this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2023
396 points (94.6% liked)

Showerthoughts

29827 readers
480 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
396
It's almost impossible to deny being an alcoholic without sounding like an alcoholic (lemmy.world)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
129 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 42 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Others have mentioned it, but to elaborate, Alcoholics Anonymous is not merely sitting in a circle and sharing your problems, but a belief system which requires you to submit to a higher power to move forward.

[–] medusa 11 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Knew a guy who insisted he wasn't addicted, but he can't go a day without attending an AA meeting. 40 years, non stop. Even when in other countries for work, he finds them. Left his own daughters wedding dinner to make it to one.

He runs his own chapter where he lives. He's had people follow the steps, sure, but some don't. No matter how successful the latter are, he tears them apart for "not doing it right" and has turned his back on them for not following how he did it.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 11 months ago

My favorite quote on fanaticism applies here:

"Fanaticism consists in redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim" - George Santayana

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I didn't know you could be addicted to AA meetings. I guess alcohol is a gateway drug to AA meetings, lol.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That's 12 step. Not all AA is 12 step.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Almost All... But yes in recent years AA has tried to distance itself from the higher power ( God) rhetoric.

AA is somewhat decentralized, and you will have splinter groups.

Also to clarify, 12 step is a process created by the founders of AA. It's not a separate thing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

The process still involves relinquishing your will power and deferring to an higher/outside power. Incredibly cult like behavior. You should be raising a person's will power. Hyping the hell out of them.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Oh I absolutely agree, the manipulation techniques used, are still the same ones religions use to control their congregations.