The Squirrel Cage

Surprise! Not everybody likes 12-step programs. This episode features someone we found who has some mild contempt for the program and the people in it. The sound quality is a little sketchy which has never stopped us before. Also, this is raw feed from a rehearsal because our guest did not return our calls or show up for the final broadcast. Still, I was able to stitch together an episode by jumping in with some comments occasionally. Personally, I find it entertaining but, as usual, our audience will be the final arbiter.

Cal is all by himself for this podcast and the subject is talking about drugs at an AA meeting.  Seems he copped a resentment after concluding his "pitch" when someone with long term sobriety -- for which he has great respect -- told him, "I think you talked too much about drugs".  So let's hash this out.  

Drug addiction is detailed in the  literature of AA. In the book Alcoholics Anonymous, drug use is mentioned as part of the alcoholic’s experience. Examples  are in the chapter ‘Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict’, written by member Paul  O, and in chapter two, ‘There is a Solution’, p.22, in relation to  the description of the so called ‘real alcoholic’. Bill W describes at  length the alcoholic’s tendency to misuse other drugs in his 1945  Grapevine article entitled ‘Those Goof Balls’, p.103 – 105, ‘The  Language Of The Heart’.

If you have any opinions on the subject please post them to our Facebook page @SquirrelCageAA.  

Our guest for this episode is David Mann, a professional counselor for The Other Bar which is a network of recovering lawyers, law students and judges suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems throughout the State of California. As you will hear on our podcast, David knows the unique challenges faced by those in the legal professions who are in need of help with alcoholism and/or drug addiction. The Other Bar is a private, non-profit corporation.

You can reach them by calling 1-800-222-0767 or by visiting their website at 

https://otherbar.org/about-us/

Elise and Tracy are back to relate their experiences both managing and living in sober houses for women.  Co host Cal happens to own one and shares his experience as a landlord.

This is one of the few times we'll upload a drunk-a-logue instead of a discussion/interview.  It's a pretty damned good story, though, so we think you'll like it.  Be advised that the recording quality is poor because it was conference call recorded on a microphone leaned against a cell phone speaker.  Despite the poor quality you're brain should get used to it in short order -- and you'll find it nowhere else.  We'll be back next time with "Stuff We Don't Like About 12 Step Programs."  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter to be notified about upcoming episodes; leave comments or questions for possible inclusion in future episodes too!

Only 20% of membership in AA are female.  And most folks agree that men and woman are difference; not better or worse, but different.  So what is the AA experience like for women?  How do men treat them?  How do women treat them for that matter.  All this and more.  (NOTE: Unfortunately there is an irritating scratchy-buzzy noise about 1/3 of the way through for about 3 minutes.  If you can make it through there, you're home free.  Thanks for your patience.)

AA is only as good as the people who attend. It's also a reflection of  the outside world i.e. there are good people & there are horse thieves.  It's sometimes called "disruptive behavior," but what is it?  What to do about it?  Two guys mull this over. 

Thoughts on attendance verification aka "a nudge from the judge".  Who signs, why do we sign, how do we sign; etc. etc.

There are book studies, meditation, men's, women's gay/lesbian, artists, open meetings, closed meetings; young people's meetings, etc.  There are groups that don't permit swearing or chanting, and groups who assign you a sponsor.  There are groups that have the same people leading every meeting.  It's agreed that the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.  But when do groups with a different focus discourage members from attending or alienate them in some other way; or simply are not AA anymore?