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13th Stepping

    Khaos WolfKat
    By Khaos WolfKat
    , , , ,

    Here is an interesting article I found on recovery.com about 13th stepping: https://recovery.com/resources/exposing-the-shocking-truth-about-13th-stepping/  It also contains a link to a 2007, Newsweek exposé about how bad things got in a particular group, that I had never even heard about at all, despite being fully entrenched in the program at the time. Yikes! 

    Just a good reminder to be careful, don't automatically put your full trust in everyone, just because they are in recovery, EVEN if they have a lot of time! Be on the lookout for unhealthy behaviours, see if they walk their talk, and go to lots of different meetings. Any group that tries to prevent other groups “poaching” their members, or otherwise discourages going to other meetings, that is a BIG, red flag! As are a lot of other behaviours mentioned in the Newsweek article, which is about a lot more than just 13th stepping. 

    MOST groups are, of course, not like that Midtown Group at all, but there are a few where that kind of thing is tolerated, encouraged, or even runs rampant, and we should always call that shit out. Our primary purpose is to stay sober, and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety!!

    Despite the reluctance of many to speak out at the time, according to the Newsweek piece, citing, “anonymity”, AA's General Service Office has some very specific things to say about anonymity and the topics covered in these articles, including the fact that, "Anonymity is not a cloak protecting criminal behavior", “No one should have to tolerate racial, sexual orientation, gender, age or other discrimination when they seek help from A.A.”, and, “A.A. membership does not include having to tolerate sexual harassment, threats of violence, financial coercion, or bullying. Nor is pressuring A.A. members into a particular point of view or belief relating to medications, religion and other outside issues acceptable”, at the following links.

    Noonaroos' own Safety & Inclusion Policy was formed using these very resources, in fact. 

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      • Dan E
        By Dan E

        That MidTown group sounds horrifying, assigning sponsors and encouraging people to sleep with each other. When I host sometimes I say "you know how you can tell AA is not a cult? For one thing we don't require you to donate, ever, and if you come to a business meeting we open the books and show everyone the finances, absolutely no secrets. Also, we don't have a leader , let alone one fucking everyone"