I’m not a believer in “God” and this seems to be one of my biggest issues when attending meetings or getting advice from people that have gotten sober. I do of course know sober people that also do not believe in God. Just seems like I’m missing out on something though. Wish I could establish some sense of a “higher power”. Who else vibes with this?
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I really struggle with this as well. It feels like AA is preying on vulnerable people with the 12 step program. Wanting to meet more people who feel the same way in regards to being sober without turning to faith to do it.
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I struggled with it for a long wh time. I just kept showing up and eventually my higher power found me.
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Me too, I belong to a group called secular and sober, AA for atheists. Being in California this is probably more common than other states - anyway, I ended up finding a higher power: Mother Nature and now I’m not bothered by it anymore - I’m just sober and let others do what they need to do.
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Same here. As an atheist I don't worry with the higher power stuff. My higher power is me when I'm sober and doing what I'm supposed to do, the best version of myself.
There are lots of groups. Look up Freethinkers AA online, or AA Agnostica or sober she devils. You're in Florida where all the water is holy water so ther maybe not be any secular groups near you. But there might be..
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The Sober She Devils sounds great! Their Meeting times are tough for me but I’ll earmark them. Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
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Yes, a common issue. I suggest you read the chapter we agnostics in the AA big book. Also the 12&12.
We are not required to believe in anything as stated in the 12&12. But some of us “came to believe” over time. Others don’t. Bottom line is just don’t drink one day at a time and life gets better.
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Perhaps a different perspective may help. 
Do you believe that there something; anything that is greater than you? You can make whatever you want your Higher Power. The point is to become humble, shedding yourself of your ego as you recover one day at a time. 
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I feel my higher power when I'm in Nature. In AA you only have to believe there is something bigger than yourself. I felt true freedom when I realized I don't have to define my higher power.
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If you don't have to define your higher power, why bother? It gives you nothing but a placebo effect, and maybe that's enough for some people, which is totally fine. But when people tell me "it could be any anything", I think, "why bother ?". And im not using things like "Good Orderly Direction" simply to appease the god lovers. Society as a whole needs to stop catering to them. I respect AA. The people I've met in AA are a lifeline. I continue to go to meetings almost every day. In active addiction, I needed help to get out. Once out, everything else is up to me to maintain. "Giving it to a higher power" is simply shifting accountability, like blaming the dog when you fart. At least the dog is real. Unless you're my Nana who hasn't had a dog in years but still puts food out for it.
Anyway, don't worry about the higher power stuff. Go to meetings, make friends, help other people. Keep it simple. If you feel like you're missing out because everyone else has a böner over their higher power, look up Michael Shermers talk on why people believe ridiculous things.
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You can make anything your higher power, the group, your sponsor’s higher power, your unconscious, or whatever you want. And you can change it anytime you wish. Even Monday 
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Although I've found a more substantial / certain higher power in my 10 months, I used to think of Karma or the idea of consequences to our actions as my higher power. Do good, good will come to you. Be unkind, don't be surprised if life gives you trials and tribulations. I think of it as an energy that maintains some kind of status quo. Its something that you can tap into and ask for help or to guide you when you're presented with a difficult decision.
I read your post about loneliness and boredom. Thinking about this, that there is more to life than the cells, molecules and atoms floating around in various arrangements, might help you with that and give you some peace.
I'm single and all of my friends are married / have kids. I get bummed sometimes, but I find comfort in my higher power, being grateful and knowing that regardless of how I feel right now, I'm making myself a better and sexier person. All of those things that I'm missing right now will come and then some.
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Anything can be your higher power. That feeling you have when you’re leaving a good meeting comes from somewhere. I knew something greater than myself was at work!!
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I told my sponsor that he was my higher power, he's an old timer, and he cringed hahaha
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That’s better than one guy made his HP a parking meter, I suppose. I suggested just borrowing his HP but if it’s ok with you that’s all that matters.
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This is all very helpful thanks everyone! Taylor I will look into that book! And Omar I like the idea of karma/consequences.
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I felt that way until I found the secular groups. And really all that comes down to is building a sober network. I have friends that I can go to the movies with, dinner, camping, whatever.
The monotone, hand holding "our father", no thanks.
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My higher power is the energy of the universe pulling me in the right direction and I never interrupt this flow of energy by controlling anything
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That's an old school AA thing here in Cleveland. I surf up in Cape Cod alot so I hit meetings there and along the way (Ithaca, rochester) and they don't do that but end the meeting with the serenity prayer.
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Recovery is different for everyone. My “higher power” is the adult type 2 onset diabetis 
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