SMART, LifeRing, Refuge and Recovery Dharma are not paid. I’ve done all and like things from all of them. Very intuitive. I grew up in therapy (my mom and all her friends are therapists - my sisters, parents and my children have all had extensive therapy throughout the decades), and I find that the principals and steps of AA don’t provide a ton of new insight/value for me personally. I love the fellowship though!
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I tried AA and yes it was not for me and I've been sober for a little over 2 years. Just because it is helping you does not mean it will help someone else. Your post seems to suggest that you assume people are weak. When in fact going to a recovery meeting is a sign of great strength.
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No, you didn't. But you stated that if someone doesn't follow your preferred program-AA, you assume that they are scared to do the work. Being sober requires daily work no matter the program.
AA is proven to be a great program. So are others. We need to respect other ways to get and stay sober. If AA was was the only way- all other programs would be non-existent.
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Folks who choose alternative-to-AA recovery programs are just people who want to get and stay sober. We’re here on apps like this because of our common goal. I hope you’re willing to rethink your assumption and that’s why you posted it. AA is not my preference, but not because I’m afraid or unwilling to do work. I work hard. Every day. Thanks for being willing to put your “unpopular opinion” out here for open discussion!
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Tempest and The Luckiest Club have a fee, the others do not.
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I attend AA for the fellowship (that’s what AA is, first sentence of preamble). There is a suggested program of recovery. I walked in 6 months clean, I needed the fellowship not the program. It’s not helpful when others judge ‘your program’ if it’s working, keep at it. I’ve been sober 2.5 years and attend AA weekly, but I’m not working the program.
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Smart man
Great conversation guys! I appreciate each and every one of you! 
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I think a lot of of have thought the same as you at different times. I know I have and probably more times than I can think.
You actually brought up a really good subject and unlike Facebook it was civil.
Since I'm practicing rigorous honesty, I need to say that it's comments like this that turned me off of AA for so long. I felt insulted many times by members. This is a very self righteous comment in my opinion. Recovery is a very personal thing. What works for you or I, doesnt necessarily work for someone else. A good friend/therapist of mine took the time to explain the benefits without mentioning religion and turned me on to alternative 12 step programs. Now I've come to realize that 12 step programs are a positive addition to MY personal recovery. Even if you are unable to come around to AA, there are nonsecular versions out there. That said, I have friends with 12+ years of sobriety under their belts and never attended or studied a 12 step program. So please don't look down on put down anyone based on their recovery journey. It's just not okay.
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Congratulations on 76 days! You are a miracle!
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Thank you I appreciate that. I have a great sober support group and a good routine. SMART 12 steps and Wellbriety among other things keep me straight. I'm in it to win it. I hope you are able to bring those who need it into the program. Just remember, it takes compassion and unbias education for a lot of folks. I wish you all the best in your recovery journey and in life in general. Keep up the good work! 
Aa is not the only way to stay sober and have a beautiful life. It's how you look at it as. Some people need the support guidance and approval from someone because they can't do it alone. Then there's those who believe in theirself and that's all they need. Always 2 sides to a story so don't cancel one out because you didn't understand it. Good topic.
I used to look at it as a cult or a sorority clique. There are a some good groups out there though. I got 2 on zoom in different states because the in person I got to are very judgemental and are almost like bible bashers but AA instead..
AA has the idea that you need it to stay sober, so it poofs in the air are we all just fucked? No thanks.
I actually think this is a great post! I’m enjoying the discussion, and I’m happy to see that recovery has finally expanded its horizons after so many years of being stagnant. We are fortunate to have options today. I believe all of these programs can work if you truly work them. OTOH, all them don’t work if you don’t work them. I also believe that regardless off your program, if you stop working it, you are at a much greater risk of relapse. As for AA, if you read up on Bill Wilson’s writings, you will find that he was very open to the idea of other options. It’s a small group of members that misinterpret things and make such statements that AA is the only way. Bill Wilson also is very adamant that AA is a spiritual program not a religious program. I’m not smart enough, and don’t have time to go into all of this, but I’ve read a lot of his additional writings that expanded on the Big Book to further explain many of AA’s concepts. He was very open minded, and he insisted that the only requirement was a desire to stop drinking. Many old timers consider AA as the Bible and should never be amended. Bill Wilson never said this. I believe if he were alive today, he would be appalled at some of this holier than thou sh!t, and would absolutely make changes. It is my understanding that there may be changes coming to the Big Book. It’s a very controversial subject matter, but I do believe it’s time AA, or at least certain members, change their tune so that it can help more people. I’m a grateful member of AA, however, I owe a lot of my growth and recovery to many of the alternatives that have sprung up over the last decade…including Loosid
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There’s things about AA that don’t particularly resonate with me but that doesn’t make the whole thing not awesome. Kinda like there’s things about your significant other your not too crazy about but not enough to kick em to the curb..
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Check out aa history .on line .you will be amazed.aa🐪
It’s been my experience (both personally and now as an addictions counselor) that addiction is complicated, there are often a lot of factors and therefore it only makes sense that recovery is an individual journey as well.
Additionally, recovery groups come in all different brands, vibes, and flavors.
Saying, “I don’t like AA is like saying I don’t like Jesus because of Christian’s”.
The people who bring the message are imperfect and some groups might not be your vibe. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and certainly don’t give up your recovery because you don’t like the coffee at your local meeting.