Has there been an in-depth study of Alcoholism Recovery Jack?
I read about the local shop contradictory stories, but there's more than that.
BTW, my name is Benign Narcissist and I'm an alcoholic, and regularly attended meetings and events for a number of years.
I have never seen, or heard of, an AA group in the UK give out the "sobriety chips" marking the length of time sober (though I have seen it in other 'anonymous groups' - Cocaine Anonymous, for example).
She might have a home group that does do it, but why would she accept multiple chips to mark the same length of sober time?
Any South of England friends of Bill W able to confirm if sobriety chips are given out?
Standard advice to new arrivals at AA is attend 90 meetings in 90 days, and don't drink in between. Anonymity is discussed, and I'm pretty sure someone with a high profile is advised that using said profile to announce early recovery risks damaging AA reputation, and putting others off trying it, in the event of a relapse.
If Jack does have a sponsor (AA veteran to do the 12 Step programme with), then they will be aghast at her social media antics.
Jack announced to the world her alcoholism with a Guardian article a week into 'sobriety' - everyone is different, but I don't know any AA members who made membership public within the first few months rather than days, except one guy who announced it on his Facebook page when he acted like a drunken fool at a work event and tried to worm out of getting sacked.
Jack may well have gone to AA. She may believe she is addicted to alcohol. She might even be. I can't know. But what I do know is that her exposing the organisation to association with her, particularly so early on, would likely cause immense discomfort to those who do "service" (volunteer to host and run the meetings). This is read out at the start of every meeting:
A.A. PREAMBLE
A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
Nobody would ever be asked to leave an AA meeting unless something really awful like violence resulted. But AA meetings will have people desperately in need of help arriving, and, if Jack does attend, find there is a social media personality with serious boundary issues there.
If Jack is in AA, she acted out of accordance with the spirit of anonymity the organisation has carefully cultivated over decades.
Many famous people have spoken of their membership - but usually after many years sobriety, and often significant service. Jack showed up and wrote a Guardian article about it.
It's all very weird and suspicious.
(Small, Dire Potatoes as a title?) but as a con job type story it’s a banger. People love that stuff. 
hooting out loud, great commentary all, thank you for all you do 
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