Do they want what we have

Do they want what we have?

Levitate to examine AA meetings through the eyes of newcomers to visualize why they may not want what we have. Are they unable to identify at meetings due to the watered down, confusing, non-AA messages we have all heard? In trying to be all things to all people we are failing our primary purpose, that of carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. In 1950 Dr. Bob’s last words to Bill W. were; “Bill, let’s not louse this thing up.

Let’s keep it simple”. Dr. Bob knew if we didn’t keep AA simple we could destroy it from within. Despite Dr. Bob’s advice, in recent years, many outside issues and promotional practices have crept into AA that does little to attract and keep newcomers or old timers. Our traditions, if followed, help groups identify and eliminate outside issues before they destroy unity, threaten growth and weaken primary purpose.

Our common welfare comes first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.In my opinion, three major outside issues challenge the newcomer’s ability to identify. Religion, drugs and promotional practices are central to why newcomers don’t want what we have. Our preamble states, “AA is not allied with any sect or denomination,” but reality falls far short of this objective.

Religious aspects are present at most AA meetings. Many meetings are held in churches where most groups fail to announce they only rent the rooms and have no other church affiliation. Religious prayers and prayer circles are common. The Lord’s Prayer, a Christian prayer, is used to close most AA meetings. These practices contradict our tenet of being only a spiritual program and give credence that AA is religious. Religion is offensive to most agnostics,atheists and non- religious members. We live in a pluralistic society where meetings must now, more than ever, reflect only spiritual values.

Newcomers arrive at our doors sick, lonely and resentful towards God and religion. They leave soon after experiencing too much of either. Many alcoholics believe AA is a religious cult and hesitate to seek our help. The unity and growth of AA depends on our meetings retaining spiritual principals and eliminating religious precepts.

Drug issues often leave AA members wondering if they are attending NA meetings. Many introduce themselves as addicts and share at length about their drug use with little or no mention of alcohol. When asked why, the addict usually replies, “It is part of my story” or “a drug is a drug”. Terminal uniqueness or misunderstandings of tradition 5 encourages them to do so. The 5th tradition tells us drugs are an outside issue and have no place at AA meetings.

Many arrive at AA with multiple addictions and must learn AA meetings exist solely to assist alcoholics in their recovery from alcoholism. Those with drug addictions, other than alcohol, should attend alternative 12 step programs so we are able to maintain AA’s primary purpose and unity.

Promotional issues give meetings the atmosphere of love-ins or school pep rallies; too much glitz, pomp and jazz and not enough substance. One group starts a promotional practice and others follow with little or no thought of the consequences to newcomers, other groups, or AA as a whole. Arm pumping, chanting, name shouting, hand holding, hugging and kissing detracts from the serenity, humility, dignity and quality of meetings. Cheerleading and thirteenth stepping is selfish, irresponsible and immature conduct. These issues are about promotion and personal
gratification and do little to attract newcomers to want what we have.

All aspects of AA, including meetings, should be based on attraction rather than promotion. Problems of promotion and outside issues originate at the individual and group levels and must be solved at those levels; group by group and member by member. The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution to our common problem. Groups that stick to the basics and keep their message simple will continue attracting newcomers because they will want what we have and be willing to go to any length to get it!

Thanks to old time sponsorship and back to basics AA that has kept me sober since March 1990.

Mike B
Oliver, British Columbia