Re: Surrey St Sunday meeting (Croydon)

From our correspondent:

"Dear AA cultwatch,......

Two months ago some male members from the group began expressing concerns that during Sunday fellowship a group claiming to be 'Back to Basics' where using very assertive canvassing and recruitment techniques to get

men on their program. 

...... this group discuss, for example, that there is no need for a sponsor as it is not in the Big Book. All this of course occurred outside of an AA setting. Nevertheless I relayed my concerns, and those of the other men, to the all (apart from me) female committee. 

In the last week, things have progressed to the point that Back to Basics are now using the same room that AA have their meetings in to host post meeting group sessions. My phone calls to GSO confirm that Back to Basics is not endorsed by AA. B2B has crossed the line and is becoming increasingly clear that men are no longer returning to Surrey st meetings as they feel B2B is not 'in the spirit of AA'. 

B2B are subtle with their approach and never mention B2B when they share at either meeting. Please spread the word regarding Back to Basics and what is happening with AA in Croydon....." (edits to preserve anonymity)

Comment: Back to Basics has essentially been set up as Wally P's pension pot. It's a programme rip off that makes all sorts of claims to success rates (as yet unsubstantiated). It forms part of the Big Book recovery 'industry' where 'experts' of all shapes and sizes peddle their wares in the hope of making a few bucks (and massaging their already frail egos) on the side. But if you don't fancy the text based (overnight success 'guaranteed') approach then you can always opt to join the sponsor 'fetishists' (Road to Recovery, Joys of Recovery, Clancy I blah blah blah) club. Here you can happily dispense with the need to seek out a Higher Power .. one will be provided for you ... in the shape of yet another 'wise guy' (or gal .. let's not be sexist here!) who will happily organise your life for you .. No need to think for yourself or ask for God's guidance (if you're inclined that way). Just ring up your sponsor and they'll tell you ALL you need to know and do ... Or ...... you could just go along to a bog standard AA meeting, sit down, drink your beverage, munch on a biccie and listen to other people as they share their experience of getting and staying sober in the REAL world You might even chip in with a few thoughts yourself. And then you just go out and DO it! And guess what! That works as well! Who'd have thought it! It couldn't be that simple could it? Yep. It's just that simple....

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous .. and big fans of Keeping It Simple)

PS Thanks to our correspondent

Update on Plymouth (cult) Intergroup

Our contributor writes:

“IT'S ROTTEN!!!!

If this were an episode of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, the above phrase would be ringing in your ears - and there is no more appropriate phrase to describe- what is left - of Plymouth Intergroup.

Where do we begin?

Facts and figures -

85% of all positions remain vacant, 10% of those in position are 'Caretaking' the role until someone takes over (12th of Never, should you ask) which leaves 5% elected and in position Treasurer and Where To Find (absent from more meetings than he has attended).

The R-T-R contingent have all stepped out of their positions, and have done this early - having achieved nothing in their time in position. And their excuses boarder on hilarious - I've got a baby now (hmmm.....this is an hour and a half meeting once every two months, not a full time 40hr per week position) - I thought I needed to rotate out at this time - oh well, I've missed the last meeting so I'll just step down now - are amongst the best and most recent.

R-T-R love love love taking up service positions at Intergroup, and drop them before they are due to rotate out - it's a form of control, I'm sure.

The number of GSR's represented at Intergroup coup now be counted on one hand, and would still give you fingers left over. It has become an established fact that Plymouth Intergroup is a waste of time.

Now, shall we look at who's left?

The Treasurer - the ultimate control freak. The most recent meeting was moved to accommodate her being there. Heaven forbid that she may not be able to attend, hence we were given days of notice that the meeting was moved, and this lead to an all time low attendance.

Now, GSO have told groups that they may keep a reserve of money to use for local work, PI etc - this was discussed some 6 months ago, and Plymouth Intergroup decided to hold back a portion of money to use. You will see how this links in to the start of this letter, as there is no one in position to do any additional work! So Plymouth, the Intergroup that haemorrhaged money whilst the previous Treasurer, a R-T-R member, gambled the lot away! So an Intergroup that cannot be trusted to manage its finances is allowed to keep a higher surplus and not send it to GSO!!!

It beggars belief!

Plymouth Intergroup is, unfortunately, a non-functioning body.

Nobody is allowed to join and everybody leaves...it provides a platform for AA members to be seen to be doing 'service' - service being sitting down in a room for barely 90 minutes, 30 of those spent trying to avoid the halitosis of the R-T-R GSR, who ALWAYS has to find a point from the previous meetings minutes, no matter how small, to go over - several times. Given the choice I feel that he would pull apart the grammar, spelling, syntax and type font used - as long as it showed that he was doing service.

So we concluded our update - a rotten non-functioning Intergroup, that does nothing to spread the message, nothing to enable members to take part and nothing to send the correct sums of money to GSO (you never know, someone, one day, might, just might use some money to spread the message - but then again. No.) But we will see what happens at the next meeting, once the Treasurer has decided a date convenient for herself.

As always -

InTheKnow”

Comment: In reading this piece we are inevitably reminded of the Dead Parrot sketch c/o Monty Python. … and the proper response (suggested) to any cult member who offers to sponsor you!

Thanks to our correspondent

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous …. and satire generally!)

Lambeth Beginners Step (Monday)

Our correspondent writes:

“LAMBETH BEGINNERS STEP CHIP 7pm St Anne's and All Saints Church, Miles Street. Attendees at the Friday group you mention [See our Cult Where to Find GB] (South Lambeth Beginners Big Book Study 7pm St Anne and All Saints) below have to attend the Monday group too - same format (Vision), same sponsors ….. same 2 names (Nick and Lewis) given as contacts. You can't mention one without the other! They go hand in hand and attendees must attend both Monday AND Friday meetings where the tiny group of sponsors hold great influence and sway. Woe betide you if you share anything but joy - pain is most definitely not allowed!”

They go on to mention the “control and strange daily rituals” prevalent in these groups (Miles Street and the Ashmole meeting) together with the “daily torrent of phone calls starting early am and going on till late … as they [newcomers] ticked off their duty to call 2 newcomers a day. It felt like harassment and I stopped going to AA”.

Fortunately our correspondent reports that they subsequently discovered REAL AA, found a “sensible sponsor” with some REAL experience of REAL recovery and now participates in “very happy NORMAL [our emphasis] step based recovery”.

Comment: Of course you can't blame newcomers for their conduct. They don't know any better. If all you were exposed to was fear based recovery (which, after all, is what the cult is all about) then you'd start doing weird stuff as well! With its never ending list of do's and dont's (we're surprised the cult haven't added the prohibition 'don't step on the cracks in the pavement or you'll drink' to their already extensive list of mostly absurd rules) it's hardly surprising that newcomers exist in a state of almost constant fear of relapse. The fact is that your average alcoholic having once grasped the essential truths that if you drink you're fucked EVERYTIME, that you'd better stop FOR GOOD, and that if you think otherwise you're totally BONKERS can stay sober EASILY... It's a piece of cake.... It doesn't require ANY EFFORT at all .. you can do any damn thing you want as long as you keep your shit together (with or without a god in your life) and leave the sauce alone. You can practise any damn programme you feel like (or none at all). You don't NEED a sponsor or HAVE to write endless (very boring) gratitude lists, pester newcomers, shave every day (we kid you not!) and all the rest of the stuff that the cult parade as being the “essentials” of recovery. Willingness, honesty and open mindedness are all that is required as far as we know... and that's not too difficult is it! So lighten up! Seize the carp (as in carpe diem), have fun, fuck up a few times and enjoy the ride! (Ooooh! What terribly unsober language!!)

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous … and all round anarchists!)

PS Thanks to our correspondent

Purley (cult) meetings .. the medication issue …. again!

Here we go … again! Will they never learn?? 

 

We were recently contacted by a member from the Wimbledon area who told us that the Purley cult group is sending “out 'reps' to other meetings telling members that they are not sober if they take medication such as anti depressants.” Apparently the issue is going to be raised at the local intergroup (London South West .. so good luck with that!). 

 Our correspondent continues:

“There was a recent incident of one girl who was told to stop her anti depressant by one of these 'reps'. As a result of coming off her prescribed medication this girl tried to take her own life and is now recovering in hospital and does not want to go to AA. In fact her mother has contacted the General Service Office and seeking further advice. This just cannot be allowed to happen and is NOT AA.

The[re] is a leaflet on AA and medication which clearly states we do not give advice but there is a growing number of people who are doing just that and not adhering to the traditions and principles of AA. More worryingly they are blaming others who have expressed concerns and spreading malicious gossip. And as we know gossip is a killer. The yellow card is being broken time and many people are not feeling safe in these Wimbledon meetings.”

Does any of this sound familiar? .. 'Fraid so... The 'nutters' are still out there carrying the 'disease'. For their edification (if no one else's) here is the relevant (conference approved) leaflet: The A.A. Member—Medications and Other Drugs 

(You've got to wonder if any of these jokers can actually read! Maybe sign language?? Two fingered salute perhaps!)

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our correspondent wanted to remain anonymous not only for the usual reasons (ie. traditions)....but also concern about 'reprisals'. So not only 'nutters' but thugs as well... business as usual!

Cult meetings update: Beckenham and Notting Hill

We've been told that the Beckenham Wednesday night meeting has reverted to AA (but we're going to leave it listed in our Cult directory for the UK anyway. Members will easily be able to tell if it's AA or not ie. absence of dogma, nobody issuing orders etc etc)

On the other hand you'll find no end of 'suggestions' at the Notting Hill Vision for You venue on Friday night. Here you will be told what you can and cannot share (even being interrupted in mid flow so we're told! Spot the control freak!). Of course this approach has absolutely nothing to do with AA. Pure cult!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Thanks to our correspondent

Cult meeting notice

More details (not mentioned on the AA website): the group is part of the Road to Recovery franchise ... Sharing MUST centre on sponsorship .. remember in the cult the Higher Power IS your sponsor ..oh! ... nearly forgot! No FUCKING swearing permitted!

What a load of bollocks!

The Fellas (Frigging Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS For other cults in AA check out Primary Purpose and Back to Basics (the latter a nice little earner!)

Minority Report 2017 (Alcoholics Anonymous): "Synanon Cult influence on Alcoholics Anonymous, Addiction Treatment and the Criminal Justice System 1968-2017"

The latest version of the Minority Report submitted: 12.01.17 to GSO (Great Britain) for consideration as a topic for Conference 2018

Authors: Members of Alcoholics Anonymous resident in Great Britain

Abstract: 

 

Comment: In due course we will be disseminating this report via a number of routes to other agencies throughout Great Britain (and the US) for their consideration. This is a matter of substantial public interest.

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)