A Dozen Steps

Quibbling Over Exact Wording

by Mark on August 23rd, 2007

Thanks Namenlosen - I love the words especially “quibbling.”

Soooo - “Real” Alcoholic? What is a “Real” Alcoholic? I am a Real Alcoholic. Why? Because I say so, not because Danny S. says so, because I say so. There is a reason I say so. That reason is because experienced people in Alcoholics Anonymous were able to bring it to my attention with sufficient force that I learned it was true! It? What is “It?”

“It” is the fact that I can’t stop drinking once I start. Very simple.

Along the lines of the discussion though, I have had the experience of seeing and knowing policemen who have “infiltrated” the rooms of AA with specific purposes other than recovery from alcoholism - who were not alcoholics at all. They were there to catch someone who’d broken the law and was simply available to them (or info about them to help catch them was available) in an AA meeting.

I’ve also been witness to identity thieves who’ve shown up at AA meetings, taken part in the meetings for months acting as if they were members, gaining the trust of AA members and then robbing those members of large sums of money.

The policeman and the thief were certainly not real alcoholics in those moments at those times. They may be in their true personal lives but right then they weren’t.

There are other people who may very well be “real” alcoholics, and probably are, who are practicing deception and lies within the rooms of AA. These folks are more than simply alcoholics, imho. They are thieves. They can be murderers. Why? Because they’re manipulating the people in the rooms of AA into believing things that may cost them emotionally and physically. They mislead AA members into accepting counter productive information which a newcomer might just use as an excuse and wind up dead.

What can anyone do? This… Let it be known that 13th Steppers exist. Let it be known that a**holes exist in the rooms. Let it be known that some are out to steal your money or your emotions. Make folks aware. Especially newcomers.

And… its perfectly okay to do this. Why? Because there is a God in my belief system who will, if I am wrong, still be in charge anyway and will always have the final word. Be alert, be wise, be realistic, don’t use anything to your advantage, help others. But don’t accept unacceptable things.

Share This

Related Stories

Herbert Spencer Didn’t Write It?
Keep Your Head And Your Arse
To Stay Sober
Number 5 - Admitted To God…
Triumphantly We Seize Upon Misbehavior!

POSTED IN: Experience, Strength and Hope, First Step, Opinion