However something works to get sober. That’s the important thing. For me, it was cold turkey and calls every two weeks for my first six months from my uncle who went cold turkey and who remains sober to this day since 1977. I’ve been sober for 12+ years and I guess my point is, is that different programs work for different people.
This is true, no one method has a monopoly. I’m happy your sober!!
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The religious part of AA gives me hives. The fellowship of AA relieves the hives.
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Thanks Brian. I appreciate it! Good on you, too!
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Pretty toxic reply bro, I’m here to help people the best I can and be a good person, I specifically ask in my post for constructive non program bashing comments, you broke my boundary and I’ve blocked you.
I have attended a bunch of meetings and my only issue is I really have a hard time with the whole religious aspect and relating to it on all levels. Other than that I think it is great especially the level of support from other attendees.
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I still have to overlook some of the religious stuff in meetings. I get it
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I love all the 12 Step help that’s available to me. It has help me so much . Remember that we deal with many illnesses that prevents recovery. I glad to be added here. Anything to not Drink or use.
I agree, the steps have changed my life and how I present myself to the world. I’m also a proud member of ACA where I’ve felt with childhood trauma that definitely had a be part of me becoming addicted to alcohol. Great insight, thanks
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If AA works and it does for me stick with it. In AA we say. Take what is said that is helpful and leave the rest. That applies to just about anything.
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Yeeessss!! Me too!! 
so agree!
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I still feel the same way at times, as I became more comfortable with my knowledge of the big book not only do I know it’s not a part of the program to be religious in meetings, I have the knowledge how to call people out on over religious rants. It is the experienced members responsibility to keep the traditions intact. I understand that and have seen that personally
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And nor should you be but the new comers should be in the middle of the heard protected by our well written, simple traditions. My suggestion is to go if you choose and cling in to the parts you love and find a group that hold the line of the program. There will always be pushy people, but they are just trying to help and live you in their own way
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Being from a small town, there are less than 5 sober women here. I was frustrated because everyone works a “program” based on their opinions instead of from the book. Meetings frequently center on the problem instead of the solution and God is rarely mentioned. After going back out, I heard a speaker on YouTube that inspired me and found out he was speaking 2 hours away the next night. I met my sponsor at that convention, and she embodies everything about this program. As a true blue alcoholic, I appreciate the singleness of purpose because I cannot relate to drug use. Those shares are better left for conversations outside a meeting.
I agree wholeheartedly, if the program isn’t being followed it’s not healthy to be there. I’m sorry you had that experience. I’m glad you found a healthy resource, good going!!
AA is not religious…read We Agnostics
Alcohol is a drug.
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I was not sold on AA meetings, when I checked in to rehab. I told my counselor that I just wanted to get the tools to help me. He looked at me and said "so you are better than anyone else"?!
Boy! Did that light a fire in me, no I am not, I was not raised to ever think I was!
AA meetings were mandatory to attend every night. I sat and did a lot of listening for 2 weeks or so. Then something changed I my hard head. I was only planning on being there for 30-45 days, well 4 months later I completed the entire program, chaired several meetings and have since been 11 months sober as of today 12/26
I agree take what you can use, I always said what ever YOUR higher power is than use it! The other saying I came up with, is you can't build a set of stairs from the top down!
That counselor that told me that, is now one of my closest friends and he himself is a recovering addict duel addiction.
He has a recovery creed and one of the lines is
"My recovery and I know that what matters in this war is not the books we read, how loud we pray or how many meetings we sit through. It's the work we do, because I know my addiction is trying to kill me, everyday. We will kill it first!"
Brother, that’s an amazing testimony. A lot of people out there could benefit from your response to this post. Thanks for sharing
Anytime, sorry it was long winded, but I am very passionate about my sobriety and recovery. If you want to ask, I will tell you about me, not what I think you should do!!
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