“Hi there,
After writing the below I notice Wayne B gets a mention in your "A Minority report to conference 2012."
I went to his workshop last year, more than a few were on the verge of relapse after it. This group has become increasingly noticeable in Perth, Australia. Headed by Wayne Butler from the USA, his company through which this runs is The Last Mile Foundation …... Locally they brand themselves as having "Emotional Sobriety."
They breach lots of the traditions, and they have grow through local members not knowing or turning a blind eye to it.
They have their own "big book" and "12 step guide", known as the Step n' Ahead Workbook. They have a pyramid type sponsorship structure. All follow the same directions, HP is my sponsor and you're either willing or not. Never question your sponsor, no medication, no other therapists. They are told they have to have 5 sponsee's and actively recruit and target newcomers. Its very much an ego, personality type group that sees itself as the true AA. Most original members are those who were in AA, didn't work the program were about to leave/drink, then found this extreme version.
I personally have no issue if a member wants to go the extreme route, but it is the targeting of the newcomer that is the concern. The slanting and twisting of the big book, and the controlling cult like behaviour that goes on outside the rooms. ….......
many thanks”
An AA convention? We think not!
Cheers
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
(Our thanks to our reporter in Perth)
