Singleness of Purpose - Recovered 973

“Singleness of purpose” is essential to the effective treatment of alcoholism. The reason for such exaggerated focus is to overcome denial. The denial associated with alcoholism is cunning, baffling, and powerful and affects the patient, helper, and the community. Unless alcoholism is kept relentlessly in the foreground, other issues will usurp everybody’s attention.

“Singleness of Purpose” is necessary to overcome denial, is even more compelling. Given a choice, nobody wants to talk about alcoholism. In contrast, drug addiction commands newspaper headlines, research funding and the attention of clinical audiences.

Our difficulties with alcohol is the one common thing that all AAs have.

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That is what we will talk about tonight. Tonight, the topic is “Singleness of Purpose.”

What first comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Singleness of Purpose?”
Where do you want to start?
First thoughts?

What does “Singleness of Purpose” mean to you?
Why is Singleness of Purpose an AA tenet, why is Singleness of Purpose important to AA?
Is singleness of purpose for individuals or for the group?
Why?

Why is Singleness of Purpose important for the new guy? Why is it important for the new guy to have closed meetings focused only on alcohol?
Why is it important to you for the discussions at the closed AA meeting to stay focused on alcohol?

Singleness of purpose is born out of Traditions 3 and 5. So let’s review:
Tradition 3 - The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Tradition 5 - Each group has but one primary purpose -- to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

What does Tradition 3 mean to you?
What does tradition 5 mean to you?

Have you attended a closed meeting where someone shares about drug use?
How did that affect you?
Did it endanger your recovery?

Do you have to be an alcoholic to be a member of AA?
What if the addict has a desire to stop drinking and stop using drugs, can they attend closed AA meetings?
What about open meetings?

What if the drug addict wants to stops drugs but not alcohol, can they attend closed meetings?
What about an alcoholic who smokes weed, can they attend closed AA meetings?

Have you ever seen someone challenged about drug talk at a closed meeting?
What happened?

If someone is going on and on about drug use, how do you think that situation should be handled?

What would you suggest to the drug addict who wants to get clean?
If the drug addict wants to go to closed AA meetings, what suggestions would you give to that person?

How to handle dually addicted alcoholics who persist in talking about other problems in closed meetings?

What would you say to the new guy?
What would you say to the new guy?