Extract
from our discussion forum:
“I don’t
know the situation with Al-anon, but the Last mile Foundation is
active in AA in South East England. The Last mile foundation also
goes under the name of “Stepnahead” and “Step’n Ahead into
Emotional Sobriety”. I was handed a “Step’n Ahead into
Emotional Sobriety” workshop flyer, distributed in an AA meeting in
Sussex. The workshop was in London, September 2009, with Workshop
speakers Wayne B and Tina A. (Los Angeles, CA). Last year I acquired
a 12 step workbook produced by the foundation called “We are…
Step’n Ahead” from someone who was involved with Primary Purpose
groups in the South East.
There’s
something about a retreat in Scotland on the Last Mile foundation’s
website, in a testimony by a guy called Lawrence D:
“My
first 'in person' experience with the Step'n Ahead workshop was in
Scotland, and it provided me with immense hope. When I attended the
Scotland workshop, I was blown away with the information they
espoused about The ISM Factor, the Faulty Emotional Dependency
Syndrome……”
Lawrence
also says in his testimony: "I was six months sober when I left
London England. I had completed the first 9 steps with my sponsor.
I immigrated to Perth Australia. I started a new group at two years
into my sobriety.....”
To follow
the story of “Step’n Ahead” in Perth Australia, see this
article on aacultwatch:
On the
last mile foundation’s website home page, it can be seen that it
targets its business at AA members for them to refer other members,
especially those who might be considering professional medical help
or counselling, (in other words, the vulnerable) to the Last Mile
Foundation’s business.
This is
from the Last mile Foundation website’s home page:
“..We
need your help on two fronts: Referrals and donations.
1] We want
and we encourage AA members to refer alcoholics to us who fit our
demographic, especially those who are talking about going on
medication or into a treatment program or talk therapy; most
importantly, before they do so.
2] We
want to ensure that those who suffer from symptoms of The ISM Factor
in alcoholism in sobriety -- regardless of an ability to pay -- has
an
opportunity
to attend Step'n Ahead.
In
addition to our affordable fees, we will fund our program through
tax-deductible donations from Friends of Step'n Ahead, small business
owners, corporations, individuals, government grants, and other fund
raising efforts.”
Links to
the Last mile Foundation:
I don’t
think having an opinion on this matter is breaking Tradition Ten. The
opposite is true. These things have to be taken seriously. Tradition
Ten is not the relevant Tradition, this is a matter of upholding
Traditions Four and Six, and also the General Warranties of
Conference (Concept 12, warranties Five and Six) It is a matter
regarding the affiliation to, or endorsement of, related facilities
or outside enterprises. In this case, where a business is operating
in AA, to call it an outside issue is a misunderstanding of
traditions. AA has to protect itself from businesses which attempt
to merge their activities within AA. Traditions Four, Six and Concept
12, Warranties Five and Six are clear The AA name cannot be lent to
any outside enterprise; they must be entirely separate. There is a
responsibility for AA members to see this is done by actively
upholding AA Traditions and General Warranties of Conference.
(Concept 12) This is not having an opinion on outside issues; it is
having an opinion on an outside interference in the affairs of AA. It
is something which AA members need to address at all levels.
I wouldn’t
be surprised if it is targeting Al-anon as well, it doesn’t make
much business sense to only make money out of one fellowship when you
can make it out of two.
I have
seen a retreat business under a different name advertising retreats
in the USA, Ireland, England and Scotland, targeting its business at
AA, Al-anon, NA, and their families.
I think
for a newcomer to be “blown away with information they espoused”
as stated by Lawrence D, which excite feelings of euphoria followed
by emotional attachment to the mission could be interpreted as
brainwashing, especially if they are in a particularly emotionally
vulnerable state which ought to be treated by a medical professional
or counsellor instead.
I think
the workbook is complicated and absolute nonsense in places. In some
places I can't work out it out at all. If I'd had to work through it
in early recovery it would have made me feel inadequate to the point
of being neurotic.
I hope
this info. Helps”
Comment:
None needed
Cheerio
The Fellas
(Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
