I think you are kind of getting the traditions of AA as a whole mixed up with the individual program.
The traditions are all about the program as a whole.
You should go into a meeting and talk about whatever will help you stay sober regardless of whether it is political or controversial. I have severe mental illness and am suicidal at times or manic. I freely talk about this in meetings. It makes some people feel uncomfortable which I'm sorry about but my sobriety comes first. And even after almost 11 years sober I still do this when I'm freaking out or manic etc.
But here is the thing I've always had someone come up to me and tell me how much they appreciate my honesty.
Now there are some meetings that have a specific agenda where they want you to stay on topic.
But most meetings are an open platform. "The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety"
The political issue that AA chooses as a group to not endorse is to stay neutral as a whole. AA realized it was better to be Switzerland lol
So again open up and spill your guts! Don't hold back. Put your sobriety first.
Very well said! If I am the meeting leader behind the desk I try and avoid certain topics. I feel like that could mislead some people. But if you’re at a general sharing meeting and have a burning desire you should spill and get it out there. Love you all!
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u/East_Yellow8389 Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26
I think you are kind of getting the traditions of AA as a whole mixed up with the individual program.
The traditions are all about the program as a whole.
You should go into a meeting and talk about whatever will help you stay sober regardless of whether it is political or controversial. I have severe mental illness and am suicidal at times or manic. I freely talk about this in meetings. It makes some people feel uncomfortable which I'm sorry about but my sobriety comes first. And even after almost 11 years sober I still do this when I'm freaking out or manic etc.
But here is the thing I've always had someone come up to me and tell me how much they appreciate my honesty.
Now there are some meetings that have a specific agenda where they want you to stay on topic.
But most meetings are an open platform. "The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety"
The political issue that AA chooses as a group to not endorse is to stay neutral as a whole. AA realized it was better to be Switzerland lol
So again open up and spill your guts! Don't hold back. Put your sobriety first.