A Desire To Stop Meetings

"Is anyone here celebrating one year?" Slowly, I raised my hand. From out of nowhere came a shout of congratulations, followed by a round of applause. At the head table of the meeting sat the chairperson, who noted this and stood, beckoning me to join him at the podium. Surrounded by warmth, support, and back-pats... given to me, a stranger to this group!... I rose from my fold-out seat.

The cheering grew louder as I approached the front of the table, where the chairperson stood to embrace me (hey now!), while handing me a metallic coin signifying that I had not taken a drink of alcohol for one year.

Nervously, I stepped up to the podium, and looked at the sea of enthusiastic faces. Clutching the coin infused me with a sense of confidence, and  I cleared my throat. "Hi. My name is B.S., and I used to be an alcoholic.”

The Atheist Comedian on marijuana prohibition

This man is really funny. His comedy videos are on youtube, at klfly.

NSFW: one sexual reference, and discussion over an illegal plant.

Marijuana is not a vice, but a safer alternative to alcohol.

Former Seattle police chief Norm Stamper interviewed colleagues over a 4-year period. None could remember having a fight with anyone who was determined to be under the influence of marijuana.

However, when Stamper followed with this question: "When's the last time you had to fight a drunk?", they looked at their watches.

Tell me again what this war on drugs is all about.

A.A. Survival Tips for Pigeons (updated)

Introductory note: though the title specifies Alcoholics Anonymous, the survival tips can be applied to any other 12-step group. I have attended other 12-step groups (Narcotics, Cocaine, Overeaters, and S.L.A.A.-Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, as well as Adult Children of Alcoholics), but 99% of my program experience comes solely from A.A.

You have a drinking problem, and you are seeking a face-to-face support group. Or you have been ordered by the court to attend Alcoholics Anonymous as a condition of your probation. Or you may be an uninsured citizen who suffers from psychological disorders, and have decided that the support of a 12-step group is better than no support at all.

South Park: A Brief Description of Abstinence Violation Effect

Stan's father Randy has been arrested for driving while intoxicated, and attends a court-mandated A.A. meeting:





This causes problems for Randy. Angered by this, Stan confronts the group:





Undaunted, the group members confront Randy at the bar. The intervention goes awry: