I've spent a little time on www.healthboards.com - addiction site and have come to the conclusion that the board should be re-named to www.denialboards.com Does accepting the journey of others include those in deep denial? I know the answer to that one already! Sure is hard looking at all the pain out there in the world. I've been wondering if it's worth me trying at all and going back to apathy and ignorance(ie: I don't know and I don't give a shit!). On second thought, I think I'll focus on those who want it, not those who need it, like people in my home group and AA websites.
No effort reaching out to newcomers, even those who seem to be in denial, is EVER wasted. Someday, maybe years down the road and twelve states away, they'll remember there was a place where people cared if they drank. And your efforts will not been in vain.
Our responsibility is to carry the message, not withhold it from those we deem not ready.
A few years ago I was talking to a newcomer after a meeting. He was telling me how wonderful we were in Florida, how great the recovery was here versus where he first tried to get sober. He went on and on how they were really cold up there, never talked about the steps, and wouldn't help the new people. I asked him where this lousy recovery took place and he said Akron, Ohio (the birthplace of AA). I just laughed. They did a good job for him up in Akron, he just wasn't ready then. But when he finally showed up in Florida riding a geographical cure gone bad, he knew there was a place he could go where people cared whether he drank or not.
I remain forever grateful that I'm Done Drinkin Yours In Recovery John C
