Update to “multi fellowship Big Book” event

The latest - in a typical murky saga emanating from Plymouth - is that the event is NOT in fact the work of our pointed headed friends (for a change).... We're informed by Drug Addicts Anonymous that it's actually organised by the partner of a now deceased DAA member. However we note that the flier has been circulated around AA members and, as part of its design, bears the AA logo. This might lead the unwary to believe it is in some way associated with Alcoholics Anonymous … it ISN'T... and a disclaimer to that effect would be helpful in ensuring that newcomers especially are not led to believe otherwise....

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Thanks to our various correspondents for setting us straight... (yeah ...we did a moral inventory, rang our sponsor, got on our knees etc etc....)

The cult "network": Richmond, Ealing, Hampton Wick.....

"Dear aacultwatch,

Having read your information on what determines a 'cult' meeting, I have to say that the Tuesday evening meeting in Richmond [Richmond: How it Works Tuesday 20.00 Unitarian Church, Ormond Rd] is a bit of an odd one. I, personally, would not label it as a 'cult' group, but there does seem to be a 'group within a group' at that particular meeting that practises some 'cult-like' behaviour.

I have been around since 1989 and this meeting has been going for over 10 years. I used to attend regularly but then my attendance became more sporadic until I moved away from the area for a few years. I moved back to West London a year ago and the meeting is now very different. I still see many of the old faces, and most of these people I believe genuinely care about the newcomer and want what's best for them, but as for this 'core group', the ideal is you can't get well unless you have a sponsor, and suddenly it's all-too-obvious what's going on here. The 'core group' seems to be led by an individual (who I believe is a salesman by trade) and appears to have many sponsees who are all given the 'Six Suggestions' and I have heard of a couple of people (who weren't even sponsees of his) being almost 'shouted-down' by this man if they don't do every single item on the list, even if they don't call a newcomer that day. This sort of stuff is incredibly dangerous and off-putting for newcomers. My observation is that this 'core group' (and many of its newer members, such as the young female secretary) are heavily influenced by the nearby 'Ealing gang' (need I say more?). Before I moved away the aforementioned individual was the secretary and all his invited speakers came from Rochester/Strood, and the Tottenham area, plus a couple of people I recognised from 'A Vision for You' when I attended there. I know this website pertains to Alcoholics Anonymous, but an almost identical cult within Cocaine Anonymous has sprung up in the same area and has the same ideals, and it is believed that the 'ringleader' was at one time sponsored within this group.

You also mentioned the Friday meetings in Hampton Wick, and maybe it's worth mentioning that the same people go to this meeting as well. Again, same drill - the majority of those in attendance are working a good program and simply try to help the newcomer. But, quite worryingly, this meeting has some influence from a member from Plymouth (you know what I mean by that, I'm sure - from what I understand she relocated from Plymouth to the area, and no doubt she was told which meetings to go to!), who sponsors most of the women who attend the meeting. I can't help but wonder what kind of message gets carried - although I have heard her sponsees say "I've got to 'phone newcomers" and "I have to call my sponsor".

Once again, these two groups are undermined by the minority of its membership, but I've read on your website about the agenda the 'cult' groups follow (such as the 'politically-approved message' and 'sponsor dependence') and these meetings both spring to mind. Fortunately they don't seem interested on subverting intergroup (as I attend regularly and there has been nothing striking).

I hope this is useful for you. Feel free to publish any of it. I can be emailed for more information.

Regards,

.... [name omitted]"

(Our thanks to this contributor)

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Road to Recovery (Southampton) ... and then Plymouth

We've received information that the Southampton Road to Recovery group ceased to exist as of July this year and has been replaced by the Hedge End group (AA). Thus far the demise of the cult group has been attributed to a general dissatisfaction with the repetitive nature of the chairs, these all being sourced apparently from "like-minded" groups and members ie. Roadies. It is asserted that R2R members no longer attend the meeting and the R2R name has been removed from inclusion in the local Where to Find (although we note that the name is still listed as such on the AA website meeting finder - as indeed, and we feel obliged to point this out here, is the Exeter Tuesday group). The precise accounting for this turn of events tends to vary though. On one hand it is presented simply as a case of the group folding as a consequence of "personalities before principles" then to be replaced by the aforementioned group and a new format - an AA format. Alternatively, and perhaps even more excitingly, it has also been suggested that something of a coup d'etat took place with the changeover occurring when some of "principal members were in the San Antonio Convention", or a case of "when the cats away the mice will play". Either way we have been asked to remove the group's name from inclusion in our Cult: Where to Find (contrary to the belief held in some quarters cult groups for some reason don't like to be included there - we can't think why!). Currently the matter is under review and for the time being this group will remain on the list but with an appropriate note appended. If however other AA groups and members (if not the local intergroup) can confirm for us that this group has indeed abandoned its former affiliation with the Road to Recovery movement (and all its attendant evils ie. abusive and dogmatic sponsorship, misguided advice on prescribed medication etc - see site for the remainder) then we would be more than happy to remove this group completely from our listing, and wish them well in their future endeavours, that is in carrying the AA (not cult) message to the still suffering alcoholic.

PS We should like to point out here that although the aacultwatch team is composed mainly of rather easy going but occasionally bolshie alkies, and more inclined to give people the benefit of the doubt than not (now there's a surprise!) nevertheless we weren't born yesterday, nor do we have excessive quantities of moisture exuding from behind our aural cavities (ooooh we hear you say!). Or to put it another way if any cult group tries to re-brand itself (past, present or future) or otherwise play silly buggers with us (pardon our French!) then you will rapidly enough find your group back up on our Cult Where to Find prontissimo (or faster even than a cult sponsor sacking a recalcitrant sponsee - no surely!... Ye gods... nothing can move that fast we hear you say!! But oh yes most certainly!) and in big red letters to boot! - 'nuff said we think on that!!

And now to the R2R (cult) group in sunny Plymouth..... You didn't think we'd forgotten you did you!!

It seems that since the withdrawal of this group from Plymouth Intergroup things have not been going well for our little pointed headed friends. Firstly the virtual demise of the Great Pretender (otherwise known as Little Wayne or the incredible Shrinking man) has now culminated in his almost complete disappearance (but the less said on that the better). Moreover their attempts to form an intergroup have fallen by the wayside. However these setbacks have not stopped this motley crew from continuing to disrupt Intergroup business with their ex-Intergroup officers proving to be most recalcitrant in handing over documentation etc to the newly installed AA officers. Moreover it would seem - and this is entirely in keeping with their generally parasitic relationship with AA - their members are again seeking office in Plymouth Intergroup. Of course the old brigade of Batman and Robin (aka Jon F and Alexis K) are still churning out homilies for the group's digestion (together with an occasional contribution from the US (ie. the Venerable C from the Pacific Group)). But you remember dear old Jon and Alex don't you? Of course you do - those two chaps who decided to lecture the AA General Secretary in a most - how shall we say - vigorous fashion at Conference..... most disturbing and hardly what might be called “sober” conduct....Still always follow the cult motto: “Do as I say not as I do”. Nevertheless another 'up-and-comer' would seem to be the current acting GSR for the R2R (though GSR to what we cannot say) who indicated at the last Intergroup meeting that he would like to stand for the position of Vice Chair if he were nominated – only one small problem though – no one was prepared to nominated him – could there be a clue here?

Cheerio... for now

The Fellas

(our usual thanks to all contributors)

From the South-West

And so the Road to Recovery Plymouth cult group saga rolls on... and on ... and on......

The word is (well - considerably more than one word to be honest but we'll spare you every inconsequential detail) that the cult group (together with its participating members) has withdrawn not only from Plymouth Intergroup but from South-West region, and is proposing to set up its own Intergroup. This would comprise four Plymouth groups (? - meetings surely!), two in Bournemouth and one in Penzance (we're aware of one Bournemouth group so we'd be interested to know which one is other - and some more details on the Penzance group?). This matter is being discussed by everybody and his dog as far as we can make out - GSO, various Intergroups in the area etc - and the emerging consensus (outside of the Road to Recovery cult group) is that it's an unnecessary duplication of the service structure. However this move on the part of the R2R group is simply an extension of a well established cult strategy - if you can't gain control of an AA group then you set you up a competitor in the same area; the last concern of the cult is AA unity, despite their protestations to the contrary. It is also debatable whether the new Intergroup would be an AA Intergroup at all. Certainly it would be set up in breach of AA Traditions (nothing new there then!) and would simply be using the AA name in order to continue to feed parasitically upon the Fellowship (Note: It's interesting to observe in this connection that when members of the aacultwatch team started to conduct research on the activities of the cult a fair proportion of this was done via the internet. We rapidly encountered a whole mass of websites (forums etc) on the WWW which were extremely hostile to AA, with contributors citing examples of poor treatment (religious dogmatism, anti medication policies, intrusive conduct ie. control freaks, segregation etc - all characteristics of cults) they had received on coming into contact with the fellowship. These accounts were largely quite unrecognisable to us as members of AA, and we were initially inclined to write these complaints off as mere "resentments" on the part of those who were disenchanted with the AA approach ("disease concept", religion, powerlessness, etc). But when we examined the conduct of the cult groups we saw a clear match between their methods and the complaints being voiced on the anti AA websites. We're not going to pretend that every ill can be blamed upon the cult but there is an extraordinary correlation between the cult's dogmatic and intrusive stance and the accusations levelled at AA as a whole, certainly as evidenced by this particular medium. It is clear that the cult groups and their methods are contributing significantly towards presenting AA in an extremely poor light - to this audience at least).

Anyway to get back to Plymouth R2R cult group.... As you may recall we thought it more likely that Little Wayne et al would continue to infest AA for as long as they could get away with it, play the victim role for all it was worth but finally pull back from the brink... going it alone. But contrary to our prediction, and as can be seen from the above, Little Wayne and gang are still set upon their course - to establish their own "brand" - but remain content for the time being to purloin the AA name for as long as it serves their purpose. However in one detail we were spot on - Little Wayne has managed to reprise his favourite role and complains that nobody in Region loves them any more (our irony) but expresses the view that Plymouth Intergroup "had now managed to get rid of Road to Recovery Group" an opinion that was repudiated by the Intergroup in their response, viz: this "was not accurate. Roads members had elected to leave, and it was never the intention of Plymouth to force them out".

Finally, and whichever way it happens, the exit or removal of the R2R cult group from Plymouth Intergroup can only be good for AA. The greater the distance put between these cult groups and the Fellowship, the more this will reduce the damage that is being done to the Fellowship and its programme by these extremists.

A bit of history - the London/Plymouth connection

"David B [one of the founders of the cult movement within AA] a number of years ago wanted to be elected to the GSB [General Service Board]. They had other ideas and was refused - he sulked - the following year ( 1995 or thereabouts) the GSB were involved in forming a new constitution relating to the application of the concepts in this country. They made some errors and subsequently rectified them and apologised (Step 10). David B's gang seized upon this and started a campaign down in the South West to try and get a vote of no confidence in the GSB. They wanted the Board to be removed. People in the area were resistant to the notion and refused to back the campaign. Their region refused the proposal and in fact made a vote of confidence in the board. This movement was led by the Chelsea intergroup (David B's patch). Then followed a dirty tricks campaign which involved people's anonymity being broken (eg letters being sent to members' homes with the AA logo on the outside of the envelope). They still had no impact. I believe that these events are the impetus behind the current Taliban campaign. They failed to achieve their ends and so they are seeking to subvert AA via the current methods. This could further show that there is a deliberate strategy to take over AA by these thugs....."

....which brings us back to Little Wayne. The word is that he's discovered IT'S COLD OUT THERE - and is panicking about his and the cult's move to form a separate Intergroup. Apparently a reconciliation is in the offing and noises are being made about the cult rejoining (ie taking over) Plymouth Intergroup again. Our prediction is that Tradition One will be much bandied about, the cult will go into all out "victim mode" and play the part for all its worth, and AA will repeat the same old mistakes (remember the AA definition of insanity!!) and allow them back into the fold, where they will continue to inflict as much damage on AA as they can in pursuit of their own agenda (some groups - and members - never learn). But IT IS worth remembering that the cult groups have identifiable connections with non-AA organisations (in breach of the Traditions) - much of their literature is derived from these sources (as is their programme), some have connections to commercial interests (in some instances advertising their wares on their websites)(in breach of the Traditions), none of them even have a nodding acquaintance with the recovery programme of Alcoholics Anonymous (ie. the one in the Big Book) and they are run by a core group of individuals whose primary interests certainly are not those of AA but rather their own self aggrandisement (sponsorship idolatry, circuit speakers ("big fish in little ponds"), local gurus etc) (in breach of the Traditions). Still at least one good thing will come out of all of this - we'll be able to say "WE TOLD YOU SO!!" - Every cloud has a....

Over to you

Cheerio

The Fellas

Intolerance & Disunity

One of the aacultwatch team came across this little gem recently - and we've taken the title straight off the cult website which published the article in question. It could almost become the cult "motto" - they are, after all, its most active proponents.

It is truly fascinating, and indeed never fails to take our breath away, the sheer arrogance and obtuseness of a cult member in full flight. Apparently this particular individual is feeling rather peeved because he's been on the receiving end of some somewhat impolitic behaviour on the part of a few AA members. This conduct might even be construed as abuse, but then abuse comes in many forms, doesn't it? For example, the widespread and systematic manipulation, brainwashing and outright intimidation of newcomers by members of the cult groups might be regarded in some quarters as a form of abuse - but we're not going to go into that here - the remainder of site contains ample evidence on this theme.

You'll no doubt be relieved to hear we're not going to give you a blow-by-blow account of the article; the original is easily viewed - but we suggest only by those with a strong stomach.

We should commence by saying that one of the favoured tactics of a cult member, when the pressure is starting to tell, is to go into "victim" mode. By playing the "underdog" - the "poor misunderstood fellow with only the best of intentions" - he may then go on to play the "wronged party" and thus move neatly into depicting everyone else at fault, "not working the programme" etc. Does this sound at all familiar to you? We think so.

So this particular plaint starts off with a lecture on the AA logo, the legacies it depicts, and an explanation of how the Traditions evolved. Now the favourite tradition of the cult is Tradition One, and our "poor innocent" goes on to quote this:

'Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.'

Now there's no question that it's an important tradition but for the cult it serves another quite distinct purpose. It is frequently brandished by them as a means of stifling any dissenting voice, for this might "threaten" AA unity. It should be noted that this particular concern does not seem to worry the cult unduly when they happen to be that dissenting voice - Alexis K (cult member - Road to Recovery, Plymouth - and famous abuser of the General Secretary of Alcoholics Anonymous - see here) has expounded in detail on this one, and his verbal dexterity would be impressive, that is if one were easily impressed - and we're not. So any sign that AA members might dislike the way the cult conducts its business, or worse, dare to express that, shall we say, revulsion, then this tradition is immediately cited, and thus order (cult order) is restored. But the tradition that you rarely hear mentioned by the pointed headed ones is Tradition Four - see Big Book - because that really does cramp their style. Yet again an attempt has been made on their website to reinvent this Tradition - but yet again we're not easily impressed. But usually it's simpler to either misquote the tradition or ignore it completely - and the cult do both - it really doesn't serve their purposes.

The plaintiff then moves onto to describe in glowing terms his endeavours to go forth into heathen lands (ie AA meetings) to spread the "wonderful message of recovery that was so freely given to me". Now we're sure you're all thinking: "Well! He can't be such a bad lad, not with such fine intentions, and we do think you (aaccultwatch) are being a bit harsh on him". And you know what? We think you're right. In fact we'd go even further and say we KNOW you're right. And how do we know? Why! The fellow tells us so himself. We quote: "I believe that I am by nature a well-mannered, friendly, kind and gentle young man". Well there you go! How could such a fine fellow be subjected to such gross impoliteness as displayed by these nasty, nasty AA members. You should hang your heads in shame! Apparently some of these villains (a "small minority") would refuse "to shake my hand and even swear at me sometimes in a disgusting manner". Furthermore, the fellow goes on to explain - and we can even now see the look of innocent bewilderment spreading over his saintly face: "I was mortified by this as I had done nothing to harm these people by either word or deed". Well this is shocking stuff! We then discover that the reason for this hostile welcome is down to the home group attended by our budding martyr - the local cult group. Now the fellow becomes "baffled" for this is the very group which "showed me exactly what I needed to do to recover from alcoholism quickly and easily with loving kindness." (our emphasis – part of cult propaganda) He then goes on to describe in "clone speak" his recovery and the fact that he did not respond to these attacks in like fashion but instead would still offer "my hand to shake in fellowship, smile saying hello" etc ad nauseam. A little bit of reality kicks in at this point and the fellow admits to "curs[ing] them behind their back as I have got feelings you know, and we are a sensitive lot us alcoholics after all. But face to face I treat them with loving kindness in the hope that one day they will see me as the good-hearted man and alcoholic that I am...". Well, by now we've clearly identified who the goody is, and who the baddies are, haven't we! And we've discovered one of his priorities - image is all!

And now the denouement: "Sadly the day finally came when I felt unwelcome in an AA meeting for the first time because of the growing attacks against myself and my home group". A confrontation occurs and he claims that "most of the members there apologised and joined me in solidarity". Subsequently it seems that other members - presumably that ubiquitous "minority" (cult speak for the rest of AA) - join in the attack - and the "minority" view has its day, and our "good-hearted" fellow walks out of the meeting in disgust. The source of contention seems to be the cult group's "policy" on medication, which, like everything else it is involved in, is grossly intrusive. Apparently this group has its very own policy on the subject. Now please let us break the news to you - AA already has guidelines on the matter - and they've been around some time now. We don't really need any more. (The problem for the cult is that it has such a well proven track record of saying one thing in public and practising quite another in private (particularly with regard to the prescribed medication issue) that its primary mode of expression has become "the lie"; and the bigger the better. So it really is rather disingenuous to play the innocent when it comes to matters of fact and record)

To continue: it would seem that so devastated was this fellow by what had taken place, and even with his own reactions, that he rang up a "highly respected old-timer that was at that meeting" who in turn conveniently provided the "victim" with the justification and rationalisation that he so desperately needed. It turns out that our "well-mannered, friendly, kind and gentle young man" had retained his reputation and it was in fact the fault of all the others, those nasty, unkind, "off the programme" members at the meeting. He was told that he had "done nothing wrong" and that moreover he ("the highly respected old-timer") was surprised that it had taken me so long to react to all the attacks against me over the previous two years" - thus our almost flawless friend is rendered "reputation intacta".

So shaken was he that he even considered: "I felt that I couldn't go to any other meetings again apart from my home group". This is presented as some dreadful punishment inflicted upon this hapless and entirely blameless victim by the wicked AA members. But the fact is that most cult members are actively encouraged not to attend AA meetings for fear that they might be contaminated by the diluted and erroneous programme practised there. They only venture forth either in little bands on poaching missions, or on "missionary work" amongst the benighted heathen ie. AA. Unfortunately for us he has decided to continue with his selfless endeavours amongst us poor lost souls, and will continue to "do as much service as I can in line with the 12 traditions of AA" (that is except for Tradition Four) The "victim" concludes with this little insight - and we do mean "little": "Coincidentally I have found that the small minority [there it is again] causing so much damage to unity within AA are often the ones that say that they don’t read the Big Book, bad-mouth the 12 Steps and have no interest or regard for the 12 Traditions. Bill W. was right when he said that if AA doesn’t survive it will be because it was destroyed from within."

So there you have it. The reason why we have gone into some length upon this particular individual is that he most clearly illustrates the mind set of the average cult member (those who are suitably on-message). He clearly establishes his credentials as the aggrieved party in the whole matter, and not once does it cross his mind that there might be some reason behind this antagonistic response to his presence in an AA meeting (we refer you to the Big Book - pp. 61-62). His image must be maintained at all times and and he wants to be thought of only in his own terms. Failure to comply with this particular perspective can only be because everyone else is "wrong" and he must be "right". Finally, anyone who fails to share this viewpoint is, of course, part of a "small minority", who are entirely bent upon damaging AA unity, who know nothing of the the Big Book blah blah blah... Well, we can't speak for AA (since no one does) but we can speak for ourselves, and here's a little insight from us. The members of the aacultwatch team ARE well acquainted with the Big Book, DON'T bad-mouth the 12 Steps, and HAVE A CONSIDERABLE INTEREST AND REGARD for the 12 Traditions. The problem is that we have to deal with a "minority" of cult members, posing as AA members, whose ignorance of these areas is literally stupefying, and quite probably irremediable.

Finally might we suggest, and of course in all humility - a virtue seemingly lacking in our "victim" - that the next time he attends an AA meeting perhaps he would be well advised to keep the orifice beneath his nose tightly zipped, and the holes on either side of his head wide open - he might actually become acquainted with the recovery programme of Alcoholics Anonymous rather than the perversion put about by the cult.

And finally finally - if that fails to do the trick then might we suggest that he follow the advice of Little Wayne (Plymouth Road to Recovery cult group):

"....just walk on by because there is nothing here for you"

Cheerio

The Fellas