'13 Stepping' at the Plymouth Road to Recovery (cult) group (update)

We've received information that suggests the young woman referred to in our last entry had retracted her original (reported) accusations (although a number of sources have already suggested to us that pressure may have been placed upon her to do so). Unfortunately we'll probably never know the truth of the matter because Debbie – that was her name – was found dead on Friday night. She was due to go into a treatment centre tomorrow.

Not so much the Road to Recovery for Debbie... more the Road to Ruin …

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

'13 Stepping' at the Plymouth Road to Recovery (cult) group

A recently received allegation.

We quote: 

“Poor …..., a young vulnerable girl who had the misfortune to cross the threshold of the so-called Road to Recovery meeting in Plymouth.

Whilst early in recovery she was summoned to the home of …....... who wished to discuss AA service with her. …....'s idea of service is vastly different to that of sincere AA members.

Sexual advances were made by …..... to …......, who to her credit declined ….....'s offer.

Shortly after this incident …...... sent …...... an on-line photograph of his dick. 

One of ….......'s clones (…..... …...) soon made his move on …....... and poor ….... became another R2R mum.

Following the birth …..... struggled to come to terms with her situation and picked up the first drink again. The first drink lead to the second, etc, etc. Then she found herself shoplifting and that resulted in her being arrested.

She was banned from RTR and is now under the care of the local health care unit.

Poor …......., used, abused and dumped by Plymouth R2R.”

(edits to preserve anonymity .... for now!)

These events are all reported to have taken place within the last year.

This is not the first time we've been advised of sexual predation (and other abuses) at the R2R cult group. As our correspondent notes this kind of conduct is not exclusive to this group but the degree and extent of the abuse is almost without parallel (but see the Midtown groups, Washington DC).

Any further information from members in the area would be appreciated before we proceed to the next stage (see here for our new 'public relations' policy)

Cheers (although there isn't much to cheer about here!)

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to our correspondents in Plymouth

New Book Takes the First Sober Look at FDA-Approved Medications

Alcoholism: A Prescription for Alcoholics

“Alcoholics Anonymous accused of discrimination”

According to the above article Larry Knight (apparently an agnostic/atheist AA member) is taking “AA World Services and its GTA Intergroup (GTAI) to Ontario’s human rights tribunal, alleging discrimination on the basis of creed.” The fact that the agnostic/atheist groups are themselves acting in breach of the traditions/guidelines goes slightly unmentioned by the author of the article (who clearly knows sweet FA about how AA operates. But then opinions such as hers are cheap, and therefore correspondingly valueless). It occurs to us that it's something of a shame that there's no Human DUTIES tribunal. You can be damn sure the queue for those wishing to assert their responsibilities towards others would be considerably shorter. Finally though the argument presented by Mr Knight is to say the least disingenuous if not transparently perverse (ie. a clear case of someone 'trying it on'). Still good luck to him. If it keeps him off the booze …...

Of course as always There Is A Solution. The atheist/agnostic groups are at complete liberty to set up their own fellowship, produce their own literature, and design their own programme of recovery. This would seem preferable to clinging to AA in a somewhat parasitic fashion and moaning about the fact that the word “God” is used a lot (as in 'for God's sake', 'God help us', 'God .. get me out of here!' etc etc … you get our meaning!). Naturally the same option is open to all those groups who use the Lord's Prayer in their meeting formats. Feel free to go forth (and indeed multiply) and leave the rest of us - who don't give a monkey's either way - in peace. God (of your understanding – including NO understanding) save us from all those with a chip on their shoulder!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of a non-affiliated Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our usual thanks to the member who drew our attention to this

Study: Alcoholism, Depression Major Problems For Attorneys

"The report published earlier this month (Feb 2016)  in the Journal of Addiction Medicine showed that the rate of problem drinking among attorneys is three times that of the general population: It was found to be 20.6 percent among lawyers, while the National Institutes of Health estimated a rate of about 7 percent for adults in the U.S."

Clueless! London South West Intergroup...

And so the saga drags on and on and on and …...

Yet again the subject of the so-called “London Calling” International Convention (or is it Gathering?) has come up .. and yet again London South West fumbles the catch! This intergroup serves as a prime example of what happens where members are guided by personalities rather than principles, and where ignorance of the traditions (especially Tradition Four) is the norm. Led (if that's the right word) by a chairman whose knowledge of the traditions - and for that matter guidelines – is virtually zero (which almost unbelievably makes her slightly more enlightened than her predecessor) this intergroup continues to flounder around as they desperately try to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions. London Calling may have been the precipitating cause but this Intergroup has done nothing to mitigate the effect. However what did come out of their deliberations was further evidence that London Calling is no more than a front for a Christian fundamentalist movement populated by yet more completely unnecessary Big Book 'experts'. Apparently they're seeking (according to one member) to get “people into the UK to give a different experience of AA”... ie. missionaries. Moreover they advocate (contrary to both AA traditions and guidelines) an anti-medication stance. Membership of AA in the UK is currently static if not declining . The last thing we need is this kind of “different experience”.

If London South West intergroup had been guided by AA tradition in the first place they would have refused to endorse this dubious crew and would have largely avoided the mess they're in now. Instead they've elected yet again to invite this gang to attend the next IG meeting to explain themselves …. again! What's that well worn definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over ….. and expecting a different outcome! It's almost pitiable to witness them once more being led by the nose 'up the garden path'! But then if nothing changes nothing changes!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous.... and rather fond of the Traditions as well!)

Bill Wilson talking about the Traditions - Tradition Six

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous ...and rather fond of the Traditions too!)