Introduction

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has long been regarded as one of the most influential
mutual support programs in the world. It truly is the origin of the peer-to-peer help
model. Rooted in spiritual principles, AA emphasizes the concept of a "Higher Power of
your own understanding." Ebby Thatcher first introduced this idea to Bill Wilson, the cofounder of AA. Ebby said, to Bill, “Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?”
(Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 12). This idea was revolutionary to Bill and would start him
down a path toward permanent sobriety which he achieved the following month. This
idea became a bedrock of AA spiritual principles. This incident became so foundational
that AA historians have named it the GOMU moment, or “God of My Understanding”
moment.

In the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous, we read “We are not cured of
alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of
our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God’s will
into all our activities.” The book suggests a constant meditation on what God wants us
to be doing, all through the day.

“The Master entered a village where he was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance. They raised their voices, saying, “Master, have mercy on us!” When the Master saw them, he said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. Upon realizing that they had been made clean of their leprosy, one returned to thank the great Healer.  The Master looked upon the man and asked, “Where are the other nine?” He then said, “Go, for your faith has healed you.”” (Lk 17, 11-19). 

In the substance use disorder field, harm reduction aims to minimize the negative consequences of using mood altering chemicals without requiring their cessation. Harm reduction has evolved as a key strategy in public health, particularly in areas like, sexual health, and environmental impact. Advocates tout it as a compassionate and rational approach to societal challenges. Critics have raised concerns about its limitations, unintended consequences, ethical dilemmas and mixed messages. This article explores harm reduction, examining its assumptions, and challenges its application for the real alcoholic. 

I have always loved to travel, but I was afraid to fly. To overcome my fear of flying, I took flying lessons at the airport, on a Beechcraft Sport single engine airplane, and got a license. Once I understood airplanes, the FAA, and the air traffic control system, I lost my fear of flying. The keys to the whole system are following directions and doing the maintenance before every single flight. Most pilots are fanatical about maintenance. I have been on airliners where the pilot refused the plane because one toilet wouldn’t work. Everything on that airplane has to be in proper shape or the pilots refuse it. Safety is number one.

Recently, a service entity was asked to take a recovery meeting into a homeless shelter. Representatives went to the homeless shelter to determine the need and request. They didn’t want to be guilty of “rushing in where angels fear to tread.”  At the following business meeting it was reported that they wouldn’t bring a recovery meeting into the shelter because of “safety concerns.”

This didn’t sit well with my recovery group. We had been asked for help, and we said, “no.” This seemed contrary to the principles of the program. 

“Step Eleven: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. “

                                                                                                                                        ---“Alcoholics Anonymous” page 59.

One of the oldest continuously running Young People's AA groups in the state of Minnesota, is the Thursday Night Young Peoples' AA Group, affectionately known as TNYPAA (pronounced Tin E Pa). This article describes how the group has survived for nearly a half-century. 

When I think about the history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) I am reminded of three significant transformational moments. The first moment occurred in late November 1934, when Bill Wilson’s old drinking buddy Ebby Thacher dropped in on Bill for a visit. Bill was looking forward to tying one on with his old friend, but Ebby refused Bill’s offer to have a drink. Ebby told Bill he had found religion and didn’t need “the drink” anymore.  Bill wasn’t impressed and surmised that his gin would outlast his friend’s preaching (Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 9). Ebby pressed Bill encouraging him to develop a relationship with God.  

I read in the Wall Street Journal about Artificial Intelligence software programs now doing therapy for mental illness. With a bit of exploration, I found that A.I is also treating addiction. I am skeptical that A.I. will be a successful approach to treating a disease that we know to be “cunning, baffling, and powerful”.