MillwallJames;
[b:c2d7c7f9b5]This is precisely what I and several others have been trying to talk about.[/b:c2d7c7f9b5]
I have spoken to so many people who also had their core integrity violated in a similar manner.
[b:c2d7c7f9b5]The question is, would you willingly turn your psyche over to a group of untrained, unskilled, and potentially unethical would-be therapists, if you knew what you were getting yourself into?[/b:c2d7c7f9b5]
That's why I suggested this as a prelude to meetings:
*Welcome to Alcoholics anonymous! Our organization has recently become aware of abuses of the program committed by some of those professing to be AA members, and we want to do everything in our power to prevent newcomers from being harmed by others in the program.
*Although we are an organization of men and women coming together for the purpose of helping each other stay sober, there may be those in these rooms who do not have that goal foremost in mind.
*We urge the newcomer to remember this at all times, and exercise the same caution with AA members who are strangers that he or she would in any other social setting.
*Although we do rely on God for our strength and sobriety, we cannot expect him to guard us at all times from harm from our fellow man.
*There may be other members who would attempt to exploit us, for money, sex, or other reasons. There may be some who are not here voluntarily, but have been ordered to attend meetings by their families or the courts. Some people may resent being here, and may not be dedicated to sobriety.
*Although we make a pledge to remain anonymous, we are nevertheless human, and we cannot expect others to always honor our anonymity. It is strongly suggested that you exercise care in choosing friends and confidants in AA, as you would in other social settings.
*We will do our best to help the newcomer find a safe and secure place in our organization, as our sobriety, and, more importantly, the sobriety of the newcomer, depends on it. Our primary goal is to help the alcoholic who still suffers, and we will do our best to see that he or she does not suffer at the hands of those who claim to be here to help him.
*If another AA member does manage to take advantage of you, please remember that anyone can be fooled at times, and that it is not necessarily your fault.
*You were not necessarily "asking for it". Good and bad things happen to all people, whether they be wise or naive, kind or unkind.
*Most of the people you meet here will be on your side.
*A few may not be.
*Choose carefully, and take your time.
*Ultimately, it is up to the individual to protect him or herself.
*Please remember to exercise caution.
[b:c2d7c7f9b5]I probably should have added a disclaimer to the effect that:
We are not here to help you with any mental health issues. Please contact a professional for these matters.
None of our members are working here as trained professionals in mental health .
Our sole purpose is to help you achieve sobriety through an appeal to God.[/color:c2d7c7f9b5]
Please be extremely careful about revealing any emotional vulnerabiloities to other AA members, and be very selective about what advice you choose to follow.
We have noticed a trend among some members to pychoanalyze and attempt to practice psychological treatment on newcomers.[/color:c2d7c7f9b5]
This is not our purpose in any way, and we do not condone or recommend these practices.
However, once again, it is up to you to protect yourself.
Please be very careful[/b:c2d7c7f9b5]
The problem is, too many of the AA hard core (and possibly the organization itself) are too interested in preserving an image of inviolable perfection to address protection of the newcomer in any proactive way. (They did write a memo about the 13th step and send it to various groups.)
[b:c2d7c7f9b5]And, AA is[/color:c2d7c7f9b5] a thought reform program. [/b:c2d7c7f9b5]That's how the changes in personality are wrought. The use of admonishments to "forget everything you know", "surrender to God", and "make the AA group your higher power", are only some of the techniques used to increase your vulnerability in order to implant a new AA reality.
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Please be aware that young, vulnerable people enter AA. People who just want to quit drinking.
Right!
You may have noticed that the people who love and defend AA are the ones who have submitted to all of the thought reform processes the program has to offer, not just sobriety.
[b:c2d7c7f9b5]The ones who say things like, "my brain needed washing" usually love AA.
[/b:c2d7c7f9b5]
The people who have left AA or do not like it are the ones who just can't submit to another world view than their own. They're the ones who don't have it in them to be brainwashed.