Fellowship Myths That Won't DieFellowship Myths That Won't Die
Alcoholics Alive!
Shank and Wayne challenge long-standing AA myths, from “90 in 90” to dress codes and conference decisions, using humour and direct quotes from the Big Book. Their chat highlights a simpler focus on trusting God, taking the steps and letting go of fear-based folklore.
54:32•2 Jun 2026
Fellowship Myths, Big Book Changes and What Really Keeps You Sober
Episode Overview
- Question commonly repeated AA slogans like “90 in 90” and “don’t make major decisions for a year,” as they are not requirements in AA literature.
- Remember that recovery responsibility lies with the individual: trusting God and taking the steps matter more than perfect conditions or other people’s behaviour.
- Sobriety in prison can be real sobriety; time clean in any setting is not automatically invalid.
- Myths about mandatory coffee, dress codes and daily sponsor calls may help some but can also create fear and push others away.
- Anonymity applies to press and public media, not to hiding your AA membership from family, employers or other members when sharing might help.
“Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trusts in God and clean house.”
How can compelling narratives motivate and inspire others? Alcoholics Alive! tackles that question head-on as Shank and Wayne take a funny, frank look at what actually helps people get and stay sober — and what’s just AA folklore that “won’t die.” A big chunk of the conversation circles around trust in AA’s structure.
They talk about the General Service Conference, concerns about whether delegates really reflect the wider fellowship, and the controversial decision to change the word “Eskimo” in the first 164 pages of the Big Book after only “a two-hour conversation.” They question why such a long-held standard would shift without the wider fellowship being fully involved. From there, the focus shifts to everyday myths that many newcomers hear as rules.
Shank and Wayne unpack ideas like “90 meetings in 90 days,” “don’t make any major decisions for the first year,” “you must call your sponsor every day,” and “only meeting makers make it.” They stress that these slogans aren’t in AA literature and can scare people off if they’re presented as requirements rather than optional suggestions.
They also poke fun at coffee “requirements,” dress codes, and the belief that sobriety in prison “doesn’t count.” Instead, they keep coming back to a simple core message from the book Alcoholics Anonymous: “Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone.
The only condition is that he trusts in God and clean house.” For anyone in recovery who’s tired of pressure, guilt, and endless rules, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: the programme is meant to be simple — trust God, take the steps, help others, and let the myths go. Which AA sayings in your area might be worth questioning?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.