A few facts that were left out of this film.
This film is shown ad nauseum in treatment centers across America. On one hand, it shows the historical context: this was a group formed during the third wave temperance movement.
However, I actually read up on Bill W., and his "spiritual awakening" was drug induced.
He dabbled with LSD. He was the original 13th stepper, which is someone who preys on and exploits new members who are in a vulnerable state. He even had a group of people whose sole job it was to distract Bill when a new, young, female member would come to the group. He was a sex addict. I don't know how his wife stayed with him over all those years: perhaps it has to do with the codependent mess that is the chapter "To Wives," advising the female reader to never confront her husband or be critical of his life- and family- destroying alcoholism, and tells the reader to acknowledge "their part" in her husband's drinking.
AA was also based on an Evangelical Christian group known as the Oxford Group. Bill modified their Twelve Steps to alcohol, but the original twelve steps talked about sin, while paradoxically praying to Jesus while preaching that they weren't religious: much like AA. Bill W. converted to Christianity, while his whole life grappling with serious feelings of guilt and worthlessness. He was never able to quit smoking or drinking coffee. In the end, he died from his nicotine addiction, as he was unable to stop, even when on oxygen near the end of his life. Before he died, he begged for "one last drink."
Does this sound like someone whom you'd base your life around, let alone a fellowship? Does it sound like an accurate depiction of what you saw in the movie?
Maybe AA works for you. You should feel proud about yourself that you have benefited where the vast majority of people fail. But for the 95% of the population that does not succeed in AA or other twelve step fellowship groups, there are other options. Moderation Management, HAMS, SMART Recovery, the Sinclair Method. I myself found cognitive behavioral therapy to be much more beneficial than faith healing. You are NOT alone in your struggles. AA would not exist in the way it does today if it didn't have such a massive following in the judicial system. They are referring convicted pedophiles and rapists to this program.
I can't tell if I should give this a high star rating because, as a film, it's very good, or if I should give it a low star rating because of how incredibly misleading it is to so many people, many in an incredibly vulnerable part in their lives when they see it.
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