The Old-Timer Problem

The Old-Timer Problem

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation between Shank and Wayne in *Alcoholics Alive!* takes on "The Old-Timer Problem" with equal parts humour, honesty and long-term AA experience. You’ll hear them start with some meeting oddities, like a man who introduced himself simply as “redeemed”, and a district workshop involving outside mental health professionals. From there, the chat widens into concerns about AA processes being sidestepped, controversial changes slipping through, and why solid group conscience really matters.

The heart of the episode centres on Tradition One’s long form: “Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole… our common welfare comes first.” Both hosts talk about how putting the group first shifted their self-centred thinking and even changed how they showed up at work and in everyday commitments. They dig into what makes someone an "old-timer"—20, 30, 40 or even 50 years—then ask whether old-timers are a problem or a gift.

Shank and Wayne share stories of treasurers hoarding cash in brown bags, founders storming off to start new groups, and long-sober members who quietly bring stability, history and a sense of continuity. They stress that personality defects cause more trouble than years of sobriety, and that good old-timers stay active, make coffee, chair meetings and let newer members make their own mistakes.

In the "Meeting Shrapnel" segment, they have fun scrapping sayings like "I'm still here because of the ISM – incredibly short memory", "What other people think of me is none of my business", and "This is how we've always done it", while also admitting these phrases can sometimes nudge people away from paralysing self-consciousness.

If you’re wondering how long-term members fit into modern AA, or how to balance respect for experience with fresh ideas, this relaxed, candid chat might give you plenty to think about. How are the "old-timers" shaping your own recovery journey?