Great read and interesting topic of debate! Might be an unpopular opinion but I don't think everyone in AA is ND as I know some very neurotypical people in the rooms. I suppose hypothetically we need to be mindful to not alienate people who don't identify with ND behaviours because AA is founded on the notion of identification with alcoholism in the many ways it comes up. Can we separate ND from addiction - maybe. There are lots of ND people who arent addicts and alcoholics.
But.... tbh I am so glad that I know I am ADHD and can practice my programme accordingly - with lots of self-compassion and not punishing myself when the 'defects' are challenging. Understanding my ND as an alcoholic is really really helpful but the medicine - the solution of the steps and fellowship - is really the same ND or no ND.
I've never been to an AA meeting. I live in a really little town and I'm terrified of knowing someone (or everyone!) and suddenly it's a lot less anonymous. Plus, I'm not great in groups. Shock horror, I know! /s /lh
I look forward to reading your book. It sounds like it will be great. 🖤
My home group is on Zoom and very LGBTQIA friendly and anymore we just kind of assume that being a bit, or a lot, neurospicy is part of the deal. Heard just yesterday a young woman said, "I got the 'ism and the 'tism." In my in-person groups I can spot them sooner or later. (I see you behind that mask love.)
Your pic out in the field made me think of my ex from 25 years ago and it clicked--she's neurodivergent a.f. with a very high IQ and masking like a pro. It explains a whole lot. My son turned me onto Devon Price's book and I think he'd agree. Now it just makes me sympathetic and sad to not know all this sooner.
[[My home group is on Zoom daily at 7AM EST which makes it about 12 Noon U.K. Open meeting. Write to goodmorningts@gmail.com for log-in info (Troll protection)]]
Absoflippinglutely. The one thing that does go glaringly against the grain though, is holding hands during the Serenity Prayer. It's one of the reasons I haven't been back in over a year now, but this post is making me reconsider!!
My first AA meeting back in 2023 will stay crispy crisp in my mind forever, I think. Within minutes, I was covered in full-body goosebumps as it just felt like all these random people had inhabited my brain and were saying my thoughts, only they came out in different accents.
Although I don't know whether because I used to attend in Amsterdam everyone was a cool city alcoholic, but it did feel a little clique-y sometimes... I'm quite a 'tism-heavy neurodivergent gal - too uptight and weird to be too ADHD - so maybe if you're on the quieter side, we just continue to be the ones to run in last min and be the first out the door after...
Right so YES AND ALSO YAAYYYYY. Im so glad you agree. And the holding hands thing, yes, not so autistic that move. Maybe a gesture towards more 'normal' human relating?
Don't let it hold you back tho. My pal just refuses to hold hands and puts her arms around people's shoulders instead - might that work for you?
She is undiagnosed but 'tistic as they come imho.
It can be cliquey, I think. I guess I made my way into one of the cliques. We try to be friendly mind you but its hard when youre scared of everyone. Maybe that's what cliques really are...
The longer I stay away the harder it gets to return. But i'm planning to go back and be more open about the 'tism and the 'dhd so that more people might recognise they aren't 'just alcoholics' but actually nd.
Or just because its my story and i want to, maybe...
Who knows. Anyway, thursday im gonna be there, over adrenalised, sweating and awks as hell. Can't wait!
Thanks for your support, I can't wait for my book either! Shit's getting real now 😅
I will reply properly soon - but just wanted you to know, I am randomly and creepily about to take you running with me as I listen to your Club Soda podcast hehehe 🌚
Yes absolutely 100%.
Love this. Thank you.
Need more meetings
With neurodiv focus.
No one in the rooms where
I live has a clue.
Great read and interesting topic of debate! Might be an unpopular opinion but I don't think everyone in AA is ND as I know some very neurotypical people in the rooms. I suppose hypothetically we need to be mindful to not alienate people who don't identify with ND behaviours because AA is founded on the notion of identification with alcoholism in the many ways it comes up. Can we separate ND from addiction - maybe. There are lots of ND people who arent addicts and alcoholics.
But.... tbh I am so glad that I know I am ADHD and can practice my programme accordingly - with lots of self-compassion and not punishing myself when the 'defects' are challenging. Understanding my ND as an alcoholic is really really helpful but the medicine - the solution of the steps and fellowship - is really the same ND or no ND.
Lots of love your pal Jo xx
I've never been to an AA meeting. I live in a really little town and I'm terrified of knowing someone (or everyone!) and suddenly it's a lot less anonymous. Plus, I'm not great in groups. Shock horror, I know! /s /lh
I look forward to reading your book. It sounds like it will be great. 🖤
My home group is on Zoom and very LGBTQIA friendly and anymore we just kind of assume that being a bit, or a lot, neurospicy is part of the deal. Heard just yesterday a young woman said, "I got the 'ism and the 'tism." In my in-person groups I can spot them sooner or later. (I see you behind that mask love.)
Your pic out in the field made me think of my ex from 25 years ago and it clicked--she's neurodivergent a.f. with a very high IQ and masking like a pro. It explains a whole lot. My son turned me onto Devon Price's book and I think he'd agree. Now it just makes me sympathetic and sad to not know all this sooner.
[[My home group is on Zoom daily at 7AM EST which makes it about 12 Noon U.K. Open meeting. Write to goodmorningts@gmail.com for log-in info (Troll protection)]]
And to your book I say, Yes! Yes! Yeas!
Ooops. goodmorningqts@gmail.com
Absoflippinglutely. The one thing that does go glaringly against the grain though, is holding hands during the Serenity Prayer. It's one of the reasons I haven't been back in over a year now, but this post is making me reconsider!!
My first AA meeting back in 2023 will stay crispy crisp in my mind forever, I think. Within minutes, I was covered in full-body goosebumps as it just felt like all these random people had inhabited my brain and were saying my thoughts, only they came out in different accents.
Although I don't know whether because I used to attend in Amsterdam everyone was a cool city alcoholic, but it did feel a little clique-y sometimes... I'm quite a 'tism-heavy neurodivergent gal - too uptight and weird to be too ADHD - so maybe if you're on the quieter side, we just continue to be the ones to run in last min and be the first out the door after...
anyhoooo...
CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR BOOK!!
Doh I just lost my long and hilarious reply.
Right so YES AND ALSO YAAYYYYY. Im so glad you agree. And the holding hands thing, yes, not so autistic that move. Maybe a gesture towards more 'normal' human relating?
Don't let it hold you back tho. My pal just refuses to hold hands and puts her arms around people's shoulders instead - might that work for you?
She is undiagnosed but 'tistic as they come imho.
It can be cliquey, I think. I guess I made my way into one of the cliques. We try to be friendly mind you but its hard when youre scared of everyone. Maybe that's what cliques really are...
The longer I stay away the harder it gets to return. But i'm planning to go back and be more open about the 'tism and the 'dhd so that more people might recognise they aren't 'just alcoholics' but actually nd.
Or just because its my story and i want to, maybe...
Who knows. Anyway, thursday im gonna be there, over adrenalised, sweating and awks as hell. Can't wait!
Thanks for your support, I can't wait for my book either! Shit's getting real now 😅
I will reply properly soon - but just wanted you to know, I am randomly and creepily about to take you running with me as I listen to your Club Soda podcast hehehe 🌚
Sage perspective as ever, Jo. I need to meet some nts as have genuinely started to wonder if they exist. Sounds like I need to get out more.
Thanks for reading and sharing your opinion, I'm always happy to be wrong. I mean, i have to be, because it happens so often that I am... x