Hi everyone,
After reading all the tsm literature, I'm absolutely convinced that tsm and the science behind it are for real. I also read about AA, and the 12 steps, and I think I've read every word of the Orange Papers (highly recommended), and I'm deeply disturbed by what I've found there. I was originally planning to use TSM for my own personal recovery, but after learning how AA actually has a 0% recovery rate (above the spontaneous recovery rate of people that have no treatment), and actually causes many people with alcohol addiction to have a worse outcome than if they'd never come in contact with it, and thinking about the people I saw in AA meetings who hated themselves for relapsing...I beleive it is important that I not simpy obtain a personal recovery, but that I also make an effort to reach out to all the new-comers that AA is not able to help.
I am planning to go to AA meetings along with taking my nal before I drink. I intend to introduce myself as "hello, I'm ***stoked***, and I have an addiction to alcohol". The Big Book describes the "alcoholic" as having many character defects that I know I don't have, so I refuse to label myself as an alcoholic using that definition. I want to interpret the 12 steps in such a way that they are compatible with the AA 12 steps, so that I can "work the program" with a TSM slant, and if others find value in what I'm doing and are curious about my methods, I'll be happy to inform them. Some of you have much mroe experience with AA than I have, so I am asking for your help in finding the best ways to interpret the 12 steps.

1) I am powerless yadayayada...
I have a genetic makeup that causes me to have a response to alcohol that most people don't have, and very few of the people with my genetic makeup are able to overcome the brain chemistry that makes them want to drink...

2)Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves would restore us to sanity....
By the grace of god (however we define god) I have found a scientifically proven method that cures 80% of alcoholics and restores to them the ability to refrain from drinking or choose to drink at healthy levels, and they may chose the form of sanity that they have been restored to

3)Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him....
I make the decision that I will turn my will and my life over to the God of pharmacological extinction, which I understand to be capable of curing human beings of their addictions, so long as they follow the rule of Nal + Al = cure.

OK...that was the easy part. Please help me with the rest...(or any of the preceding).

thanks!!

Bob3d had the guts to try and discuss TSM at an AA meeting and was escorted out. You will be less welcome than a whore in church, but I applaud your efforts! And I hope I'm wrong but I doubt it.

The problem with AA is that it's a cult. A cult is characterized by an unwavering faith in a person or cause that is accepted as fact without examination or question. The moment you say you are powerless because of brain chemistry -- and not some moral flaw like being incapable of being honest -- they will have little tolerance for what you have to say.

As I said, I hope I'm wrong and that you can help some people. And I admire your courage.

My best,

Nick

Nick, I LOVE YOU!!!! I am still laughing about what you wrote regarding the formal escort Bob experienced at an AA meeting. That is unbelievable! Because I have been to numerous meetings where other attendees are drunk, wasted, beligerent, high, buzzed, slovenly, smelly, court-ordered, etc., etc.

NEVER have I seen anyone asked to leave let alone been escorted out.

Too funny.

Seriously.

AA implies that we are weak, powerless and immoral. Lest we forget that stupid 4th step, demanding that we create a list of immoral acts that we have (certainly) committed and apologize to the many or few that we have affected wrongly. PA LEEZE! My Higher Power is science. That's my story and I am sticking to it. One sip at a time, Ketchikan1

Hi everyone,
Well, I went to the AA meeting with full knowlege that it is a cult, and I sat quietly thru the rituals and then when it was my time to share, I talked about how I was using a differant method, described the sinclair method briefly, and said that I was looking forward to sharing my journey with them. Afterwards, at least one person wanted to get more information about the sinclair method...no surprise there! I plan on continuing to go to various meetings and be a voice for reason and NOT work the steps, and hopefully I'll be example that there is another way to combat alcohol addiction...one that actually works!

My Nal still hasn't arrived (ordered it over a week ago) so I'm continuing to track my pre-tsm consumption.

Good for you Stoked. The chances are great that you will probably make a huge difference in somebody's life through your efforts. Keep up the great work. You are very courageous.

Stoked, you are very brave to go to an AA meeting and share about TSM. I'm glad you didn't get kicked out. Sounds like you may be able to help a lot of people. Kudos to you.

Hi Stoked

Good for you! I still go to 1 AA meeting a week, but I don't discuss TSM in the meeting itself. My sponsor is supporting me with TSM so I discuss it with her afterwards. I would probably get escorted out if I brought it up in the meeting as the meeting is in a Salvation Army treatment centre which of course is abstinence based!
I heard not long ago that the success rate is AA is only about 5%. I don't know how long one has to stay sober to be in that 5% - maybe 5 years? Whatever it is the odds are abysmal. No wonder I had so many relapses in my 17 year in & out AA history....
I have mentioned TSM to a couple of AA members outside of meetings in an attempt to spread the word. Thank God for science and Dr Sinclair!
I wish you luck and look forward to reading about your progress.

Cheers
Sticky

I've only gone to one other AA meeting since my last post...and boy, was it depressing! Seeing all the sanctimonious old-timers and the newly recruited converts...it was so clearly a religious meeting, and everyone there was beyond reach. I told one new convert about the sinclair method and its 80% success rate...he replied "AA has a 100% success rate". I know that the science shows otherwise- but there is no argueing with the faithful.
I still plan to go to the occasional AA meeting, in hopes of rescuing a few newcomers.

100% success rate???? are they insane???? I mean I disagree with AA but I at least thought they meant well. I have a close friend currently going through AA (I'm not even convinced she's an alcoholic, to be honest) and she was like, thanks but no thanks when I told her about TSM. I think she believes it might work but is "cheating" because it's not hard enough or depriving yourself or something (lots of leftover catholic guilt in her). I really wish I could bring her back from the dark side now...
EL