Dr Sleep and AA
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At AA we have different kinds of meetings. Most are called Open Discussion meeting. This is the standard meeting
where anyone can talk about anything they like(with in reason). Another is called a Step Meeting. This is where we read
a chapter from one of our books called the step book. Then we talk mostly about the readings. We also have a
Big book meeting where we read from a second book-- that we have no name for, except "The Big Book".
Another kind of meeting is called a Speaker Meeting. This is when one person gets up sand tells their own story
in some detail. They speak for maybe 20 minutes to the whole group then let others talk and relate to them, and what-not.
basically they tell " What we were like, what happened, and what were like now"
They give their experience, strength and hope.
In recent years some people have taken to writing down the 20 minute versions of their story, and sharing it on-line; with whoever.
Mr. King has not really done this. He told the story of his "intervention" . Where his wife dumped a garbage bag, in front
of him , on the living room floor. This is actually 'more' then what most celebs talk about in public. !~
I am sure Mr. King has been to more then a view of these speaker meetings, but most likely never been a speaker.
This is not a surprise, This might be his choice; or it might be frowned upon for celebs to do such a thing (IDK)
I would love for him to write down his 20 minute version of his story, and do it with AA lingo. This would be a treat.
cant blame him though, if he chooses not to.
AA has men's meeting, woman's, gay's, Spanish speaking. Young people meetings, meetings for people that are on step-6 or higher,
...you name , we got it. ...and if we dont ...then we'll make it up on the spot !
where anyone can talk about anything they like(with in reason). Another is called a Step Meeting. This is where we read
a chapter from one of our books called the step book. Then we talk mostly about the readings. We also have a
Big book meeting where we read from a second book-- that we have no name for, except "The Big Book".
Another kind of meeting is called a Speaker Meeting. This is when one person gets up sand tells their own story
in some detail. They speak for maybe 20 minutes to the whole group then let others talk and relate to them, and what-not.
basically they tell " What we were like, what happened, and what were like now"
They give their experience, strength and hope.
In recent years some people have taken to writing down the 20 minute versions of their story, and sharing it on-line; with whoever.
Mr. King has not really done this. He told the story of his "intervention" . Where his wife dumped a garbage bag, in front
of him , on the living room floor. This is actually 'more' then what most celebs talk about in public. !~
I am sure Mr. King has been to more then a view of these speaker meetings, but most likely never been a speaker.
This is not a surprise, This might be his choice; or it might be frowned upon for celebs to do such a thing (IDK)
I would love for him to write down his 20 minute version of his story, and do it with AA lingo. This would be a treat.
cant blame him though, if he chooses not to.
AA has men's meeting, woman's, gay's, Spanish speaking. Young people meetings, meetings for people that are on step-6 or higher,
...you name , we got it. ...and if we dont ...then we'll make it up on the spot !
Entirely an assumption on my part but my guess is he's "just Steve" at meetings. 
That'll work where he regularly goes. But it must be difficult for any famous person when not at home, feeling the need of support, to walk in to a room where everyone is supposed to be anonymous....and without a mask, he can't be.Entirely an assumption on my part but my guess is he's "just Steve" at meetings.
I completely agree- I couldn't get "canny" and "mama" out of my hear after I read it. Haunting.
From where *I* come, that statement is a lie. "There's very little God talk." That's all there IS is God talk but no explanations for why this wonderful, loving God who keeps people sober sat by on September 11 and watched my daughter's dad plus thousands of others die b/c presumably (and I've been told this) it was his divine will to watch while WE watched a member of our family die by being burned to death so utterly that to this day we've never received the "physical confirmation" that he's even dead at ALL.
They also CAN'T take it or leave it. If they leave it they're never seen as "getting better."
That's just my own experience. It's also why I stopped going for the most part.
This book never mentioned there are people LIKE that but I'll swear as an eye witness to it that there are TOO. HE'S just been fortunate enough NOT to see them. And like anybody's going to tell him that a horrible event that happened in his family is "God's divine will?"
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Well, hello young lady.
Im afaid I cant follow what your saying very well. But; yes there IS some God talk at
any givin meeting, and its woveb inot the step.
There ARE SOME people that will think/believe and "say" that a person is not
"geetting better" unless they are "DOWN" with the God stuff.
These people are few in my experience and I simply avoid them.
we all know::
there are thousands of AA/NA folks who have been clean and sober for years and
are either Agnostic-atheists or 'believers' who want Little or nothing to do with
{religion}. Many of us "were Plum DISGUSTED by religion and all its works"
(including Dr. Bob)
I feel disgusted reading about the people in your story that think 911 was
some how "God Will". (My disgust is not as great as my befuddlement.)
THAT is not the God of my understanding.
I know people that will tell other they are not "really" in recovery Unless they
have done This or finished That, or in "believe in" something they believe in.
One guy , 22 years sober, told me I wasnt "really" clean and sober because...
I am still smoking ... ''Winstons"
I avoid these folks, and avoid their meeting if need be, Its not that hard.
Look people, AA had just as many A-wh0le$ and jerks as the rest of the
population...More really...but you CANT let them drive you away from
the good folks.
***everyone:
If you think you wanna "check out AA" ...
the ONLY REQUIERMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP
is a desire to stop drinking.
nothing else need concern you.
Im afaid I cant follow what your saying very well. But; yes there IS some God talk at
any givin meeting, and its woveb inot the step.
There ARE SOME people that will think/believe and "say" that a person is not
"geetting better" unless they are "DOWN" with the God stuff.
These people are few in my experience and I simply avoid them.
we all know::
there are thousands of AA/NA folks who have been clean and sober for years and
are either Agnostic-atheists or 'believers' who want Little or nothing to do with
{religion}. Many of us "were Plum DISGUSTED by religion and all its works"
(including Dr. Bob)
I feel disgusted reading about the people in your story that think 911 was
some how "God Will". (My disgust is not as great as my befuddlement.)
THAT is not the God of my understanding.
I know people that will tell other they are not "really" in recovery Unless they
have done This or finished That, or in "believe in" something they believe in.
One guy , 22 years sober, told me I wasnt "really" clean and sober because...
I am still smoking ... ''Winstons"
I avoid these folks, and avoid their meeting if need be, Its not that hard.
Look people, AA had just as many A-wh0le$ and jerks as the rest of the
population...More really...but you CANT let them drive you away from
the good folks.
***everyone:
If you think you wanna "check out AA" ...
the ONLY REQUIERMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP
is a desire to stop drinking.
nothing else need concern you.
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sorry about my spelling above. my eyes have crossed
Im afraid I cant follow what your saying very well. But; yes there IS some God talk at
any given meeting, and its woven into the "steps"
Im afraid I cant follow what your saying very well. But; yes there IS some God talk at
any given meeting, and its woven into the "steps"
years and years ago in little: Claymont DE ; we had a celeb show up to
a tiny meetting there , I think its OK for me to say it was
(I wasnt at this meeting)
a tiny meetting there , I think its OK for me to say it was
Alec Balwdwin
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I have attended a lot of what AA calls ''Speaker Meetings'', since I am not a member myself. Those meetings are opened to everybody. Sometimes I'm amazed to see that some speakers can really be of great help for an alcoholic who comes to a meeting for the 1st time, and also to old members. You don't have to be a member to learn lessons from speeches. I have learned a lot just listening and applied those lessons in my own life. I usually attend when my hubby or a person very dear to my heart is taking an anniversary cake or token ( in french we say jeton ) sorry, if the word is not accurate in english. I cooked my hubby's cakes for each anniversary, and I feel that it's important for members each time they light up their candle to kinda celebrate this stade in their life. It's a victory each time they share the cake or token with people in place. Sometimes speakers have a lot of humor, and a good laugh is always welcome. 
there is lots of laughing at most AA meeting.... the stories we can tell...
...if they down break your heart-- they will have you in stitches...
very often , both
...if they down break your heart-- they will have you in stitches...
very often , both
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Flake.The entire book, 'Doctor Sleep' is completely based on alcoholism and AA. The villain goes by Rose "the Hat"; the hat is a reference to wearing the disease. That's an easy analysis. The one tooth that feeds is another allusion. The True Knot represents those dedicated to alcohol instead of getting better, led by "the Hat".Hi everyone! Hope you guys had fantastic hollidays. Happy New Year to each one of you.
I am currently reading french translation of Dr. Sleep and I find this novel so completly awesome. That being said, I'm not an AA member, but my husband is ( and not ashamed of it ). He's been sober for nearly 30 years now. So I am glad to see the many references about AA and how it's painted in the book. Everything is so accurate ( the big book, the meetings, the mentors, the way alcoolics are describded and their sufferings. Dan Torrance is gifted with his ''shining'', but he's also human and tormented. He's a fantastic exemple on how people with great intelligence and big potentiel could also have to struggle every day of their life to stay away from alcool or other subtences. SK wrote a great novel and he probably helped at the same time people who are addicted to those. My husband is not a reader, but I read parts where AA is mentionned to him, and he agreed that the program is very well describded. Dr. Sleep is truely a book of reference as well as a fascinating work of art. Love it!!!
I'm guessing Stephen King had an issue with alcohol or some substance, unless he allowed his kid to write the book. Really not a good read, and I love Salem's Lot and Cycle of the Werewolf (Silver Bullet more). Fans have to admit, the book seems like it was written by a fan fic writer, who knows how to write correctly. Just my opinion, and only my third Stephen King novel I have read.
Welcome to the Board!
Opinions are subjective so what appeals to one person might not to another. I'm in the camp of having liked the book and thought it was a good read.
Opinions are subjective so what appeals to one person might not to another. I'm in the camp of having liked the book and thought it was a good read.
....I say welcome, but also say-don't judge a body of work by one novel, especially if you've never read The Shining.....also, Steve indeed had a very difficult problem with alcohol and drugs years ago, so read into what you wish-but he is known for exorcising some personal demons through his work.....