Is AA a death cult? Let's find out together!

Welcome!!!!

I decided to start this blog as a forum for open and honest thoughts and opinions concerning the 12-step program called Alcoholics Anonymous. I have read through several of the posts calling AA a Death Cult and I have to admit I have started to question AA's success rate and many of the tactics applied by AA members.

I imagine there are others in and out of the rooms of AA that have questions about the program but are afraid to get honest about their real feelings over the program and are afraid to voice those their questions or concerns. Well hopefully this will turn in to a safe place to share the truth about what is going on in your head and heart concerning AA.

I have listed below the topics I will be exploring initially, but look forward to your suggestions. I will block anyone from posting that uses profanity or uses degrading language in their comments. This is a HOT topic and I expect heated debate but keep it clean.

A Quick Personal History
I was "diagnosed" as an alcoholic at at 14 by my mother. My Mom passed away in 1996 from Cancer. I love her and miss her. We had our challenges getting along but as we both matured we grew to love each other deeply and we ended our time together in a very good place. My Mom grew up with an abusive alcoholic father, married a heavy drinking distant husband, and adopted two children. I believe when my Mom saw me heading down the path of alcoholism, she kind of snapped. I think back to my early days of drinking and the chaos that existed in our home and I still feel a sense of sadness over how much pain our family experienced over alcohol and drugs.

I got in to quite a bit of trouble while I was young - never went to jail or anything like that but from an early age I showed self-destructive behavior. I'm married with three children. My wife and I will celebrate 19 years of marriage next March. I love my family and we are a close loving group. I believe in God and am active within my church. I would say I am more spiritual than religious - may be why AA has been so tough for me to buy in to. I'm not a follower or a joiner by nature. I have been in and out of treatment programs and AA for nearly 25 years. I'm sure I will share more about my history as this blog moves along. For now, consider me a very well educated man with a long history of successes and failures. I'm questioning the reality the whole disease concept within AA and wondering if I have been programmed to see myself as an alcoholic and as a result acted like one! One more thing, I am a binge drinker.

Today's Topic

The Perfect Excuse
Doesn't it seem a little too convenient to tie the selfish behavior and lack of respect for others that I exhibited during drinking and drug binges on an unrecognized, mysterious disease? I am beginning to think so. Could it be possible that 25 years of brainwashing over what will happen to me if I drink caused me to see myself as an alcoholic and manifest alcoholic tendencies? And could this deeply rooted belief be a subconscious excuse to "run away" and hide out in an alcohol and drug induced stupor? Moreover, have I been using this "disease concept" as an excuse to be the irresponsible, selfish, gluttonous pig that I become during my periodic binges? Am I really powerless to not pick up that drink after months of abstinence? Or do I have a "get out of jail free card" with my family because I have been diagnosed with a disease? I shutter to think of the possibility.


Upcoming Topics

Define Cult
The Disease Concept
Obsession of the mind
Allergy of the Body
Powerlessness