C and his collaborator. Unfortunately for them I don't. I have a Higher Power of my own understanding who doesn't send cryptic messages via "quiet time" which need to be tested by applying Four Absolutes, and then have to be further endorsed and verified by an approved sponsor …...... Real awkward customer I am!”

(our edits)

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our usual thanks to this contributor

Links and downloads

NHS: Information Centre

Multidimensional Measurement of Religiousness/Spirituality for Use in Health Research

Older and wiser? Men’s and women’s accounts of drinking in early mid-life

Roundabout: AA's monthly magazine in Scotland

See also Links and downloads

A miscellany of cult dogma and hypocrisy!

Did you know...

David B (founder of the cult in London) who constantly exhorted anyone and everyone in earshot to get a sponsor - and “do exactly what your sponsor tells you” – didn't have one himself!

Extracts:

“David B's non existent sponsor, or "The Invisible Man" as I call him. The identity of David's sponsor seemed to change depending on who he was talking to......he just couldn’t find a sponsor in the UK who was sufficiently informed or conversant with the Program to be his sponsor. ( !!!!! ) So, in other words, in all our fair, green and pleasant land there was not one AA member who was good enough to sponsor David. He tried and tried and tried but he just could not find anyone, poor chap! However he did eventually find a man in America called ........, with whom he talked over the phone to from time to time ( or so he claimed). This "......." upon later investigation ( after David's death) turned out to be drinking low alcohol lager and completely unaware of being anyone's sponsor. Yet this individual was good enough for David !! You really couldn’t make it up!

David B …... on cooking with alcohol:

“David B used to invite some sponsees/group members to his flat in Fulham for a meal. It was his practice to cook with alcohol ( using wine in a coq-au-vin recipe for example). He would say that it gave his food "a certain extra something". Well it sure did, because even after 2 1/2 hours of cooking at least 5% of the alcohol is still retained after cooking. I don’t think David was aware of this scientific fact. I wasn't myself until recently. However, in view of the fact that alcoholism is partly a mental obsession, I always thought it was totally inappropriate to present food to recovering alcoholics which had been cooked with alcohol and expect them to eat it as a fait accompli. In other words they were put in a position where it would have been seen as rude to refuse. It is certainly not something I would do myself. I felt David B was playing around with alcohol and with other people's sobriety, which David did without a care to the possible consequences to himself or others.

By the way, here is a link for further information regarding the retention of alcohol after cooking 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_with_alcohol

I was surprised myself to learn about this, as I too always thought that cooking boiled off the entire alcohol content. It doesn't.”

Roman Catholicism and the cult:

“The intrusion of Roman Catholic dogma, practice and moral teaching into AA and repackaging it to newcomers as if it were AA. The attendance of David B and his closest circle at the Brompton Oratory Catholic Church in Kensington, and the close and public relationship of David C with the Catholic Church. The importing of Catholicism into AA under the guise of "working the program"....... a young man …. [was] …. sacked by his Vision sponsor after this sponsor had suggested he should consider becoming a Catholic and the young man refused. This young man's experience of AA was completely ruined by this experience and in spite of many attempts to help him and reassure him of the real AA message, he eventually left the fellowship.”

Moreover:

“The promoting and intrusion of highly contentious and controversial opinions on many outside issues and presenting them as AA under the cover of being "spiritual" Including:-

MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL MATTERS - Medications for depression and other conditions were frowned upon and newcomers were told to come off medication or they could not proceed with the program. Similarly newcomers were told to discontinue any therapy or counselling. Also David C had highly contentious views on psychology, especially about Sigmund Freud, whom he often derided and rubbished.

RELIGION - David C "the Icon" said that if you wanted to follow a religious faith outside of AA you should select a "Western Faith" i.e. some form of Christianity - and especially Catholicism. The Icon was particularly scathing about Eastern forms of religion, philosophy, meditation and spiritual practice. This prejudice can be clearly seen in his recommended reading list of Helpful Books at the end of the "Companion to the Big Book" document (mostly written by David C), which is completely Christian in outlook and largely Catholic in flavour. Also his patronising and ignorant view about meditation as not being about seeking " altered states of consciousness, out-of-body experiences or the like " - revealed in his "bigbookrecovery" website section on Step 11.

MORALITY - sex before marriage, birth control and abortion - all were forbidden at Vision mirroring the Catholic church's stand on these issues) David C had skilful and lengthy arguments to justify these rules, all of which break AA Traditions

POLITICS AND SOCIETY – [according to] David B …... the best social system that had ever existed was the Feudal System ( !!!!!! ) The Feudal System if you recall from school history lessons, is the medieval social system where the King is the absolute ruler at the top, then come various strata of Lords, Nobles and Barons beneath him, and the poor serfs at the bottom ..... need I say more??

ART AND MUSIC. Modern Art and contemporary music were frowned upon, especially by the "Icon" who said that modern art and rock music were "unspiritual" and self-absorbed. ….... a young musician …. [was] …. told by his Vision sponsor that he could not play in a professional rock band because rock music was "unspiritual" and "against God" and therefore against the program. David C developed a theory which declared that all self-expression in art and music is "wrong" and that all art and music should be for the greater glory of "God". (...and which God should be glorified?? Why, The Icon's God, of course!!)

Misogyny, homophobia and religious apartheid. David B used to say that women were somehow "less able to get the message" than men. He said this as an attempt to rationalise the fact that the Vision group was so dominated by men, especially young men. This male domination is one of the hallmarks of the cult groups, even after David died. [Dave C also subscribed to this view]. Also David B would say the same thing about gay people that they were somehow less capable of accepting his wonderful message (perhaps they were simply as repelled by it as the women were!!). Also there was an incident after David died when a Jewish member of a Vision group was attracted to a young lady who was a Catholic. Dave C "the Icon", then in charge of Vision, advised him to stay clear of this potential relationship because the two faiths were, in his view, "incompatible" and there could be "problems" which could lead to drinking!! I really felt at the time that this would have brought AA into serious disrepute if, say, the media had got a hold of this story. The Jewish man eventually left AA. Who could blame him!

David B made up a rule that each group member should have 2 service commitments. This was in spite of the fact that David himself did not have a single service commitment for 10 years. A clear example of "do what I say and not as I do" (or don't do in David's case). His reasons for not having a service commitment were, he said, on account of his illness. Yet he was well enough to command and control an empire of sponsees that stretched from London to Plymouth, and from Ireland to the USA !! Also all group consciences were effectively controlled by David B through the mechanism of sponsorship and a group Steering committee which he directed. Yet he wasn't able to wash up a single coffee cup on account of "illness". Perhaps the "illness" in question was not the one he thought it was !

David B ruled that recovering alcoholics cannot become social workers, counsellors, therapists or ministers of religion. This is in clear contradiction to what is found in the chapter on Tradition 8 in the 12x12, where such as view is described as "anti-social". His reasons were that there might be a "conflict of obedience" or approach between AA and the organisation employing the AA member as a therapist, priest etc. This is tantamount to saying that AA is incompatible with the real world. The true reason of course was that knowledge and education on spiritual or psychological matters would reveal David B to be the charlatan he was. This was the real "conflict of obedience" - obedience to David and his madness.

David also ruled that no alcoholic can do voluntary work outside 12 step activity. Again contradicting conference approved literature which states clearly ( in the book Living Sober) that such activity is recommended as a possible way of being useful and distracting us from drinking.

Breaking confidences: After David sacked a sponsee. he would tell other members details of that person's life which justified him sacking that person. I felt this was an abuse of trust. Also because of the hierarchical nature of the Vision, private details about sponsees were "passed up the chain of command" if a sponsor felt it was necessary. This happened particularly if the sponsor was relatively new and not fully conversant with all the many rules and regulations practised at Vision.

The horrible cross-sharing and humiliation of visitors and guest speakers at Vision by members of the Cult. This included, on one occasion, the cross-sharing of a man with over 40 years sobriety.

The fierce opposition to any form of regulation regarding personal conduct, How the cult, led then by David C, vehemently opposed a discussion document on Personal Behaviour and Conduct which was circulated around the year 2000 (I cannot now remember the exact year this was circulated). The brouhaha regarding the dismissal of 2 Board members including the London Board Member ("American Mary" ) and how Cult members even considered leaving AA and founding a separate fellowship. Such is their loyalty to AA. “

Comment: Welcome to the cult's fascist agenda!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)