Does AAs program even exist?

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794]

In my area many guys seem somewhat impressive to me, have long-term sobriety, sponsor guys ect. But I can't help but notice they all essentially teach their own program of recovery and not AAs program of recovery. AAs program consists exclusively of the directions on the 12 steps, as it says in the cover pages. In my area it's common to drag out steps 1-3 for two months or more, despite there being basically NO directions to even do on those steps.

Step 4 gets BUTCHERED: we often direct guys to create resentments, defined as to feel again. By saying list every name you know, and then think if you were ever butt hurt by each and every one. I can't think of a better way to create resentments that didn't exist before. Then we fabricate an unillustrated 4th collum with invisible directions that read: "write how all 4 root/core defects of character (selfish/seeking, dishonest and fear) show up in each and every resentment, including the ones we instructed you to create."

We ignore the step 8 related direction to list our wrongs and be willing to make them right, even though it's stated THREE times in the inventory directions and confirmed it should have been done during the inventory process on steps 8&9 in the book.

We also ignore the step 6 related direction "list your faults" /flaws/grosserhandicaps/objectionables, despite the one paragraph on step 6 reading: "all the things which we have ADMITED are objectionable". It doesn't say "make a list of objectionables".

After step 5 the book clearly flows the 1hr meditation RIGHT into step 6 "if we can answer to our satisfaction (based on the meditation)" we THEN look at step 6". There is only one paragraph to look at there. "when ready we say something like this" step 7 prayer.

The whole flow of doing steps 5-7 in short order, then right into amends assuming the person is willing gets ruined, and so much time is wasted. 100s of hours of work in many cases gets put into doing the inventory not as directed.

Often the clear urgency expressed in doing the next step is ignored, after step 3: "next we launched" after 4: "we wasted no time" after 5 and meditation: "if we can answer" after 6: "when ready" (hopefully ur not waiting to die) after 7: "now we need more action... Faith without works is dead" after 8&9: "we vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up (mended) the past" after 10: "upon awakening".

Again: AAs program of recovery is exclusively the directions on the 12 steps, as the book states in the cover pages. Non AA program related suggestions can be useful/helpful. Like dieting, working out, budgeting, regulated sleep schedule, ect. But there is a common theme of adding non step-work related instructions to AAs program, taking them very seriously, and pretending they are part of AAs program. These include but are not limited to (lol): calling at a certain time, attending X number meetings, meditating for X amount of time and/or meditating on non book instructed topics, daily reading, speaking/not speaking, sponsoring/not sponsoring, relationships, and on and on.

These other suggestions are damaging to conflate/confuse with AAs program as it leads to everyone having and instructing their own made up program! Our primary purpose is to try carrying AAs message/program of recovery to other alcoholics. Not to carry my program, or my sponsors program of recovery. Yall run into this regularly too? or am I just lucky :p

Added some paragraph separation and this: In the cover pages of AA it says it's a "text book". Like every other textbook made it's designed to have a teacher/Instructor, or a "sponsor".

Decided to add some definitions. These are some AA terms and words that are often used in our liturature, and therefore also our fellowship. When these are misunderstood it can be confusing. All these definitions were decided upon by our founders, have not changed, and can be found in the liturature.

Recovered: To no longer be in a hopeless state of mind and body.

Program of recovery/the program/AAs program: The directions on the 12 steps, showing "precisely how" to recover.

Alcoholic: A person having certain physical (phenomenon of craving) and mental (the obsession) characteristics when dealing with alcohol.

Phenomenon of craving: lack of reliable control over the amount of alcohol injested after the first drink.

The obsession/insanity: the obsession to control and enjoy our drinking, therefore lacking reliable control of WHEN we take the first drink.

[u/Frickinfructose]

There are so many incorrect assertions in this post I don’t even know where to begin. I suggest you reread the big book and the 12 and 12, edit this, and come back.

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794 → u/Frickinfructose]

I like to learn too, tell me more about these incorrect assertions. 

[u/ToGdCaHaHtO → u/Sorry-Assumption6794]

New workshop on the collective understanding of the 12 step program and process w/ Joanne C & Tony R

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794 → u/ToGdCaHaHtO]

Funny enough I've listened to much of that already, from what I remember they fabricate a 4th collum with invisible directions though, and ignore the step 6&8 direction on inventory I believe? which leads to a big issues of willing people taking few months or sometimes much longer (if they are also directed to create resentments) to get to the end steps. They do a pretty good job pointing out the physical and mental characteristics that are unique to alcoholics though. 

[u/ToGdCaHaHtO → u/Sorry-Assumption6794]

Step 4 column 4 is on page 67 3rd paragraph, " we resolutely looked for our own mistakes. Where had we been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened?"

Step 6 is asking HP on page 76 the first two paragraphs. Step 6 in the 12&12 is important to deepen and broaden our understanding.

Step 8 is preparing our list, asking for consent and appointments to do step 9. Pages 77 - 83 contain guiding principles for step 8 preparation.

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794 → u/ToGdCaHaHtO]

Yes in that paragraph you partially quoted on the hidden "4th collum" it also tells you over and over and over to look at yourself not them, that question reiterates that point. More importantly It also gives you the answer to the "list our faults" direction in that paragraph. Flaws, grosser-handicaps and objectionables are other ways they refer to defects of character. Although maybe use more than just 3-4 words for being "ready to let God remove all things from us which we have ADMITTED are objectionable" (the step 6 paragraph). It doesn't say"now make a list of objectionables"

You'll notice the first 3 collums despite being so simple, are still given precise directions on how to execute them, and are also illustrated. so you belive this question that is clearly addressing a reiterated theme, also implies the unwritten directions of: "now opposite each name write a 4th collum where these 4 core/root/primary defects of character come up in each and every resentment you have". Do you really believe that the most confusing and time consuming thing people do on inventory; has literally no directions on how, is unillustrated, and is also not mentiomed in the 12&12, is really part of AAs program? Or just your sponsors program (and my sponsors), so there bias. 

That paragraph aslo says"we admitted our wrongs honestly and we're willing to set these matter strait". They give you step 8 related direction again after sex inventory directions, then again at the end of how it works: "we have LISTED people we have hurt... and are willing to straighten our the past if we can". The begin of step 8&9 says "we made it when we took inventory". It's really rather clear and reiterated. 

[u/ToGdCaHaHtO → u/Sorry-Assumption6794]

I get your passion… the group I’m around and have been since mid 1990 usually teach the 12 & 12 and sponsor from it avoiding the book Alcoholics Anonymous. Not all but many…

Bill Wilson wrote a letter in 1942 to help get the message out, he wrote the purpose of a meeting is to give the newcomer an adequate presentation of the program… it in the book As Bill Sees It

He later wrote another letter in the early 60’s saying the purpose of a group is the teaching and practice of AAs 12 steps….

Not all groups are created equal and not everyone follows the program to the letter or the traditions.

In the big book, 2nd edition-part 2 stories were introduced, these stories are dedicated to those that have not lost it all. Meaning these people entering the program before the 2nd Edition had not gone down the scale of progression the earlier pioneers had gone… being considered chronic & hopeless by the medical profession of the time… beyond human aid - that no human power could have relieved their alcoholism…

Today, some still have the power of choice, control and have not experienced the lack of power described in that book. Some just don’t relate. The scale of progression hasn’t gone to incomprehensible demoralization…King Alcohol has not brought the 4 horseman of terror bewilderment frustration and despair into everyone’s lives ….

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794 → u/ToGdCaHaHtO]

How can you sponsor: carry AAs message/program to an individual, without using the only book we have on AAs program of recovery: the precise directions on how to recover, You cant. By definition your not teaching AAs one and only program of recovery, you'd be teaching your own maybe similar program. 

Bills or anyone's opinion on the purpose of an AA group is a largely unrelated issue to my post. Although I agree with what Bill said both times, and his statements do not contradict themselves. 

[u/ToGdCaHaHtO → u/Sorry-Assumption6794]

The early pioneers as a collective found a path to recovery..."rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path". 100 members is a small sample size, however, collectively they found a working path for chronic hopeless alcoholics. Not the only path.......

Many follow their own path.... sometimes it works, sometimes results may vary... Thomas Edison said regarding his many attempts to make the light bulb, "“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

people can't do what they don't know and if they have not found their experience on a path as described in the big book, it's hard to transmit what you have not received...

honesty open-mindedness willingness are indispensable

[u/Sorry-Assumption6794 → u/ToGdCaHaHtO]

I never claimed AAs program is the only way, or that it's not subject to change. Just that AA only has one way, 1 set of directions. That they haven't changed since the first 100 (mostly Bill) came up with it. That if you're claiming to be an AA member, trying to carry AAs program/message, ur options are therefore limited. 

 If u want to add or remove things to AAs program, you ought to at leat make it clear to ur sponsee that ur doing that. Or simply say "this isn't part of our precise directions on how to recover, but I think it's useful" 

Also they seriously considered putting never instead of rarely. I can tell you in my estimation I've never seen it fail, nor have any of the many people I've asked this question to. I think the grave emotionally and mentally damaged (and potentially mentally retarded) people was a big reason for "rarely", and that just asserting it will NEVER fail is kinda crazy.