Dear Daniel,

My article does a good job of answering your concerns, but I don't mind doing a recap in case others have read your reply here.

Your critique of my critique is valid--sort of--but also very cliche. From AA members like yourself I basically get 3 different arguments:

1. Why criticize AA when it helps people get

sober?

My article says this....

"(AA is) the foundation for 90% of the rehabs in the US, and utilized by most state courts. When 90% of the recovery world uses one program with a 15% success rate — therein lies problem."

My MAIN issue with AA is its ubiquity.

There's a CLEAR need for more support groups to cater to an increasingly diverse (and less religious) population.

2. Why criticize it when it may persuade newcomers not to go?

Because I WISH someone had told me about other support groups when I went to AA, and as soon as I compared notes with others who didn't have a good AA experience I immediately felt relief. I realized I wasn't crazy, AA was just a bad fit for me.

I'm all for trying different support groups to see what fits you the best--including AA--I just want the general public and "the newcomer" to know they have options besides AA.

When you asked "what is your motivation?"

That's it.

And last but not least...

3. "Maybe you just didn't 'work it' the right way"

With all due respect, that's painfully presumptive and naive, and an often regurgitated blanket answer from AA members who are not qualified to comment on someone else's Alcohol Use Disorder.

It's intellectually lazy armchair psychology.

In fact, that statement and sentiment, which you included in your reply (in so many words), is one of the main reasons I left AA.

I have a mood disorder that requires medication--and no amount of "working it," praying, doing another 4th step, or making coffee for the meeting was going to fix that.

50% of people with AUD have a co-occurring mental health issue. If they go to AA before being properly diagnosed they are setting themselves up for failure.

I write these articles about my AA experience because they are MY experience.

I was told in AA to "share my experience."

My experience in AA may not have a lot of strength and hope to go with it--but it's the truth.

"To thine own self be true."

I think I've heard that somewhere.