A problem identified early on in the history of AA as being particularly prevalent amongst the membership. The more extreme manifestations of this type have now organised themselves within the fellowship. We call them “the cult”. They may be manifest in many forms – Visions, Joys of Recovery, Primary Purpose, Back to Basics, Pacific Group but they all have one common feature: narcissistic personality disorder.
“Dr. Harry M. Tiebout. M.D. (Therapeutic Mechanism of Alcoholics Anonymous, The American Journal of Psychiatry, January 1944).
“Characteristic of the so-called typical alcoholic is a narcissistic egocentric core, dominated by feelings of omnipotence, intent on maintaining at all costs its inner integrity. While these characteristics are found in other maladjustments, they appear in relatively pure culture in alcoholic after alcoholic. In a careful study of a series of cases, Sillman reported that he felt he could discern the outlines of a common character structure among problem drinkers and that the best terms he could find for the group of qualities noted was ‘defiant individuality’ and ‘grandiosity’. In my opinion these words were accurately chosen… … … This experience I label for want of a better term, a ‘psychological awakening.’… … … In retrospect, it is apparent that the patient became aware of his basic ego centricity. For the first time he was able to penetrate behind the façade of his rationalisations and defence reactions and to see that always hitherto he had put himself first. He was literally unaware that other souls existed except insofar as they affected him… … … While one can question the permanence of this new pattern, there can be no question as to the fact that the experience itself occurred…. … … The narcissistic component in the character is submerged, at least for the time being… … Regardless of his final conception of that power, unless the individual attains in the course of time a sense of the reality and nearness of a Greater Power, his egocentric nature will re- assert itself with undiminished intensity, and drinking will again enter into the picture…” (Extracts) (AA Comes of Age, Appendix E:b, page 309-317)”
http://www.slideshare.net/jenimawter/red-flags-to-narcissistic-personality-disorder-compiled-by-jeni-mawter
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS Our thanks to the member who drew this media to our attention
