Reply #46: As someone who has been through Al-Anon [View All]

[KaraokeKarlton]

To call AA and 12 step self-help programs "cults" is offensive. If it weren't for Al Anon, I would probably still be living with a violent alcoholic who used to beat the living shit out of me. Al Anon gave me my confidence, emotional strength and courage back. I've seen AA save the lives of MANY people.

My ex husband is an alcoholic who has this negative attitude about AA. He can't keep a girlfriend, his kids want nothing to do with him because he is such a miserable asshole to people. His father and brother didn't even want him to be at his own mother's funeral because of how horribly he behaves. He buys books like "How to make friends for dummies" and is a lonely, miserable person. AA is right. Alcoholics who don't find AA or a program like it to give them the tools they need to overcome their addiction, their life is not only pure hell for themselves, but also for everyone around them. It's a great program that I have seen help so many people.