I am one of those "dual addicdted ones" So I recall being welcomed at the club where I go. Actually I was addicted to powerful prescriptions drugs. But I found a few people like me hooked and recovered on the same class of drugs and I was welcomed. I might add, about 20 years ago there was disagreement on this, people took stands and in the grapevine there were articles which I found in some stash of old mags. Some articles said...no people like me. It all changed..At least in the Chicago area...Now, as long as you have a desire, most groups don't care...You gotta say..I am an acholoic,,,but even that doesn't matter much..I say I am an addict achololic...so what???
I lead meetings a couple of days a week. And some people say..." I am an addict" as the leader, I really don't care who they are..for me, there really is only one requirement...and you wouldn't believe what it is...My rule is....."don't talk too long.." that is it.. As long as you keep your talk reasonable, not on and on...I don't care..(and it can't really condemn the program or be totally disruptive)..Like, "the program sucks...etc."...Why?
I want everyone to get a chance to speak, at least some...so all can feel somewhat included... sometimes, people really got to talk about important stuff..to stay clean..for example...someone in the family might be ill or dieing...or someone is really shaky that day..they need to speak as much as the totally clean and sober person....that is my philosophy as a group leader...and no one has ever questioned it..I volunteer at a AA club..and mostly..if they don't like the way I do it...(it is really only twice a week) well...they go to another meeting...I have seen so much pain and suffering in the rooms...of AA, OA, and others that if talking for a few minutes will help..so what...??? so I don't agree with what they say.....so they don't work the steps perfectly...so they don't believe in God..they wouldn't be the first, and they won't be the last................Stuart...oh........one more thing....
Let us suppose there really is some kind higher power trying to help us get through today...and it is a feeling of love and acceptance of our pain and suffering, and help and kindness................so.... let us assume that is it ........ok???now if we could talk to it...and we can't but if we could....what would that higher power say about this issue??????. I believe it would say..."Include them all.."..end of discussion........
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