Episode 191: A New Era for AA?

Has COVID brought in a new era for Alcoholics Anonymous, or is it our responsibility to help bring one about? As meetings moved from church basements to Zoom, we are now hearing more diverse experiences from a greater number of people, as well as new ideas about the Steps or recovery in general. Maybe sharing our experience as secular AA members is making more of a difference now?  That’s what Angela and I discuss during this episode while responding to comments on YouTube and Facebook, and calls from listeners.

Key points and topics discussed 

  • Overview of the Emotional Sobriety Webinar
  • Is it our responsibility to help bring AA into a new era.
  • A discussion at GSO about making a statement to recommend groups discontinue the use of the Lord’s Prayer.
  • Secular AA meetings generating more enthusiasm for AA in general. 
  • New infrastructure to help people find online meetings.  
  • Introducing science into AA.
  • Need for a new book about the program of recovery. 
  • New language to describe our experience. 
  • Prepare for more newcomers who aren’t interested in religion. 
  • Online meetings here to stay along with new hybrid meetings. 

Memorable quotes 

Angela’s quotes from the Emotional Sobriety Webinar:

Emotions need to be regulated not amputated. – John R. 

Feelings can’t be reasoned out of. – John R. 

If you want to learn to swim, you can’t just read a book, you need to get in the water. – Joe  C. 

I went to a meeting and the topic was “rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” One person said this wasn’t a do it yourself program. When it was my turn to speak, I said, “That is simply not true, it is well documented that AA is not effective for everyone, and we do kind of create our own program. – Angela. 

Maybe the problem we have is we still consult the Big Book as a guide for today rather than consulting current scientific understanding, or at least Bill W.’s later writings. – Angela 

Resources 

Emotional Sobriety Recordings 

AA Minority Report 

Higher Palooza Recordings