Chicagoist: Ask Chicagoist: Alternatives to AA?

E

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:28:45 -0600

Moderation management sounds like a bit of a crock to me, really. I have no first hand experience, so it's certainly possible I'm missing something, but telling an addict that they're OK if they only have a little bit seems wrongheaded.

wotda

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:32:58 -0600

AA kicks ass-- try it if you have a desire to quit drinking. As for MM, its founder, Audrey Kishline, ended up killing two people while driving drunk.

smussy

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:34:31 -0600

also, AA itself says in its own literature that they "have no monopoly" on sobriety or how to get sober. and because AA's 12 traditions state that members remain anonymous "at the level of press, radio, TV and films," you'll never really hear shows like celebrity rehab *specifically* mention AA. they always refer to "12-step programs." i guess that leaves it up to AA, NA, CA, what have you. also, i can say that there are plenty of people in the rooms of AA who were complete and utter atheists, even haters of god when they came to AA and were able to do the steps anyway. you don't need to believe in god. some people use the group as a "higher power," some people say that GOD is "good orderly direction" as laid out by the steps. some people come to find something they call god, other people still don't believe in god or stay agnostic. there's no god requirement to go to AA or get sober.

fed up

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:49:48 -0600

Come on God hates quitters. nothing is worse than a reformed drunk

Spav1

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:44:34 -0600

FYI- AA doesn't say that you have to believe in "God". It stipulates there is a "higher power", but beyond that, you are totally free to decide what that means.