AA isn’t what you think it is

Recovery
#1

I just want to say, I’ve gone to a few AA meetings in the past and thought I had it all figured out… I thought they were a little too heavy on the whole “God” thing, and a little self righteous. But I gave it another try (about my 10th meeting in however many years) and even started reading the big book, and in there it says not to be freaked out by the whole “God” thing and that they just mean some sort of higher power and whatever you want that to be. Nobodies preachy at all and everyone let’s you do you’re own thing if you want you. And they’re super into mediation as it’s part of the program. It’s not some Christian converting organization- it’s a spiritual organization that is super inclusive and accepting to all beliefs! Its not about some big beard man in the sky or whatever. (Unless that’s what you believe!) So now I got myself a sponsor and am starting the 12 steps my 4th time getting sober and I hope I have a spiritual awakening cause that sounds awesome. And there are also meeting groups for agnostics. This is for all of the AA skeptics out there.

-an AA skeptic

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#2

So true. Good for you. I’m mostly NA which is basically the same with a little less of that religiousy stuff. Yet, you are 100% right. It’s to each their own the concept of a power other than themselves. Gotta have something watching our backs 24/7. Keep it going. Doing awesome.

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#3

I’m so glad you read the book and discovered that, I was also hesitant of AA for the same reason but my experience has been exactly like yours. Go get those steps, they saved my life.

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#4

Go to secular AA meetings. I go to mostly agnostic AA here in Cleveland. Also, look up the satanic temple sober faction zoom meetings. They are 100% god free.

I've been to over 200 meetings in the last 8 months. I am an atheist, not agnostic, and I struggled with the god stuff at first too, and still do occasionally when people get pushy with it.

Look up the AA Freethinkers meetings online, another good AA group that is recovery only without the filler.

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#6

Lauren, it’s great to hear that you have decided to work the program. It is beyond anything that I ever thought when I arrived in AA. Hold on to your hat, it’s quite a ride. I personally am forever grateful for AA and this way of life.

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#7

I don't and won't do AA on a regular basis, my 28 day rehab stint was a mixture of AA and Lifering...

However, I usually go for my annual anniversary at the hospital rehab I was in.

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#8

I like AA because the Big Book talks to me. Even though it was published in 1939, an alcoholic is an alcoholic. I would challenge anyone to just read the first 20 pages and see if it makes sense. It even addresses the God thing.

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#9

Lauren you have already demonstrated that you have an open minded attitude towards AA. And it doesn’t cost a ton of money!!! It helped save my life and until I got the spiritual not religious viewpoint I did struggle. It’s amazing and I also like you try to figure it out, but I’m doing so less and becoming more involved in the affective benefits as opposed to the intellectual understanding of it. Time does take time but it’s a safe investment of time and emotion.

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#10

AA, my sponsor and working the 12 steps was better than any therpy I've ever wasted my money on :blush: and I look forward to doing it all again!

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#11

Recovery isn't a one size fits all disease. If AA works, great! If it's not for you, hopefully you find something that is for you. I went into rehab and read the big book, went to meetings 3-4 times/week both na and aa. I also read the road to welbriety and did a lot of work with smart recovery. I took bits from each that i like and apply that. The more tools you have to fight this disease the better.

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#12

Congratulations man. Stick with it. On pg 45 2nd paragraph it states, “The books main objective is to connect us to a power greater than ourselves which will solve our problems.” Then next sentence says it means throughout the book God we will talk about God. The book was written in 1935 by an alcoholic Bill Wilson and the book is still helping people get sober today. Save my life connected me to God he did for me what I couldn’t do for myself keep up the good work man

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