Alcoholic/Addict

For some years now, I've been alternately fascinated and frustrated by the extremes in Alcoholics Anonymous. As newcomers looking for sobriety, we find hundreds of suggestions that contradict one another, and we are reminded to take what we need and leave the rest. New words creep into our vocabulary, not the least of which is "paradox." We hear of sponsors who have rigorous rules and "kick people's butts" into sobriety, and we meet others who are gentle with their fragile, frightened sponsees. Some of us are pushed into coffee making, ticket selling, and door greeting; others are made to read the Big Book and stay away from all but Steps One, Two, and Three in the first year or two. And as we listen to these things being discussed at meetings, if we are fortunate we can see something worthwhile in almost every approach.