AA sheet audited?

Twoyearnurse · Nov 30, 2016

Hello friend. I am sure that many have gotten away with that. My question would be: is it worth the stress that they could find out?

Part of having a history of drug or alcohol abuse generally means that somewhere, at some point we likely lied. Probably a lot. To ourselves, to others.

Little lies turn into big lies. Tread cautiously, you're new to your program (I read your other post), best not to look for loopholes. You survived cancer. You are strong- don't start cheating yourself now.

Twoyearnurse · Nov 30, 2016

And- if you have already forged, accept that and stop.

malamud69, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2016

"Anonymous" hmmmm...seems like this essential idea is being left out...people that actually believe and live by the principles set forth in the 12 step ideals...mumbo jumbo or not...wouldn't even sign a sheet...the entire premise of coercing people to attend "anonymous" pseudo religious propaganda meetings and then expecting those true believers to sign off is a travesty only Kafka would anticipate...good luck in whatever you choose...please keep your individuality intact

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2016

"Anonymous" hmmmm...seems like this essential idea is being left out...people that actually believe and live by the principles set forth in the 12 step ideals...mumbo jumbo or not...wouldn't even sign a sheet...the entire premise of coercing people to attend "anonymous" pseudo religious propaganda meetings and then expecting those true believers to sign off is a travesty only Kafka would anticipate...good luck in whatever you choose...please keep your individuality intact

Meh. Technically the tradition is that anonymity should only be maintained at the level of press/radio/TV. Otherwise it's not in violation of the spirit of the program to break your anonymity on a personal level if you are comfortable doing that -- which is what is done whenever someone 12th steps someone outside of an AA room or does outside service work. (My homegroup speaks at highschools in the area.) Also, signing Firstname Lastinitial is debatably a practical breech of anonymity.

Technically, the only requirement for AA is a desire to stop drinking. It never really says anything about it being a voluntary program and, arguably, plenty of folks get coerced into attending AA via informal means.

Personally, I don't believe AA should ever be mandated and I do know people who won't sign court/treatment slips but I'm not really sure that the actual traditions support this line of thinking.

That being said, it's probably a bad idea to forge signatures just because that .001% of them finding out will have you up a creek.

RickG85 · Nov 30, 2016

I haven't forged any signatures but I was just curious. I don't find the 12 steps helpful at all. I know that's not something people like to hear but it's the truth for me. What I have found helpful are others stories about their sobriety and how they lost everything because of their addiction. I don't want that to be me and I strive to stay sober.

I dislike going at times but I do feel good after I go - I won't forge anything because I have everything riding on this program, but I am curious about them "auditing" the sheet. Anyways, thanks for the replies

Twoyearnurse · Nov 30, 2016

I think AA\NA works for many people, not everyone though. The things that fill us are different for everyone. I don't believe in AA- I have butted heads with my sponsor over being agnostic and working a program that centers around spirituality and the concept of a higher power.

With that said- recovery people are my people and I too find being around them- in particular the folks who come in and I get to watch grow, get better, recover- lends me strength and I am genuinely happy for them, and then also myself because I can see myself in them.

I have found three meetings that I like going to and the people there are funny, outgoing, sarcastic, and I absolutely love seeing them. This has made it so I look forward to spending time with them and I've built friendships with them. It makes the meetings more about spending time with my friends as a social activity rather than a sentence from the board.

I learned early on that I could make this experience as bothersome of as fun as I wanted it to be.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Dec 2, 2016

Eventually, it worked for me

today I don't work the steps, but live them......

allnurses Guide · Dec 3, 2016

In the five years I was in the California Diversion program I am not sure I ever heard of anyone having their AA attendance card audited. I am sure it must have happened at some time to someone but I just never saw it. We used to have to scan and send our actual signature cards to our monitors

Hppy .

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2016

Agree that I love the social aspect of meetings, and I like to hear the stories that people share. Especially listening to newcomers -- it really centers me, reminds me of where I could easily be again. I like a lot of the adjunct AA lit -- there are books and pamphlets written for feminists, Buddhists, etc. I find the bulk of the actual program to be outdated, sometimes offensive, and generally unhelpful to me. In my other life as a professional psych patient, I had a lot of therapy. I feel like the parts of the steps that I do find helpful are better covered through CBT, DBT, etc. But those modalities simply do not have the community aspect of AA.

But that's totally just me. I am also not a spiritual person and do not believe that my alcoholism has spiritual roots, so that immediately puts me at odds with AA philosophy.

1jewel, ADN · Dec 3, 2016

My first monitoring program was a joke! I was in complete denial and I loathed going to NA/AA meetings! Well, much has changed, I hit rock bottom in March, and admitted myself to inpatient therapy because I was scared and realized I needed help. I had over 265 days clean and relapsed (I stopped going to meetings, stopped working the program, etc....) Do yourself a favor and if you don't think you are an addict, just humble yourself and go to meetings. I believe the 12 steps can benefit anyone!

Omaapecm, ASN, RN · Dec 12, 2016

AA and NA meetings aren't for everyone. I absolutely hated the idea at first but once I found my place and my voice I see can understand the help the unity can provide. I attend a very non traditional meeting forum. People even bring there kids and there pets. Don't get me wrong, I have been to AA meeting that you weren't even allowed to speak of using drugs or would be asked to leave and attend NA. There are a lot of hardcore members out there. .......My point is if you don't like the meeting your at try and find a different group you can even start your own. I would highly suggest not forging anything. Way to stressful!!!!!