Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (18170)	11/30/2003 12:48:38 PM
From: John Carragher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793670

sounds like this person went to a lot of bad meetings.. Perhaps if he changed meetings he would have found one that is on his level.. today their are meetings to meet everyone's situation.. The fact that he kept saying he was tired of telling his story makes me think he was at a beginners meeting and maybe stayed there. I have seen various people come into the rooms who do not know how to live. How to get up in the morning and know how to dress.. They never grew up as they medicated themselves throughout life on drugs and booze... There are thousands of different reasons why some one becomes addictive. Their genes, emotional situation and heavy drinking or the first taste that drives you to a never cannot get enough. In the meantime your life around you collapses.. In the rooms, there are people who have experienced addition and know directly what is the right way to get stay clean and sober. These people go out of their way to help one get through a day at a time. then a week at a time and hopefully after a year of guidance when needed the person is on their way to recovery. Does it work all the time no, perhaps not most of the time. You have to realize a great deal of these folks coming in ran from responsibility and when sober this is their first test to address those things without substance of drugs or booze.. Many cannot make it and relapse. some keep coming back and make it , others may die a slow death. some alcoholics quit cold turkey and make it.. perhaps these are strong will and independent people or someone who went through a temporary crisis. Others it may be what they are about to lose is more important than the drug and they quit. To others nothing is more important than the drug or booze. They usually end up in AA from a court appearance and potential jail, work and notice of termination, family divorce, but they may not be ready to live without substances... People who are willing to spend the time to help those in need I respect very much. They do a wonderful service and to them it keeps them sober by getting involved in helping others so they do not spend time on themselves. I believe in Philly area there are at least 100 various meetings any day.. It is a shame this person couldn't find one that fit his objectives. I doubt he tried. As to going to meetings , it depends on the person imo. Stronger more successful in life , marriage, job, social functions perhaps less meetings or no meetings.Others who have been in a fog for twenty years,when they wake up they still have a teenager mind since they blew off every piece of responsibility or stress through alcohol or drugs, need guidance on how to live a day at a time or they will relapse. Many i found were introverts, shy people in school or work and maybe little to no social contacts. The aa meetings are their first experience of coming out their shell. It is truly remarkable. Like any organization you have people in these rooms for other issues, they may like to talk , they may be looking for companionship, they may be looking for sex. I have met some nuts in these rooms as there a lot of sick people there.g

To: LindyBill who wrote (18170)	12/1/2003 11:18:48 PM
From: Dayuhan	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793670

When I quit drinking twelve years ago, I tried these meetings. They were not for me. You’ve accidentally pushed one of my buttons; I’ll try to maintain self-control. <rant> Have you ever noticed that while the working-class slob who drinks himself into the gutter is a drunk, the celebrity with a drinking problem is said to “suffer from alcoholism”? The withered wreck in the crack house is a menace to society, while the showbiz yapper or political talking head who sucks pills with breakfast, lunch, and dinner “suffers” from “an addictive disorder”? This to me is bullshit. I don’t care if every shrink on the face of the planet disgrees, I cannot accept the characterization of the drunk or the addict as one who “suffers” from anything other than the consequences of their own voluntary actions. Talking about these people in the same terms we use to discuss a cancer patient, or anyone else who really is sick, is an insult to the people who suffer from conditions they didn’t voluntarily embrace. I would agree with the author completely (and yes, I’ve been there and done that with booze and with other things as well) that recovery is no different from addiction: it’s something you put behind you. The idea of making public hay out of one’s status as a “recovering addict” is something I find pretty silly, but I guess it’s inevitable, especially if we accept the notion of addicts as victims of anything more than their own weakness. Sometimes it seems like everybody wants to be a victim, and given the special treatment and regard we hold for victims, it’s easy enough to see why. On the religion question I’ve little undersatnding of either side: those who find solace and support in either the church or the therapy couch are welcome to whatever floats their boat, but I personally can’t comprehend the appeal of either. This bit… Admitting powerlessness and asking for help are signs of honesty and maturity. But making a fetish out of a long-ago disorder and engaging in groupthink are not. …struck me as odd, coming from a person who has openly embraced Catholicism. If that’s not “groupthink”, I can’t imagine what is. This… you can't overcome addiction on your own. …is an outright lie. </rant>