3 years sober without AA/NA

Recovery
#1

Just want to post this because I know there's going to be a few atheists out there or new people that dont feel comfortable in AA/NA. This one is for yall. Understanding that with the right support, environment, and perseverance that you can do it. I never agreed with many teachings in AA and there was no 4A/AANA in my area. Always been an extremely solitary person and it's all about finding your footing with the right meds, therapist, and support system. Know that although difficult. That it is possible

Edit:
There are also many alternatives to AA such as smart recovery and refuge recovery.

22 Likes
#2

Welcome Bryce!! We are a very diverse group, and we all can benefit from your post. I personally work a hybrid program, with AA being a big part of it. I believe the more paths to recovery the better. Thanks brother

1 Like
#3

I am also in recovery without religion. 1 year 4 months alcohol free. I had AA crammed down my throat so much in rehab while I was early in my sobriety. I have not attended a single AA meeting since I got out. Go Us!!!!

1 Like
#4

Same here, 1 year sober but AA wasn’t for me, just learned to adapt and had a great support system so far

1 Like
#5

So what resources do you guys use
? Other types of meetings? Literature? I’d love to learn more about sobriety without AA.

#6

For me specifically have a therapist that also specializes in addiction counseling. Everybody's path looks different but the right therapist and a healthy support system has gotten me through

1 Like
#7

I'm an atheist in AA. We have a lot of secular meetings. Jim Burwell, a little talked about AA OG was an atheist.

The main thing about AA, to me, is helping other people. There is no other organization where you have the opportunity to help others as much as you want to be involved. This is important to me.

1 Like
#8

How often do you go to your therapist?

#9

Up to 3 times a week as needed but a baseline of at least once a week

1 Like
#10

Almost 8 years sober, went to a handful of AA meetings that was not for me. So I have done it all by my self literally by my self.

1 Like
#11

Thanks Bryce.

#12

Yay!!!

1 Like
#14

I stumbled on ideologies like the Norse code , nothing to do with the religion side of it however they do emphasize on becoming the best version of yourself and etc

#15

All alcoholics are solitary people. Do you know what you get when you get a horse thief sober?
A sober horse thief!

Drinking was but a symptom of our problem. We have to get down to causes and conditions.

Nobody I know, that has truly worked the program the way it was intended to be worked, walked away feeling disappointed.

My father quit drinking without the program of AA, too.

He hasn't had a drink for over 28 years. And he's just as miserable as he was before he quit. It's called un-treated alcoholism.

I've known a few people through the years who weren't comfortable with AA and wanted to try an alternate path. I don't know what happened to most of them, but I do know at least three of them that eventually made it back because they said whatever they tried wasn't working.

Actually, now that I think about it, there was one girl who decided AA wasn't for her. I couldn't believe the day I heard that she had taken her own life. Completely avoidable!

The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous transform our lives, and the obsession to drink is removed.

Just my view. That and $3 will buy you a cup of coffee.

1 Like
#16

I understand the whole not being religious and having that being a deciding factor in wanting or not wanting to be involved in AA/NA but no where and I repeat NO WHERE does it say you have to believe in God or even be religious in AA/NA and if any group of that nature shoves it down your throat then they are not worth a darn anyways. It says "Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity" not came to believe that God could restore our sanity. Having a "Higher Power" could literally mean ANY power greater than ourselves. Some examples being nature, the universe, humanity, mathematics, science, consciousness. Think of it as a force that exerted some kind of influence on your life and that was also completely out of your control. The reason for all the "religious" talk in the book is because it was founded by a Christian. But even him and the people that put together the first edition of the book understood that they were not going to be able to get their word and the principles of the book through to everyone solely using "religion" and that's why things are loosely worded the way they are. And in me saying this in no way am I suggesting that you go back to AA/NA due to maybe this being the first time you heard it explained to this way but maybe, and just maybe someone else might see your original post and go to the comments because they were or are feeling the same way only to find out that it doesn't have to be exactly like that and in turn it may just save someone or many people's lives by knowing this. More power to you if you can do it without AA/NA but I noticed what another person said above about their father getting clean and had been clean for a very long time without AA but is still just as miserable as before he got clean because that is the case with so many people that are "dry drunks". They are flat out miserable and a overwhelming majority of them eventually turn back to drugs or alcohol or take their own life and that is an unfortunate reality of our disease. Anyways, so happy to hear that some of you in the comments section have been able to get clean and stay clean at this time but also hope this reaches someone who may be undecided on whether or not to pursue AA/NA due to the whole "God" thing. Much love to you all! I sincerely wish you the best on your journeys.

1 Like
#17

I attend AA and NA meetings multiple times a week and work in the recovery field.

That being said Bryce, congratulations on your continued sobriety and success in your recovery.

For people who would try to convince you that the way you are working your recovery is somehow wrong or destined to fail because it is not the program that they are working may not be working their program as well as they think they are.

There are INFINITE pathways to recovery, success and happiness and there should be no requirement for them to be similar. As a matter of fact, each person's definitions of recovery, success and happiness will all be uniquely their own. So why should I spend any amount of my time trying to get your definitions to match up to mine when I can simply say, again Bryce, congratulations!!

2 Likes
#18

I’m not quite sure why it’s necessary to highlight that you’ve been able to remain sober without AA, but congratulations on your 3 years. For others who are considering their options/paths to sobriety, AA is not a religion. It’s a suggested spiritual program of recovery. Its literally learning to live your best life and just doing the next “right” thing. It’s not rocket science and in my own experience, I’ve seen a lot of people complicate or misunderstand the whole concept of AA. Whatever works for you, keep doing it. I’ll continue going to my meetings, hanging out with my sober peers, work with a sponsor and the steps, and be of service to others wanting sobriety. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

#19

Congrats on the 3 yrs. Keep achieving the goals.

#20

I’m also not in AA but still newly sober and I’m worried if I’m not attending meetings, have a sponsor and follow the steps that somehow I won’t make it. It seems like most everything is about taking things one day at a time and all that but what other things help you stay sober? I have these apps and a couple people as friends from rehab. My family and friends are supportive but there isn’t anything I’m doing every day to stay sober. Does there have to be something? If so, what are some of the things that have helped other people in our SME position?

#21

I like what you said Brandon. My question is, do you think people who don’t follow AA are more likely to be miserable and white knuckle their way through sobriety? If you didn’t say that, I apologize but I really am open and still learning. I don’t want to just be abstinent, I want to be happy and fulfilled in my sobriety. I thought maybe positive thoughts and helping others was a way to start and I’m doing these things but I’m sure there are more ways to make sure we succeed and do so in a way that allows us to be better than great. Thoughts? Ideas?