Alcohol
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Hello my brother 
Hmmm, well, I guess I have not paid much attention to some of the things that others are finding so contentious, though I did notice one person in particular seeming to go out of their way repeatedly to be so. Or maybe it is just their way. Anyways, I would like to say that I have advocated freedom of choice in my posts. I even stated in one post that in AA, if people are unsure about whether or not they are an alcoholic, they are encouraged to go and find out if they are powerless over alcohol or not. There is quite a stigmatism attached to admissions of powerlessness over substances and/or behaviours, and nobody really wants to say they are an alcoholic or an addict, at least at first. There are those who do not have a problem with alcohol, and this too I have multiple times acknowledged
However, many are saying all things in moderation, when moderation is not always possible or called for for all. When alcohol has been the cause of much offense in a person's life, it is quite Biblical to "cut it off," and to do so completely. So yes we become a new person in Christ, free of the chains that bound us, but this does not mean that everyone is then automatically free to drink as others do or can.
In my life, my desire for sobriety is a requirement for membership in AA and NA. It is true I could still go to meetings and I could still carry a message even without multiple years of clean time, but the clean time also speaks for itself. Many are those who come to the rooms of NA especially, and say they could not believe that anyone could stay clean for any significant amount of time. Sometimes even thirty days to such people seems a significant amount of time. Being able to show people that the program works is important in giving them hope to believe that it can also work for them. Remember, this program of which I speak has at its core the development and maintenance of an ongoing personal relationship with God.
While for some here they believe it is okay for them to drink, since they have never had any significant problem with substance abuse, that is all well and good for them. For others, drinking and behaviors that came out while under the influence were an ongoing offense that was eventually cut off. I give glory to God in acknowledging His hand in my sobriety. I carry that message via my experience, strength, and hope, into the rooms where people are looking for help from substance abuse.
Hmmm, well, I guess I have not paid much attention to some of the things that others are finding so contentious, though I did notice one person in particular seeming to go out of their way repeatedly to be so. Or maybe it is just their way. Anyways, I would like to say that I have advocated freedom of choice in my posts. I even stated in one post that in AA, if people are unsure about whether or not they are an alcoholic, they are encouraged to go and find out if they are powerless over alcohol or not. There is quite a stigmatism attached to admissions of powerlessness over substances and/or behaviours, and nobody really wants to say they are an alcoholic or an addict, at least at first. There are those who do not have a problem with alcohol, and this too I have multiple times acknowledged However, many are saying all things in moderation, when moderation is not always possible or called for for all. When alcohol has been the cause of much offense in a person's life, it is quite Biblical to "cut it off," and to do so completely. So yes we become a new person in Christ, free of the chains that bound us, but this does not mean that everyone is then automatically free to drink as others do or can.
In my life, my desire for sobriety is a requirement for membership in AA and NA. It is true I could still go to meetings and I could still carry a message even without multiple years of clean time, but the clean time also speaks for itself. Many are those who come to the rooms of NA especially, and say they could not believe that anyone could stay clean for any significant amount of time. Sometimes even thirty days to such people seems a significant amount of time.
Being able to show people that the program works is important in giving them hope to believe that it can also work for them. Remember, this program of which I speak has at its core the development and maintenance of an ongoing personal relationship with God.While for some here they believe it is okay for them to drink, since they have never had any significant problem with substance abuse, that is all well and good for them. For others, drinking and behaviors that came out while under the influence were an ongoing offense that was eventually cut off. I give glory to God in acknowledging His hand in my sobriety. I carry that message via my experience, strength, and hope, into the rooms where people are looking for help from substance abuse.
In fact, my desire to stay clean and sober is the only requirement for my membership, as per the third tradition in either fellowship. Because I am a long term member, my testimony does carry more weight if I am clean and sober. In other words, not just talking the talk, but walking the walk. Notice that it does say the desire to stop. One can call themself a member without actually giving up anything. In fact, I did go to meetings for years without giving up my substances. I went to listen to people talking about life on life's terms. I went to hear the truth about the human condition, so I could start coming to grips with it. And then at some point, I was given the gift of desperation, not around the substances so much, but other things that were causing me pain and suffering, and I finally became willing. Of course it was all related
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
“The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.” (NA)
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
“The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.” (NA)
Okay, so the only requirement for membership is the desire to stop. However, most meetings are open, which means you do not even have to identify as an addict or alcoholic to attend, you can come to see what is going on, see if you relate, find out what people are doing in these rooms, is there anything here for you? You don't even need the desire to stop to attend! People have all kinds of preconceived ideas before they come. Their lives are often changed in very profound ways as a direct result of investigating for themselves, because they enter into a process of making straight their ways.
Eh, hey that is funny! But I was adding to what I had said, about how moderation
is not for everyone, especially those who have had a problem, and perhaps even
more so for those like me who wish to help those seeking to overcome the same
problems. I have been going to 12 step meetings since the end of 1988! I originally
got clean and sober and quit smoking in 1994. Then I started smoking again seven
years later and within a year was in full blown relapse. I understand the fallen
nature of humanity quite well through my own experiences.
At the end of almost a year after I relapsed, I had a supernatural encounter that
rocked my world. It was not my first encounter. Within a year I had laid down
what remained of my opposition to God. I believe I am a born again Christian.
I understand and accept the propitiatory sacrifice Jesus Christ made
on our behalf out of His great love for us, after having run from God
for the majority of my life in rebellion and defiance.
Also, it is not just because I have a desire to help others that I keep going
to 12 step meetings. Going to meetings also helps me. I listen to people
share their struggles, their challenges, their suffering, sorrows, joys,
triumphs, and victories. It is an awesome experience to be in a room
of people allowing themselves to be vulnerable enough to expose their
character defects openly to others. It is cathartic and illuminating.
is not for everyone, especially those who have had a problem, and perhaps even
more so for those like me who wish to help those seeking to overcome the same
problems. I have been going to 12 step meetings since the end of 1988! I originally
got clean and sober and quit smoking in 1994. Then I started smoking again seven
years later and within a year was in full blown relapse. I understand the fallen
nature of humanity quite well through my own experiences.
At the end of almost a year after I relapsed, I had a supernatural encounter that
rocked my world. It was not my first encounter. Within a year I had laid down
what remained of my opposition to God. I believe I am a born again Christian.
I understand and accept the propitiatory sacrifice Jesus Christ made
on our behalf out of His great love for us, after having run from God
for the majority of my life in rebellion and defiance.
Also, it is not just because I have a desire to help others that I keep going
to 12 step meetings. Going to meetings also helps me. I listen to people
share their struggles, their challenges, their suffering, sorrows, joys,
triumphs, and victories. It is an awesome experience to be in a room
of people allowing themselves to be vulnerable enough to expose their
character defects openly to others. It is cathartic and illuminating.
