What AA is and is NOT about!

Extract from the aacultwatch forum (old)

““A.A. does not:.....solicit members....follow up or try to control its members....make medical or psychological diagnoses or prognoses..”(Members of the Clergy ask about Alcoholics Anonymous page 18, What does A.A. not do?)
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-25_membersoftheclergyaskaboutaa.pdf

“..An A.A. sponsor does not offer any such services as those offered by a social worker, a doctor, a nurse, a marriage counselor..” (Questions and answers on sponsorship, page 10)... “..Does not hesitate to help the newcomer obtain professional help (such as medical, legal, vocational)..” (Page 15)
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-15_Q&AonSpon.pdf

“3 No A.A. member plays doctor” (The A.A. member medications and other drugs, page 5)
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-11_aamembersMedDrug.pdf

“…If we recognize that religion is the province of the clergy and the practice of medicine is for doctors, we can helpfully cooperate with both…” (from Warranty four) “….We have no doctrine that has to be maintained. We have no membership that has to be enlarged. We have no authority that has to be supported. We have no prestige, power, or pride that has to be satisfied........If an A.A. member says he doesn’t like his own group, we are not disturbed. We simply say “why don’t you try another one? Or start one of your own” (from Warranty Five) (The general warranties of Conference,Concept 12), written by the co-founder Bill W.)

I think your sponsee was right not to see your point of view on medications while you were with the cult. The group of alcoholics that you describe in your posts is not operating on A.A. principles and appears to me to be a cult of alcoholics masquerading as an A.A. group. An A.A. group would not try to coerce any of its members into staying with the group,nor give amateur advice on medication.”

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

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