For those in 12 steps programs, how do you handle no politics in program?

[TygrBright]

2. I handle it (and our groups handle it) by talking about other things.

There's no shortage of material.

Sure, we mention that "the news" or "current events" or whatever adds to our stress, but keep that general.

For most of us, there's plenty of other things to talk about. The Serenity Prayer is a popular topic.

Gatherings after meetings are generally part of the "let there be no gossip or criticism" thing, and if not actually meetings (because, no structure, no speaker, no step topic, etc.) if they include more than two of us, they're Program.

If I'm in a one-on-one with a sponsor or another group member for the purposes of sharing experience, strength hope, offering support, etc., politics may be an area for discussion in the sense of "am I using it as an excuse to 'let' myself be angry or relinquish responsibility for my actions and choices?" but not in any depth.

If I'm in a one-on-one social situation with someone who's also in the Program and we're not actually doing anything Program-related and I know they're someone who shares (generally) my political orientation, we talk about politics just the way I talk about politics with other friends.

responsively,
Bright