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I got into a pretty interesting conversation a few months ago with someone who had the opinion that gambling on sports has become way too easy, and that that will inevitably increase gambling addiction.
I didn’t chime in with any thoughts, because I don’t really have an overall opinion on addictive things other than this: I can’t do them. I try to subscribe to the 10th tradition of the 12-step programs, which says that the programs have no opinion on outside issues, hence the program name never ought to be drawn into public controversy.
But this guy couldn’t believe I didn’t want gambling or alcohol or marijuana banned. I just shrugged my shoulders and said my only opinion on it is that I can’t really do any significant mind-altering substance or activity that could conceivably turn into an addiction.
“But you know first-hand how destructive this stuff can be!” he said.
I told him yeah, I know… but I don’t want to be in the game of figuring out what I can’t handle, and then advocating against it so that other people—people who might be able to handle it—can’t do it. He was still shaking his head, and I was still shrugging my shoulders.
But that’s the way I feel, and I’m so glad that tradition exists. I’ve read some of the history of recovery programs, and there have been some tricky situations where groups did take public stances on things and it didn’t work out so well. I’m trying to imagine how problematic it would be if 12-step groups were paying for ads to outlaw alcohol, or to vote for a certain politician, or for public funding of this cause or that cause. I think it would not be good!
I like that that also keeps our message and goals very pure and simple: If you think you have an alcohol or drug problem, let’s try to not drink and do drugs! That’s it! I love that we generally stick to that because recovery is pretty damn hard without anything else clouding the picture.
And besides, I’ve been to enough business meetings where 10 alcoholics end up bickering over whether to buy a new fan for the room that I know for a fact that I don’t want to be taking group conscience on who should be president or whether the U.S. should go to war or not.
I love that we can just keep our focus on staying sober, keeping meetings available for the newcomer in need of help… and yeah, maybe a new fan once in a while!
ALCOHOLIC/ADDICT JOKE OF THE DAY
This newsletter is a place of joy and laughter about the deadly serious business of sobriety. So, as I will often do, let me close with a joke:
A drunk was lying in bed, still groggy after an operation.
His doctor came in, looking glum: "I can't be sure what's wrong with you. I think it's the drinking."
"OK," the patient said. "I'm sure by tomorrow you'll sober up."
(Credit: AA Grapevine)
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