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RE: Is It More Harmful Then It Is Helpful to Most Ppl

in #by8 years ago

I've been to meetings in 9 states over the course of 35 years and I've never been to one that was an hour of talking about drugs and alcohol. If AA/NA doesn't work for you, fine. But your description makes me think you misunderstood something

The common Open Discussion meeting is a time to discuss reasons and methods to stay clean for another day. Sometimes there is a little sharing of past stories but only to show the errors of wrong thinking. Even in Speaker Meetings, where one person really does stand up and share their story, usually about half of it is the part about getting clean.

We are told to share our "Experience, strength, and hope", and the way I was taught, only that first part could be thought of as stories of our past. But really, for me and for millions of sober and clean 12 step program members, it's about the experience of getting straight, the strength we get from others, and the hope of being there, clean and sober another day, to help others.

I hope you will try other meetings. If you feel uncomfortable speaking, simply say "Pass" or find structured discussion meetings where they share readings or have a panel of speakers. If not, good luck with whatever you do find. The one thing I know for sure that never works is hiding from the problem.