Very Much a Glum Lot

We have been speaking to you of serious, sometimes tragic things. We have been dealing with alcohol in its worst aspect. But we aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world's troubles on our shoulders. When we see a man sinking into the mire that is alcoholism, we give him first aid and place what we have at his disposal. For his sake, we do recount and almost relive the horrors of our past. But those of us who have tried to shoulder the entire burden and trouble of others find we are soon overcome by them. (AA, pg 132)

Having visited a number of AA meetings, there is no truth to this empty truism "We are not a glum lot."

I met one man who was barely getting by in the program, one who has about two months, had no idea what to do beyond staying sober one day at a time.

About five years later, I say the same man digging through trash outside of a McDonald's in Harbor City. The program either did not work for him, or he was not able to be "rigorously honest", but either way, I believe that the AA program failed him.

How many men and women did I run into who would sing about the "pink cloud experience", only to lament about their lives.

Another man told me that he remained down on his luck, even though he had stopped drinking.

Many individuals frequent meetings only to brag about their lives before getting sober. The number of people who treat meetings like a "dumping ground" for their problems is just stifling.

Men and women will crow about their lives at the podium, but have little warmth or light to share once they come down among mere mortals once again.

I cannot recall how many people would end up crying either because they had failed to remain sober or because a friend or relative was taken in by the disease.

Indeed, to break free of drinking is a welcome experience for the man who thought that there could be no fun without a drink, but the life that men and women crave cannot be found in a meeting. "We absolutely insist on enjoying life" claims the writer, but apart from Christ, man remains dead in his trespasses.