When AA members return to drinking, as they frequently do, it usually to much worse drinking than before initial AA contact. Since the program is held as perfect, the drinker and other groupers attribute this to the particular nature of “the disease.”

Often, a person quits attending meetings because he is angry over being pressured to accept a particular point, or presumed point, of doctrine. For instance, a Jewish person may be told that his prayers are no good because he doesn't pray on his knees. “God won't listen unless you show humility.”*

While the statement itself may have little effect, if a member's “willfulness” becomes an object of efforts at group “help,” great pressure will be brought to bear. Speakers and sharers may tell how their own refusal to pray on their knees cause them great harm. Or, a speaker may tell how his “terminal uniqueness,” thinking he was different from other alcoholics, cause him to think he didn't need to pray on his knees. Proper praying position may become a frequent topic of “casual” conversation at after meeting coffee.

Pressure also takes other forms. For example, if the Jewish man should seek direction on a particular problem, he may be asked if he has prayed about it and then be asked if he prayed on his knees. If the answer is “no,” he may be met with silence and body language which suggests, “Well, that explains it.”