If I were forced by court order to go to NA or AA meetings?

Question

how do they know if I really went, if it's keep anonymous?

They can't ask your last name, can they? Or is there some kind of check in and check out for people there under court order?

And does it really help to go if you're only there because the court is making you go?

Answer 1

The only people who quit are those who want to quit.

AA works for 5% of the people who walk in.
5% of the people who try to quit on their own succeed.

If you have a probation/parole officer, he or she will probably ask for signed slips. The POs in upstate NY a few years ago, encouraged their other charges who were mandated to meetings, to rat out anyone who claimed to be at a meeting but wasn't. Some POs sat outside of meetings to see who came out. They also insisted on speaking with your sponsor. And even if you're only reporting to a judge, there's a good chance that he will know who signs slips at most meetings.

Mandated AA attendance is illegal in many parts of the country and may even be in yours, but once the judge has made a ruling, it's best to follow his instructions and/or get a lawyer.

Answer 2

No,because AA is a religious cult, where often members are mistreated. mandating people to AA, is coercion and a violation of the separation of Church and State. The other issue is that one of AA's principles is Anonymity, and AA violates its own principle by reporting attendance information.I think you are very brave by asking this question because you are creating knowledge designed to liberate people and give them choice. Many AA/NA groups also prohibit members from taking psychotropic medications, when prescribed by a physician. This is particularly cruel and dangerous. However secular alternatives do exist they are as follows The Secular organization for Sobriety (SOS of which I am a Board Member), Rational Recovery, which is based on the Cognitive Behavioral treatment designed by Albert Ellis,Women for Sobriety, and Life Ring Secular Recovery. Courts could refer people to these organizations, but because of bias they don't. In addition AA has managed to spread throughout the country which facilitates attendance

Answer 3

You just have to show up and pretend like you want to be there. But rest assured, everyone willl know that you dont. Then after you sit there for about an hour and it's all done, you'll be relieved. Oh and then the chair person will sign a litlle piece of paper for you to take in to show that you sat in an aa meeting. I know. I'm a chairperson. The courts do this to us all the time.

Answer 4

I went to NA/AA on court orders myself. It is true you can lie, but what is it going to hurt to go to a meeting? I wasn't done drinking and drugging yet, so I finished my obligation to the court, then got all jacked up again. I thank God I was court ordered to go, because when I was done, I knew where I could turn for help. Give it a shot, if you want, your misery will be refunded in full on your way out. Mine was.

Answer 5

There is an old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink"! And no it doesn't help if you go their with a chip on your shoulder.

While n/a or A/A does not keep records, but if you are in a half-way house awaiting release from prison, the state gives you a paper that must be signed.

Let me make a suggestion! If you have an issue with alcohol or drugs and you get no help, you are going to be at the end of your life with drinking buddies, no friends. no family. and will die a premature death!

If that is what you want, fine!! Just don't kill someone else because YOU have an issue!!

Alcohol or drugs are a lousy way to self medicate.

Answer 6

I'm not sure how it works thru the courts. Excellent question and since it it is a requirement. It would be beneficial to find the answer thru the courts what procedure you have follow to comply in order not to do jail time.

I work with men who are incarcerated and do yourself, family and friends a favor : do what the courts is requesting and take it seriously .

d

Answer 7

Stop worrying so much about the accountability----I am sure that they will explain it all to you. Think of this as an OPPORTUNITY to work on some issues that you clearly need some assistance with. Of course you can choose to simply put up a wall and not learn or gain anything from this......but who is the idiot there? Sounds to me like this is a wake up call....

What kind of life do you really want to have?

Answer 8

It's a cult that the courts believe in. Go to one meeting and be sure to ask for a booklet that lists all of there weekly meeting and then if your ever asked you can point out the meetings "your going to" .

Answer 9

Your sponsor knows if you are there. You might need to sign in or be given a sheet to have signed off to give to you parole officer. Go. You might learn something. The court wouldn't send you if you didn't need a wake up call.

Answer 10

if the court orders you to go to AA meetings they probably won't do a thing for ya other than completing part of your sentence.