Cool segment on NPR the other day. Elizebeth Vargas was a newscaster for one of the big TV networks. She was an alcoholic.
Shes sober now, and she told her story. Said good stuff about AA, and really hit the nail on the head about the anxiety trap. You know, when you get to the point, when yer drinking to stop the anxiety. But, the alcohol withdrawl is what causes it. She said "I would have to have 2 drinks, just to feel 'normal', like how non-drinkers feel every day".
But, we never stop at just 2, and neither did she.
good listening. Just wondering if anybody else caught it.
I am surprised that no one has pointed out that we are not supposed to broadcast on tv, our need to protect our anonymity and other public media about our experiences with AA. (I didn't say I necessarily agree with that "tradition".)
I am very happy for this woman's (so far) positive experiences with AA.
Great post, Baba. I identify very well with the anxiety trap and drinking just to feel "normal".
Our tradition is to "maintain anonymity at the level of press, radio and television", i.e. no last names, no images, nothing that would identify the individual.
This isn't for the benefit of the individual, this is for the benefit of A.A.
The traditions are in place to protect A.A from.....alcoholics lol.
A.A. does not want or need spokesmen. The program is here for those that want it.
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"God can move mountains but it helps to bring a shovel!"
Well, the whole show wasn't about AA. Matter of fact, very little of it was. She merely mentioned that AA helped her to get sober. She didn't "out" anybody but herself.
Our tradition is to "maintain anonymity at the level of press, radio and television", i.e. no last names, no images, nothing that would identify the individual.
This isn't for the benefit of the individual, this is for the benefit of A.A.
The traditions are in place to protect A.A from.....alcoholics lol.
The recent case of the addictions counselor who divulged his membership in AA, then proceeded to make a politically inspired and highly questionable medical diagnosis of the governor of Maine is an example of why anonymity for AAs is a good idea when at the level of public media.
The counselor now faces public criticism and AA is put in a bad light. Read it at:
Question: so, when the interviewer asked her how she got sober, she shouldn't have said AA? Should she have said "I don't want to tell my secret on how I got sober, because I don't want anybody else to know"? Or, maybe "well, if I told ya, I'd have to kill ya".
I would think it would benefit everybody if a "celebrity", or what have you, was on a medium that was listened to by millions of people, and said "AA is what helped me get sober".
Btw, I'm not trying to pick a fight, or anything like that here. I'm just trying to understand the logic.
i guess we wouldn't want somebody on TV or radio, raising their hands up, and shouting "if Ya want to quit drinking, ya gotta join AA! It's the only way!" Or. "Join, or DIE!" Or anything like that.
But, to just say that AA is what you did to get sober, well, I don't see the big deal.
And maybe it's not a big deal, and, I'm just making it into one. And, if I am, just say "STFU, Baba".
Even if someone said "this is how I got sober" I can pretty much assure you, there would be a handful responding with "my son tried AA, it didn't work and now he is dead". The sheer amount of disdain that could be aimed back is infinite and it would tarnish AA even further than it already is.
I like the idea of AA being the last house on the block or that last second haymaker that connects in the 12th round to win. This is a huge reason I am alive. I have even heard people around me call it a secret society and I am okay with that idea as well.
The 12x12 devotes a chapter to this tradition which explains the logic pretty well. If you haven't read it, please do. It's a good read. Also, there are numerous 12 Step and 12 Tradition meetings in most towns that study the steps and the traditions at length. They are a great way to learn more about our steps and traditions.
The logic for this tradition is pretty straight-forward. AA does not want any one member to represent it, for a number of reasons. The very best reason is, one person could tell the world they got sober in AA. Then shorty afterwards they get drunk, or do something negative that makes it to the media, and suddenly that negativity is now associated with AA in the public perception.
So, the only stipulation AA asks is when members do speak in public, they maintain anonymity. If someone wants to speak to the media, go for it, just stay anonymous.
-- Edited by jhamlett on Sunday 18th of September 2016 10:57:24 AM
__________________
"God can move mountains but it helps to bring a shovel!"
While we are on the topic here, I should mention for anyone who doesn't know, this anonymity is not required for AA meetings.
Most people will introduce themselves in a meetings using their first name only. Some will introduce themselves using both first and last name. Either way is fine by AA traditions.
Myself, I found it a comfort at first that the people in AA didn't care what my last name was, didn't want my address, SSN and a signature on a document. They just wanted to meet me and wanted to help.
Nowadays I will introduce myself by first and last name, in an AA meeting. That is mainly so if someone hears me talk in a meeting and later wants to talk to me, they can look me up.
__________________
"God can move mountains but it helps to bring a shovel!"
Most people will introduce themselves in a meetings using their first name only. Some will introduce themselves using both first and last name. Either way is fine by AA traditions.
Ok. Good explanations. Especially the one about "if somebody fails to stay sober, people might blame it on AA."
maybe she should have said "12 step program" idk. I mean, you gotta say SOMETHING. If the interviewer asks you how you got sober, and you say "I really cant say", it sounds kinda fishy.
i will remember this, when I go up to accept my Grammy nomination for Best New Recording Artist of the Year. I was gonna include AA in my thank you speech, but, I guess I wont.
I would think it would benefit everybody if a "celebrity", or what have you, was on a medium that was listened to by millions of people, and said "AA is what helped me get sober".
I'm not a big follower of celebrities. I just happen to listen to NPR, and I thought it was a good segment. And, I was wondering if anybody else caught it.
I'm not a big follower of celebrities. I just happen to listen to NPR, and I thought it was a good segment. And, I was wondering if anybody else caught it.
Sounds like it was a good program. Here's a bit more info about anonymity:
How Much Anonymity?
As a rule, the average newcomer wanted his family to know immediately what he was trying to do. He also wanted to tell others who had tried to help him - his doctor, his minister, and close friends. As he gained confidence, he felt it right to explain his new way of life to his employer and business associates. When opportunities to be helpful came along, he found he could talk easily about A.A. to almost anyone.
These quiet disclosures helped him to lose his fear of the alcoholic stigma, and spread the news of A.A.'s existence in his community. Many a new man and woman came to A.A. because of such conversations. Since it is only at the top public level that anonymity is expected, such communications were well within its spirit.
I just finished Elizabeth Vargas' new book, "Between Breaths." It's her story, one that we all can relate to. Her story especially resonated with me, as a budding alcoholic with babies and young children, then as a full blown alcoholic with school age children. Any one who does not consider alcoholism a disease needs to consider her statement, " I would have died for my children but I could not stop drinking for them." Baffling, cunning and powerful, this disease is.
