When was the last time we all talked about the role of booze in our community?
[when was the first time?]
[when was the first time?]
Just what does "drink responsibly" mean?
What role should alcohol play in our lives?
What role should alcohol play in our lives?
Join LifeLube and the Feast of Fools for our next live podcast forum - this one tackling the subject of alcohol and the LGBT community. We are holding at a bar - Sidetrack - because it aint gonna be the same ole same ole.
Wednesday, July 23 - see you there.
The event is FREE and you must RSVP.Click flyer to enlarge and read the rest of the details.
Click for the PDF of the flyer.
Blog about it. Let's get the discussion started now.
Thoughts on having this forum in a bar ----
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, people in recovery and people for whom alcohol still plays a role are mutually exclusive groups; ask anyone in recovery. Those who are in traditional recovery are in recovery because alcohol has proven to have no healthy or functional place in their lives, period, and this is an absolute. Although some (or perhaps many) in the LGBT community are headed down that road, some are not and will continue to use alcohol as part of an acceptable sociocultural norm. It is for the latter group that our forum is directed. For many users of alcohol (and please note that I did not say abusers), an intervention in the form of a community discussion will be effective in getting mental wheels turning about alcohol use. Consequently, those who might not have a genetic predisposition to alcohol abuse will be slightly primed against the environmental factors that might have otherwise been their downfall. There are two main models of drug abuse prevention currently in place: the abstinence model and the harm reduction model. In my opinion, these models are not compatible. Those who are using the AA and 12-step recovery models to abstain have decided that alcohol has such a powerful force over them that it cannot have any role in their lives. Perhaps some users we hope to reach through the harm reduction model would be better off following an abstinence model, and perhaps this in itself is an important topic. However, through our forum, we are hoping to reach those who still allow alcohol to play some role in their lives. Our brothers and sisters in recovery might not benefit from this particular discussion because they adhere to a model that reminds them that all alcohol is poisonous to them at all times and will cause destruction of their lives in full. They have come to this incredibly brave stance out of great strength; they have already arrived and do not need to regress into the intervention stage, and that is what this forum is: a proactive community intervention. In short, those who are most in need of this discussion about alcohol will either a.) be at a bar or b.) be attracted to an event at a bar. Perhaps this controversy brings up a great idea for another forum: How do we bridge the worlds of those who are in recovery and those who allow alcohol to have a role in their lives? This is not just an LGBT issue, but if the LGBT community were to begin a dialogue around this issue, we would be doing something ingenious to aid and acknowledge the enormous group of individuals in recovery who struggle with issues of isolation and alienation as a result of their brave, strong stance.
As a recovering person of 16 years (clean 15 years in July) I see your point clearly and am not surprised that the topic is already heating up - love it and wish I could be there to watch.
ReplyDeleteHaving this discussion in a bar is amazing and the most appropriate place I can imagine. Personally I go to bars when I want, I just don't drink because I cannot stop with a drink and I wake up at some point later..... well you get my point.... my problem, no one else's.
My truth (abstinence) is not THE truth and there are many who can drink / party without issue. Any emotions or judgments that come from my reaction to someone that can party is something I need to look at within myself - as they are most likely coming from a place of envy, judgment, or jealousy.
To me, if I could drink or even get drunk on a regular basis, or do smack, E, crystal, LSD - etc, and have nothing negative show up in my life I would - as often as possible!! But that is not my reality and it took me a long time and many unpleasant experiences to get that.
Harm reduction may forestall a bottom and therefore prolong suffering - or not. But talking is ALWAYS helpful - secrets are the source of much sickness in our community, non-judgmental talk can be healing. There is NO formula to life, recovery, addiction.... Addition and recovery from it is not comprised of some formula and there is no one path to health around addiction.
As I understand the purpose of this session it is to TALK, not create some intervention or craft a solution to some problem, just talk - in my opinion anyone that approaches this time with an intent to do anything more than talk (like try to FIX a problem) is in the wrong place to start with.
I would think that you might want the panelist talk very little and let the attendees do most of the talking... I also think that those in recovery should hold their comments / questions unless directly asked to respond.
Stephan
To clarify the comments above a wee bit - both stem from a conversation that began on the listserv for the Chicago Task Force on LGBT Substance Use and Abuse. A member of the list expressed concern regarding the location for this forum, and thought it didn't allow for the recovery community to play an active role in the event. These comments, and many others, came after that post to the list.
ReplyDeleteWe're also trying to create a discussion on the rich diversity of experience of the role of alcohol and intoxicating beverages have had in both bringing us together and seperating us from ourselves.
ReplyDeletePlease come and share your stories, questions and ideas at this event!
Every show is downloaded over 5-10k times, so if you've ever had something to say to the world, this is your chance.