Within the groups of AA, people tell their name and say "....and I am an alcoholic. Too many, this label is used in a spontaneous and reckless way without realizing the potential social stigma that is attached to "alcoholic". Although it is indeed important to refresh ones short memory by chanting this self-assigned label "alcoholic", and remain an honorary member of the group, the label "alcoholic' is still one that not desired by most. Most people that I have interviewed consider it a liability to be identifyed as an alcoholic. Some members even say the are proud to be alcoholic. What is going on here?
2006-07-27 14:21:31 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
In order for an effective religious conversion to occur (think "cult"), it's imperative that one undergo an ego deflation process. That's why cults, er, groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous are so popular, because they tend to attract folks when they're down & out & desperate & willing to try anything to get well.
The only problem is that AA's "success rate" is abysmally less than 5%. Would you buy a car from a dealer who said that the engine only worked less than 5% of the time?
This is because of the self-fulfilling prophecy as you grasped so well in your question. If you identify yourself as an alcoholic, then you ascribe alcoholic characteristics to yourself & resign yourself to that fate. I remember hearing at meetings, "We relapse because we're alcoholics & we drink & that's what alcoholics do." What message of hope does that send to someone who's trying to overcome alcohol dependency?
That's because AA really has very little to do with alcohol & everything to do with finding God (the AA God, that is).
2006-07-27 14:30:48 · answer #1 · answered by oaksterdamhippiechick 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
My experience with AA left me with a bad taste. You have to constantly dwell on being an alcoholic every second of the day, you are and will always be an alcoholic, it's going to be a constant struggle and if it isn't, you aren't getting better. Major downer.
2006-07-27 21:33:36 · answer #2 · answered by Skeff 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't drink alcohol
2006-07-27 21:37:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no im not an Alcoholic
2006-07-27 21:23:50 · answer #4 · answered by ChooChooTrainsAreFun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm not an alcoholic....i don't even drink...i rather have a pepsi.
2006-07-29 15:14:04 · answer #5 · answered by Alexis Samira 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not one.
2006-07-27 21:24:51 · answer #6 · answered by norwood 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
2006-07-27 21:24:10 · answer #7 · answered by Q T-->>*Ana*<<-- 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, i dont even drink
2006-07-27 21:25:20 · answer #8 · answered by Ms. DeVine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure
2006-07-27 21:24:15 · answer #9 · answered by jettalady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no and i don't want to be!!!
2006-07-28 12:20:33 · answer #10 · answered by pret.tprincess4me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋