Big Book Study Cult invades A.A. in Lithuania

Extract from 19^th European Service Meeting, 2017, page 63: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/download/1/Library/Documents/Europe/19th%20European%20Service%20Meeting%202017.pdf

“Around 2010 ― “Big book STUDY” groups started to form. They look like followers of the Oxford groups. Seminars of "sponsorship" are being organised. Written contracts are being made between a sponsor and sponsee. Usage of 0th (zero) step. Persistant persuasion that there is "the one and only true path to RECOVERY". They're stating that they don't have alcohol problem anymore, ―”Aren't ill anymore”. Big book study groups aggressively express themselves in public information also discrediting ideas of AA. They publish and sell AA GSO unapproved literature. Inside of AA fellowship in Lithuania a few individuals are trying to organize a separate structure, which is based on distorted principles of sponsorship. They are attempting to affect AA processes through their sponsees. In this way, chaos is being spread and AA unity is being pulled apart. Hyperactive actions in public information and ignored opinions of other AA groups and services is making society feel repulsive towards AA fellowship, damaging its public image. Based on the Twelve Concepts for World Service we understand that we can‘t do much more than just talk trying to appeal to their conscience and urge to follow the 12 traditions of AA. That's why we are asking you to share your experience on how did you deal in similar situations.”

The experience of A.A. in Lithuania is similar to that experienced by A.A. in some parts of Great Britain.

The Big Book Study movement, supported by an international recruitment apparatus involving a network of treatment centres, seminars, retreats, speaker recordings, publications, websites and online meetings, is unlikely to go away anytime soon. New cult groups are likely to pop up wherever the movement, using what are sophisticated forms of brainwashing, can recruit and radicalize vulnerable individuals. Lack of information appears to be part of the problem.

For information on Big Book Study cults and the Synanon Cult’s contribution to this international movement, see AA Minority Report 2017: “Synanon Cult influence on Alcoholics Anonymous, Addiction Treatment and the Criminal Justice System 1968-2017”