I need some thoughts on different programs available to us other than AA/NA. This is just MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE so plz don’t come for me… only comment if you have something positive to share. I have been trying to go to meetings and get myself out there and for some reason AA/NA isn’t doing it for me. I’m not religious and i’m having a hard time getting past that whole part … that’s just what it is FOR ME . I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way… Does anyone find another program helpful other than those 2? If so… PLEASE comment and let me know what has been working for you. Plz again… no hate. Just love… What works for one doesn’t always work for another… Just not my jam.
Hi Sarah, here are a few other programs you could check out: The Luckiest Club, Tempest, Sober Faction, Recovery Dharma, Refuge Recovery, Recovery Elevator, Sober Sis, SMART Recovery.
I know there are a few alternatives out there,
The luckiest club
Smart recovery
Recovery dharma
Refuge recovery…
Are a few; but let me point out that the higher power issue that many miss. A higher power is literally anything you acknowledge is bigger than you. The religious aspect is often because we instinctively see higher power as a diety we were raised to see as god. Yes there is a spiritual nature, but it is as a part of our being as a whole. Many say that there are three parts of humans, the mind, the body, and the spirit. Spirit is the part of us that remains, in-spite of how weak or damaged our mind and body become. I am talking about that part that inspires the terminally ill to keep hope and keep fighting. AA seeks to help that part of us grow.
There are secular (nonreligious) AA meetings. They are great. They are in person and online. I am an atheist and I go to them on top of the others.
LifeRing
Hi Sarah,you say you are not religious and that’s understandable,we live in a world that rejects any sense of something bigger than ourselves but at the same time we recognize that we are nothing but dust..we need something beyond our understanding to lift us from our miseries..don’t you agree?..so why no give it a chance?…lots of respect and love for what you are trying to do.
She said no religion. So why keep pushing your god agenda? Something bigger than ourselves does not definitively mean "god". The man in the sky who helps YOU get sober, but allows a bunch of children to be murdered. Your logic is not logical. The group is what's bigger than ourselves. Helping others is bigger than ourselves. If you need a primer on god, please see George Carlin. He will set you free, but until then, don't push your Kool Aid on others if they have already said they don't like the taste.
I don’t believe In a god that is in the Bible. I believe in energies. Nature. I’m very spiritual in that sense. So when I “pray” or meditate, especially using these programs, that’s kind of what I lean towards.
Smart recovery
Those are all good ones! Three Principles is awesome too. (YouTube Sydney Banks)
Sorry Taylor but I'm gonna have to disagree with your last post. 1 reason is the aggressive manner which you adress the community. Being atheist is fine, but it does not allow for aggressive posts. The second is this...there is always a bigger fish. It doesn't matter if you say there is no god. You are in no way all powerful, therefore there is a power higher than you. Keep in mind the community standard is acceptance of all ideologies
Sarah, I'd just like to say this AA/NA is not the be all end all. There are tons of programs. Keep an open mind and try as many as you have to until you find the fit.
I’m a SMART facilitator, I love the program. I also like AA & NA, I find something from each of them. I also use fitness, spirituality, family time, etc. as components of my recovery.
People are passionate about "believing" and that's fine, but being passionate about not believing gets you triggered. Also I never said I am "all powerful" but also, believing in god doesnt mean there IS an all powerful being. Just because it gives you the feels doesn't make it so. If I was being "aggressive" it is beause the guy I was responding to was being pushy with his god, like I mentioned. Is THAT the "standard of acceptance" that you speak of? If somebody doesn't believe then leave it at that. We are here to get sober, not to pick up a religion.
Let's look at the post you so "passionately " disagree with. What you say is someone pushing "sky daddy" is actually a person encouraging the op to be open to explore. in return, this person was met with vitriol from you. Now I'm not saying that atheism is right, nor am I saying any religion is, but there is a common understanding that there more flies attracted to honey than to vinegar. Consider it like this... any discussion on higher power or lack there of is a lot like trying to give someone $10k. If I walk up to you an kindly offer it to you and tell you what steps to take, you will be a lot more likely to take it than if someone else is trying to discredit everything I say with shouting.
If our religious beliefs are so secure in ourselves then any discussion of religion should be peaceful. Vehement passion against other beliefs shows how unstable our own beliefs are in ourselves.
The "more flies attracted with honey than vinegar" is marketing 101.
I don't have "vehement passion" against anyone's beliefs until they don't stop at "no". The OP said "no" regarding religion, and the guy persisted. When someone tells you to get off their porch, then get off their porch, they aren't interested. Persisting isn't helpful or even remotely "positive".
I am done arguing with you on this person's post. Fonzi be with you.
Thank you Aaron for your kind words but the best way to deal with these characters is to just ignore them..to those comments Iam like a rock..I simply don’t care have a blessed day.
All AA meetings are non religious they are recognized as spiritual however celebrate recovery is a 12 step program offered in church's and are faith based.
I hope you find a program u like I hear good things about smart recovery!!
Holy run-on sentence, Batman!