An Effective Message
WHENEVER I think about any Traditions, the importance of the home group comes to mind for me. In my view, for AA to thrive and be able to sustain ourselves, we depend on having strong groups. Groups with sufficient numbers of home group members to fill service positions and carry them out to the best of their ability. Home group members who attend meetings at least most weeks, and attend group conscience meetings to have their say in how the group runs.
The wording of Tradition Five suggests it is the message of that group that should be carried to the alcoholic who still suffers. I do meet the criteria above for a home group member, but when chairing our last group conscience, had to be reminded by another group member to consider if we are carrying our message effectively. A good reminder that I rely on others, as we all do in AA. I consider myself to be a bit of a traditionalist, being someone who got sober entirely through AA and having another alcoholic carry the message to me through the Big Book. I guess the message each group ought to be carrying is that we understand the alcoholic problem, and there is a solution which is described in the Big Book, another alcoholic who has been through the Programme would be willing to guide them through it.
Still, that’s my view and Tradition Five clearly refers to each group carrying their message, whatever that may be. My final thought on Tradition Five is about the alcoholic who still suffers. In my experience this is not limited to newcomers or people returning from having another go on the drink. I am mindful to include in ‘the still suffering’ anyone who is having a hard time, however long they have been sober. If I choose to stop following my daily routines and practicing these Steps, then I know before too long at all I will be among those still suffering. Quite a sobering thought!
SIMON D, Penarth, South Wales
