re: Anyone here in Alcoholics Anonymous IRL?

3 years sober. I had a lot of issues with AA. Got sober using the Sinclair Method - changed my life. Saw it posted on here a few years back when I was wasted drunk. Tried it and low and behold it worked.

Biggest issue with AA is that the 12 step method is from the 1930's and has between a 3-8% success rate. It's considered a treatment for alcoholism, but when it doesn't work they blame the patient. What other form of treatment for a disease out there blames the patient when the medicine doesn't work?

So in a sense. Tiger Droppings saved my life? IDK

After many attempts of "quitting drinking" I finally was forced into AA by my office in December 1985. I stayed sober for 5 years by going to meetings. I then thought I had it beat. I eventually went back out in April 1994 which ended poorly. I was fortunate enough to get back in in November 1995 and have been sober ever since. I really do not go to meetings anymore, but people who know me know that I do not drink. They have sent me friends who are thinking of stopping alcohol and I am happy to help them.

AA may not be for everyone, but it was essential to me and I believe I owe AA my life. Had I continued to drink scotch whiskey the way I used to, I am sure I would not be alive today. I tell everyone who asks me about how to stop - put as much time as possible between your last drink and today. I do not think I could have done it without AA.

Yes, some see it as a cult, there are definite cliques in the organization, and I am sure that people can find all sorts of fault with AA. I will say this - it is the only organization to which I have ever belonged that wants to see everyone succeed. I wish anyone who is trying to quit alcohol the very best and would recommend AA as a starting point.


ETA: And Mr. Bach, I often used a line from your movie, "Arthur" when asked by a bartender if I thought I had had enough. My response was the same as yours, "I want more than enough."

Right here. Quit drinking on Ash Wednesday 2019 for lent after I realized how bad it was getting, went to my first AA meeting and haven't had another ounce of alcohol in my body. Best decision I've ever made, I keep my coin in my pocket every day and thank God every chance I get that I haven't had a drink. Who knows what would have happened to me if I didn't stop, if I'd be here at all. I was in a very very bad place for years leading up to taking the first step.

Alcoholics just can’t handle hangovers

Not anymore but I do have a good grasp on why I drink. NA was more my thing but even then I was just going through the motions at one point. Left in the middle of a meeting and never went back. Stayed sober for a couple years and then I got married. I have plenty of reasons to drink and even more reasons not to get at it like I use to. Now my biggest issue is justifying the cost.

I have a close family number that has been in AA for ~20 years and I have known a few others. They’re all insufferable evangelists. But it seems to work for them.

Booze never gripped me, but I drank often socially. Though I didn’t get fricked up for a good decade, I gave it up almost a year ago and see no reason to drink again. Being sober for long periods of time is a great way to live. A drink or two just never did anything for me. And the wear and tear from 3-5 beers so often just isn’t worth it to me.

Narcotics anonymous. Chicks fresh out of rehab are absolutely dtf.

Sorry bigbobby beat me to it.

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I went to AA for a bit when I first got sober. Bunch of folks sitting around talking about drinking just made me want to drink more. It wasn’t for me, but its worked for a lot of people.

yep