Ahhh the old get a resentment and start your own new group. I have been on steering committees and those and business meetings always had the most drama. We always argued about some issue or another. The latest was bringing your kids to a meeting. I was for it because it is the only way some people can get to a meeting and I have never really seen them be disruptive. Then there is Iphones in meetings and people snapping pictures. Obviously no one should be taking pictures in an anonymous group.

My experience in CA is that pretty much everyone talks about drugs and alcohol in meetings now, it is just accepted. I always just say I am an alcoholic out of respect but I can't really share my story without talking about drugs because it was so much apart of my experience and so tied in with my drinking.

What you describe is hard to see in a small town. Big towns can deal with that a lot better there are so many groups. Emgreen pointed out to me that a lot of people will have more trouble in a small town because there are less meetings and a core group of people. That is true in the town I am in now. If you don't feel you fit in you are kind of SOL. Yes there are cliques with the popular people and the 13th step and all that. That's part of the miracle to me is that a bunch of sick people can get together and help each other stay sober. And AA evolves and more will be revealed.

I am also not very involved these days. I am amazed at the amount of 12th step work I can do outside the rooms. It seems to seek me out.

Can you copy and paste in my thread. I am trying to collect both experiences. Same thread really but.....

http://forums.psychcentral.com/addic...nce-aa-na.html