I don’t believe AA/NA are technically religious programs, but rather spiritual programs.
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Agreed
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Have you tried Smart recovery?
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Just going to AA meetings wasn't working for me. all I did was continue the vicious cycle.i enrolled into a DBT class to learn more about myself. drinking was my go to way to cope with life. the DBT program not only helped me with addictions but it has helped me become a better person.
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Aa 35 years.
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Smart Recovery
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Refuge Recovery is a program rooted in Buddhist philosophy. You might also consider that religious but thought I’d suggest it as an alternative option.
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Thank you all for commenting on what’s worked for you. I am in early recovering and just trying to find alternatives to AA/NA. I have tried it numerous times and it’s just not hitting. It’s not for me at this time in my life. I need more learning strategies and ways to cope with life other than what is being said in those meetings. That’s all. Just trying to find what clicks and works for me at this time. So i appreciate everyone’s views on this subject. thank you! 
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The thing about AA is the ONLY requirement is a desire to stop drinking.
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I have found that the more tools in your tool box the better. You don’t have to limit yourself to just one program or way. I’m a recovery sponge. If I like something I hear from another program, I incorporate it into my recovery. Keep at it:pray:
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I won't beat around the bush. I have a funny relationship with AA. I burned my first big book & ripped apart my second, but finally the third one I recieved 'stuck,' though I no longer read it much. I read a lot of books in trauma and mental health now, healing roots that were established before my drinking patterns. AA made me drink harder for awhile, bc I was in denial that I had AUD for at least a decade... but I also attribute it greatly to my success, too. As someone dually diagnosed, (child & adult trauma survivor + AUD) and someone with a lot of rural, fervent TX christian ideology in my childhood, I drank angry at "God" & was confused about religion v spirituality for a long time! AA was very there for me in the first 3 years because I was so RAW. I'm an agnostic. Idk about you, but no one wanted anything to do with me at the end of my drinking career...so AA people just accepted me as I was. At least I could sit in a meeting miserably. And not drink. Plus, I met people outside of the usual Christian faith in AA who tried to help me get through the initial steps of acceptance, and that was crucial. AA at least helped me accept that I had AUD. Wonderful people there. Steps 1-4 were helpful, until my CPTSD intersected & the pressure to be too perfect or too hard on myself was mentally...too much. And here's the other thing: sponsors would drop me once I got truly honest in step 4: I use CBD with my medcard for my CPTSD as legally prescribed by doctors in CO...instead of harmful pharmaceuticals. I had sponsors tell me I wasn't really sober in AA because I believe in cannabinoid therapies, though the only requirement is to stop drinking alcohol (and I have not been triggered to drink or had a single drop since Nov 2016). So...AA can get messy because humans are humans helping humans. But...each individual must find their way. So, my advice: try it all. Take what you need to stop drinking and leave the rest. Work with many tools...AA, other recovery groups, your doctors & therapists....for me, CBD and therapy (ACT, CBT, and DBT) became a priority as well as stabilizing my sleep/nutrition. I also went back to school to complete my bachelor's degree as an adult, and I was successful. I actually got on this App because I am experiencing loss and feeling like the "dry drunk" I always heard about at AA, saw crying, but then I couldn't understand how they were still so sad when they had long term sobriety in meetings... I am also curious about other recovery groups too because I feel at 5 and 1/2 years now, I need a sobriety community again but am unsure how I'd feel going back into AA because the last chip I picked up was year 3, but I've stayed sober. I think I get hung up in the structure, I get hung up in what other people think of me in AA. So that part is hard. But your sobriety is yours. Always. Yours to protect. Thanks for posting this I hope other people suggest things. I might try a Smart recovery meeting or also, try the "we agnostics" or "emotional sobriety" closed Meetings at Aa. They tend to be more open minded. Just being honest. You got this.
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Buddhist philosophy and mindfulness and yoga have been really important in year 4 and 5 for me...thank you for this
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I love how she clarified multiple times in her post and even commented AA wasn't what she needed to hear about or be convinced of. What's even better is the number of comments pushing AA and how it's not religious and that she should keep attending. It was nice of you to try and call those people out for ignoring her and what she was asking but what did you really expect?
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Tempest got me!
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AA is based on steps and principles that are spiritual (not religious) in nature and are suggested as a program for recovery. It is not the only way, but it works. Recovery is a journey, not a destination. AA allows us to formulate our own concept of a Higher Power to help guide us along the way. Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. This is not an “I” program, this is a “we” program. We are here to help. We are here to share our experience, strength and hope with you and others who still suffer from the disease of addiction!
Some people have success with The Sinclair Method
Daybreak is an excellent program
2 books I recommend if you haven’t read. “The Unexpected Joy of being sober” this one particularly help me in early recovery not feel so alone. And “naked mind” this one really broke down things for me and there is a bunch of groups who follow/surround this book and I found that helpful. As well as smart recovery as AA/NA weren’t for me for the same reasons.
AA is not for everyone, just you speaking, commenting, participating on this app is more than some do in AA. Not hating on AA I go, but I get it sometimes some are just filled by the courts. Some people just need to talk to someone, anyone, feel human and be listened to. Your life and sobriety are in your hands, there's so many programs. It's not a one size fits all. I hope you find what your looking for.
12 steps wasn’t for me either, and I gave it a fair shot, I found a recovery group at a local treatment center, we do read daily reflections but it’s more like group therapy than a typical meeting. Much smaller and more of a conversation and I really enjoy it. Maybe you can find something like that in your area? The center I go to has a lot of groups, from recovery to grief and everything in between, it’s been great for me