AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) in Khon Kaen

I see that my mention of buying wine in 5 liter boxes prompted Rex to revitalize some interest in AA.  First of all, I can say categorically that my 5 liter boxes are not indicative of a drinking problem.. One box lasts about 4-6 weeks..  I enjoy a drink most days but I can take it or leave it  any time.
Having said that, I think AA is a truly excellent organization.  I have known several people who would likely have died way before their time if they had not found it and been helped to stop drinking. I have noticed a great deal of excessive drinking here in LOS....

Quote: Skywalker
But I think the nights I drink are caused by more than just fitting in socially.  I think it's a crutch to combat the occasional feelings of powerlessness I experience as an expat with basically no rights.  Also, boredom at times.  Thank God I have a great marriage and job, otherwise I would probably leave Thailand ASAP.
Quote:

I think this quote says a great deal about the problem for many people.  Boredom and the need for companionship seem to be the main factors driving guys to drink so much. Some people are just more vulnerable than others.  Some people are just more "addictive" than others and some are more diciplined than others etc.    I feel lucky because I don't seem to get really hooked on anything.  I used to start and stop smoking without difficulty and booze has no particular attraction except for having a relaxing glass of wine or sake around dinner time.  I don't know if my resistance to addiction is because of some kind of body chemistry or just the shear terror of addiction after seeing what it can do to people.  If  excess drinking was the price to fit in socially, I would choose to be a hermit..... Being alone and lonely are two very different conditions, but there are many who seem to think they are the same thing.

"We are like sheep without a shepard
we don't know how to be alone
so we wander through this desert
and follow all the wrong Gods home"
(From: Learn to be Still---The Eagles 1994)

"Boredom and the need for companionship seem to be the main factors driving guys to drink so much. Some people are just more vulnerable than others. " - Vicco

davidthai wrote: Alcoholics Anoymous is very strong in Khon Kaen , we have meetings on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday , it does work , i was a raving insane Alcoholic for the first 30 years of my life and now i have been sober for 26 years plus , we are not a god organisation or temperance society , we are from all walks of life, religions and nationality if you have a problem and would like to know how to stop and have a better life please PM me , the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking ,

Fri 26 Mar 10, 9:24 am

A couple years ago I ran across a book called "12 Steps on the Buddha's Path: Bill, Buddha, and We" by Laura S (ISBN 0-86171-281-1). She relates the 12-step process in terms of Buddhism...non-theistically.



Another great book on this subject is One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps by Kevin Griffin.

Ajahn Santikaro's  recently came here to do a workshop on "Buddhism and the 12 Steps.

 Talks are downloadable here -

http://www.liberationpark.org/audiox/12step.htm