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!

“non AA literature” - that means ANYTHING!

Extracts from old aacutlwatch forum:

“Don't quite see how that is the case given that (what I take to be) the parts you are referring to are listed as "Unofficial AA Sites".

Isn't that rather like the guideline that says you can have non-AA literature in a meeting provided that it is on a separate table from our stuff.

Even if that shouldn't be on the website how does that make it cultish??”

and:

“... which illustrates precisely the point - that by establishing such a guideline a precedent is set for the display not only of "non-AA literature" (which means literally anything) but also by extension other forms of communication (e.g. DVDs, CDs, and of course websites). Therefore, it can easily be envisaged that a group (or groups) could end up disseminating information to the newcomer which they (the newcomer) would take in turn to be legitimate guidance on recovery whereas in fact this literature (websites etc) simply reflects the personal preferences (and biases) of those people making the selections. In the case of conference approved literature it is to be hoped that this material has been scrutinised by a wider range of individuals (and over a longer period of time) and such biases have been eliminated (or least minimised) - or in other words - why bother having any kind of general scrutiny other than to ensure that the information supplied is not misleading or contrary to AA traditions? In theory I could argue in my group that we should carry literature on the harm-minimisation approach (non-AA literature) and should anyone object I can simply point out (and by citing the Big Book) firstly to the different "types" of alcoholics, and moreover that not everyone attending the meeting may in fact be an alcoholic (this last defined in whatever way I choose) and therefore such literature might be helpful. Should this fail I can point to the conference guideline and say that it allows for such literature etc. Of course the group may decide against it but then of course I could go off and start my own group (quite legitimately) together with like-minded people (naturally) and display such literature, and we could still call ourselves an AA group. The notion that simply putting the non-AA stuff on a separate table and that this somehow distances it from "authentic AA" is about as daft a notion as the quaint idea (in the days when people still smoked in meetings) that one side of the room could be set aside for the smokers and the other for the non-smokers, and that somehow, and quite magically, the smoke would never migrate from one section to another.

As for the cult activities of this group take a look at the website [Wimbledon Design for Living] - seems pretty cultish to me whichever way you cut it – and then appearances can be deceptive – most cults present an attractive front to newcomers – the soft sell, followed by the hard sell – followed by.....”

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Encounters with the Wimbledon Design for Living (cult) group (Sunday)

Extracts from old aacultwatch forum: 

“........ briefly (and on the basis of just one attendance) we were regaled at one point by the local "bleeding deacon" on the evils of medication (contrary to AA guidelines), got a lecture on "pseudo- spirituality" (addressed presumably at all those whose beliefs didn't quite conform to whatever norm was set by the local guru) and who then proceeded to make recommendations to the group on the disposal of group funds (which were themselves a breach of Tradition 7). Not a bad effort for just one meeting eh! And incidentally the group still displays non-conference approved literature through which I had a quick browse and some of which was recommended to me (and indeed thrust into my hands gratis) by that same bleeding deacon (and this after I had quite insouciantly indicated I had not seen this literature on display at other meetings).  Not much doubt who runs this group!” 

“Firstly, I am delighted to have found this site after a year of turning away from AA because of a sponsor from the Design for Living Group.

Discovering this site has spurred me to revisit the meetings in Wimbledon, excluding my previous home group.

I was a lucky recipient of rehab in …..... in October 2008 and three months later emerged committed to AA and furnished with the tools to remain sober.

Emotionally I was a soft-boiled egg without a shell, and experienced those inexplicable emotional trips and falls which AA enabled me to work through.

I spent another 3 months in ….... and I attended 2 meetings a week where you were effectively 'nailed' by the chair to identify every time. It was scary but empowering - especially an English middle-aged 'Sheila' amongst predominantly tough 'Bruces'. I made friends. 

Returning to my home in Wimbledon in the summer of 2009 I followed suggestions and attended many meetings whilst seeking a sponsor with many years clean. Unfortunately I fell in with a duo at Design for Living who demoralised me. One became my sponsor, although they operated as a pair. I was led to believe I had not even passed Step One and needed to attend 5 meetings weekly. I had plans to sell my home and move back to …...... but was advised by my sponsor to remain in my flat, draw back from my family, and cover my bosom!

I was thoroughly miserable and found myself questioning the enormous commitment I was being asked to make at the expense of my previously established new found confidence. Was I really just at the beginning again?

Visiting at one of the duo's homes, the sight of an industrial-sized Jesus on his cross hanging from the wall began to ring warning bells.

As I was driven to a meeting one Sunday the other side of town by the duo, instead of visiting my family, I was asked to read my daily journal aloud. I was questioned by the elder of the duo in a Spanish inquisition style at every sentence. I realised I was not being treated as an equal where we were sharing experience, strength and hope, but rather as a novice who needed to be shown the light. 

I found myself fighting for my right to be me and sharing about this at meetings. It felt contrary to the warmth the fellowship had first given me. 

I stopped going to meetings December 2009 and fell into a clinical depression for which I was prescribed medication. I withdrew and isolated and have just surfaced with renewed hope gained from quiet contemplation and rest. And having discovered this site and had my misgivings validated, I shall be going to a meeting tomorrow in Wimbledon, by my own design!

Thank you Fellas !”

Comment: None needed!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous …. the real one!)

Newbury Design for Living (affiliated with Wimbledon DFL)

The word is that the Newbury Design for Living group, which closed back in September 2011, has been resurrected as the Wednesday NEWBURY MIDWEEK RECOVERY group – same people and with a sponsee of Dorothy (Wimbledon DFL “grand fromage”) as GSR.

For those who may not recall the Wimbledon group runs a website which includes links to “outside organisations” (including at least one that has commercial interests). Additionally a plentiful supply of non conference approved literature can be found at the Wimbledon meeting (despite us being told that this had been withdrawn – naughty naughty!). The Where to Find entry for the Newbury group indicates that they are: “Group Not in A Region / GROUP NOT IN AN INTERGROUP / “ although an application has been put in with Thames Valley Intergroup recently to remedy this. We shall see though what we shall see.....

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Newbury Design for Living (affiliated with the Wimbledon Design for Living group)

It would seem that the above group is in a state of suspended animation. According to the online update the venue itself is closed although other sources indicate that this is not the case. However don't be at all surprised if it should resurface - properly rebranded of course! The Wimbledon branch however is still going strong although we might say that one of its attendees has been rather economical with the truth. Despite the fact that we were told by this person that only conference approved literature was on display we found on our last visit that alongside this was a whole load of other stuff - booklets, pamphlets, even CDs (no doubt the production of some eminent “circuit speakers” plying their trade), some of which carried the imprimatur of the Wimbledon Design for Living Group. But then of course variety is the spice of life! (assuming that there is no 'poison' intermixed!)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(our usual thanks to our reporters)