Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Alcoholics Anonymous and persons who attend AA meetings?

Question

Some folks cringe at the word "alcoholic" and hold unfavorable views of Alcoholics Anonymous? Are they being judgmental? Are they afraid? Or are they right to hold a dim view of alcoholics and AA.

Answer 1

I think they're judging people who go to AA meetings because of what they heard or know about alcoholics. Most of the time, alcoholics are thought of to be raging lunatics who can't control themselves or depressed suicidal luncatics who just want to die in their sorrows so they drown themselves in alcohol.

I'm sure there's other alcoholics out there who just don't notice they're addicted to alcohol and do it out of habit. Then there could be the alcoholics who spiralled in alcoholism by getting addicted to the night scene or the rock & roll life.

Personally, I don't look down on AA or alcoholics; I believe they just need help and AA is there to offer it. Others might think that those people screwed themselves over and AA is just there to play mommy and daddy and spoil them, saying it's okay and things'll get better.

However, I do think they're being judgemental. Not all alcoholics are bad, just like not all drug addicts are bad. It's just that they're addicted for whatever reasons and they can't stop.

You have my opinion on the matter; you never really stated yours, so I can't agree or disagree.

Answer 2

As a former alcoholic with a lot of time in the rooms, I have a very bad opinion of AA. I feel AA held me back from staying sober for many years with it's demands for religious belief, gave me too many excuses to continue drinking (I was powerless, I had a disease, it was genetic), and the anti-therapy, anti-medication faction held me back from getting the help I really needed.

AA has a lousy success rate, 5%, no better than those who attempt quitting on their own. Out of 48 recovery methods studied, AA ranked 38th in effectiveness:
http://www.behaviortherapy.com/whatworks.htm

Once I got profession help for depression, took responsibility for my addiction and my recovery, without AA, I was able to stay sober and turn my life around.

Answer 3

i dont know, some people r soooo judgemental. i personally dont hate alcoholics or nothin, and if they're goin to AA, good for them, they're tryin to get better.

Answer 4

I'm not trying to judge anyone.but if people would just stay away from alcoholic drinks period we wouldn't have this problem and drunk drivers.drinking is evil.but people want to deny it.