My name is Tim and I'm an addict.
I prefer to go to NA but at the moment only AA meetings are available to me. I'm aware that this is a thinking disease and the drug is only 10% of my problem so it really doesn't matter which direction my recovery comes from. But I don't like how I have to identify as something that I'm not as to not offend the fellowship. It feels dishonest. And not going to meetings isn't an option for me.
Any insight is appreciated.
Step work has nothing to do with the substance. Triggers are triggers. Unmanageability is unmanageability. Alkies can be a useful support source for this addict. That said I mostly use zoom meetings now. When I got sober I did attend exclusively in person meetings.
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So I wouldn’t think of it as being dishonest. Your simply following the suggested etiquette for the room. I suggest you read tradition #1 in the 12&12 it kind of applies here.
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You have the right idea about the substance being only a symptom of a greater problem. As for your concern about being dishonest, I agree with Matt. Alcohol is not my DOC. It’s probably number 3 or 4 in my world. However, it’s so accessible and prevalent in every day life, that is a huge problem for me. I believe that if I start drinking I will end up back in the same spot and at a terrible bottom again. So, I wish not to drink. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. I have a desire to stop drinking. How about you? If so, then you certainly can introduce yourself as an addict and alcohol (that’s what I do). Or, you can say your an addict and have a desire to stop drinking. Hope this helps. Either way it’s your recovery and you do what you need to do to stay clean and sober
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