I was going to a We Agnostics meeting for a while. Another way to look at it is whenever there is talk of a higher spirit or god, think of them as the power that you have manifested inside yourself to remain sober. Your power to change your life.
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I needed something other than me to be a hp. I got myself into this mess. Pretty much anything other than you
I found a nonreligious version of the 12 steps on Reddit a year ago that I really liked.
Step 1: I'm in a mess and over my head.
Step 2: Maybe I don't have all the answers, so I'll ask for help.
Step 3: Decide to pay attention to advice given.
Step 4: Take an honest look at how I've been living my life.
Step 5: Tell someone else about my unhealthy lifestyle and harm to others.
Step 6: Decide to live a healthier, kinder life.
Step 7: Make specific changes toward that goal.
Step 8: List everyone I have hurt.
Step 9: Have the courage to tell them I'm sorry & make amends, except if doing so would cause harm.
Step 10: Keep an eye on myself, alert to old thinking and behaviors.
Step 11: Be aware of the beauty in the world and people.
Step 12: Pass on to others the kindness extended to me.
What it came down to for me was asking fellow addicts for advice on what worked for them, and being willing to keep trying different things until I found what worked for me. For some people that's Gods and religion, but for me my 'higher power' was science, medicine, and other people with experience overcoming addiction.
And you don't need to rely on faith or anyone elses 'higher power' you just need to come to trust that the things that have kept you sober today can keep you sober tomorrow, whether that's prayer, meetings, medicine, service, coffee, exercise, etc.
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Things will change once you decide you want something different. I use AA for the social aspect. They get it, drinking anyway. I don’t do the god thing. Once you stop to look and appreciate the world life improves. The steps are for you to get real with your past and guide you with a new way of thinking moving forward. Don’t be selfish unless it’s about your sobriety. You can’t be the best you if you drink. It’ll kill you. Not worth it. You’ll know you’re where you need to be when you see the signs. Be patient.
Read Russell brands recovery book
Take it all with a grain of salt. My god was a rose crystal crystal when I was first starting. Now, I focus on spirituality rather than a Traditional God.
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Than the big book isn’t for you.
You need to try something else
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i’m big into crystals and tarot. i’m gonna try to focus on that. was just doing a celtic cross reading with a chunk of rose quartz in my hand moments ago
Willingness is a huge part of sobriety. It doesn't matter if you believe in anything or not. Once you have had enough and see you can't control everything or anything.. you get a sponsor, be open minded and willing to go to any lengths to stay clean and sober. God doesn't have to be anything specific.. it's about getting out of your own self. Getting out of your own way so you can grow. Be willing to do whatever it takes to find a better way to live. I never thought sobriety would give me what it has. I really thought I was just going to get clean and sober and find a way to climb out of the hole I dug for myself. Sobriety is more than just putting the bottle down. Don't worry about that tho. Live in today, take suggestions, get a sponsor be willing to just try. What do you have to lose besides the misery. It takes time. Just don't give up.
I look at this discussion like this. We all suit to something. For years we submitted to our addiction. We had it in the place of God. Now we have destroyed that god, and we want to put ourselves in its place? That is a recipe for disaster, because we want to go back to our old ways. We must acknowledge something is stronger than us. If we do not then the relapse cycle waits at the door, because our highest authority says go use.
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Look into the white bison 12 steps - simple and straightforward! In our we agnostic meeting we refer to these a lot when doing our monthly step meeting.