Alternatives to NA

[addie]

There seem to be a few of us who down want to go to NA because of the religious aspect of it. Does anyone know of something similar that doesn't use this?

[ouch]

yeah, if anyone knows of any groups that don't incorporate religion into the recovery process i would totally be interested, too. thanks for posting this, addie.

[Dan]

Addie, there is absolutely nothing religious about NA or AA. I suspect you are refering to the concept of a higher power. All that means is that you can't stop using alone. A power greater than myself restored me to sanity. These fellowships are helping this addict reclaim his life. No god, no master. Give yourself a chance. There are other avenues aside NA. None quite as simple though.

DD

[Moontime]

Thank god NA is a spirtual fellowship and not a religious one. That would've scared me right out the door.

[addie]

Oh ok, I read something (the 12 steps i think) and it said specifically God, but that have been someone's own interpretation. I will give them a try and see how it is. Thanks.

[Gooch]

"God as we understood him"

the only suggestion in NA about choosing a higher power is that it be loving and forgiving.

[mackat]

addie
I am a zen/prayerfulagnostic who has 8 yrs clean time in NA.
I know atheists w/ long clean time in NA.
If the higher power issue is the only thing standing tween you and NA/AA, i recommend Mel Ash's "Zen and Recovery" but i gotta tell you that in hindsight, the fear of spirituality was just one more way my disease kept me f***ed up.
In the end, like an ancient poet says:" its all about loving and not loving"
Mackat

[Alice Wonder]

addie- don't be scared away- i am not christian i am practice buddhism. i go to NA and AA. yes you will run into christians who work the steps, you will run into christians in everyday life. the difference is that spirituality does come up as part of discussion sometimes.
the steps and the unity of the program works. what you believe is your business. don't let anyone tell you any different.

[dotcom]

Might I just add that Christianity is not the only religion people "run into". Catholics, budhists and athiests can be just as annoying (for lack of a better word). Personally, I believe in an HP, but can understand that it is a deterrent.
In the beginning of my clean time an HP was the last thing on my "wanting to hear about" list. And many times even now, it is still high on that list. For some reason, Christians get singled out a lot. Not every Christian is a zealot (for lack of a better word). Don't let it all discourage you or confuse you. HAHA, we are all equally confused. Just because people know verses, quotes, facts, or use big words doesn't mean s***. It always gets me with NA about the quotes and debates. But, there is some good in NA and it is fun to joke about the stuff I do not get as long as I get something out of it for ME. I'm an addict and thank whoever I don't have to have a masters degree or be knowledgable in any sort of literature to join NA. I went to NA since the beginning of my drug use and many people extended their help to me (a confused junkie). And now I go when I feel like it, and if I don't feel like it I don't go. Just being around other addicts is sometimes the best remedy (all literature, HP's aside). And if you go and don't want to get into all that, just tell them! I may be a little off with that, but I just say politely, "I really do not want to hear about that". Because when I am there I am there to not use for that time and hearing some of what people say just really makes it worse. So, as you can tell, Im no NA super member, I just get what I want to get out of it and leave the rest behind. Hope I have helped!

Hugs,

dot

[Alice Wonder]

(((Dot))) what I said was not meant to offend anyone. I am sorry if you take issue with what I said. I meant no harm only encouragement. I honestly was not in any way trying to single out Christians. It is just that AA does have some Christian ties. I figured that is what she was speaking of along with the God thing. Maybe I was wrong. I have hit much resistance in tying to encourage people struggling to go to meetings. It seems to be a line of defense when I offer to support someone to an NA or AA meeting. I have been told more than once that "they just can't get around the Christian/Jesus thing!" ughhhhghhh!!!! My experience has been that people are afraid it is like church etc. and if you have ever accompanied someone to a church that likes to meet new members... it can add to the anxiety. So that is where I was coming from.
Spirituality and Religion does tend to come up when people share at meetings.
Like I said at the end of my post. The steps and the unity works. What you believe is your business. I don't find Christians, Catholics, Buddhists, or Atheists annoying I find people who are close minded or denegrate another persons belief system annoying.
I enjoy your posts Dot and get a lot of insight from them. So once again my apologies if you were offended in any way. love-alice

From our own help index here,

12 Step Alternatives

[godsonmyside]

you choose your understanding of a god, good ordially direction, the fellowship as a whole, whatever it takes. there is not religion affiliated with na. having your own understanding is very important to accept na,aa into your lives. if you are dealing with this ask more about it, this is always a hard subject, when you dont understand it.

[fuster]

Originally Posted by mackat

i gotta tell you that in hindsight, the fear of spirituality was just one more way my disease kept me f***ed up.
Mackat

Right on. If you are serious about being sober, not merely "not using today", you will be willing to do whatever it takes to stay in recovery day after day, and find happiness and the freedom from worrying that many of us, myself included, have found. You have to be willing to follow suggestions of others, not just do what you like.

Do not get hung up on the spirituality of the 12 Step programs. Find meetings, whether they are NA, AA or CA, that you like. Each one is different with a different atmosphere and chemistry.

Give the entire 12 Step program a try, give it a chance to work, and if, after trying it sincerely for a year or two, you feel you want your misery back, it will be cheerfully refunded.

[2stop]

I had less misery when I stopped believing that NA was my ONLY option. I think it is wonderful for those it helps, but it doesn't work for everyone and it is no slam to the 12 step program. It is an individuals choice. I think it is irresponsible to tell someone they will be miserable if they leave NA or AA. Many many people beat their addiction without it. It's not an us vs them issue. It's a choice just like everything else in our life.

[splendra]

you might want to consider that you all ready have had one HP: your drug of choice.

[2stop]

Ain't that the truth!!!!!!

[fuster]

Originally Posted by 2stop

Many many people beat their addiction without it.

I'd like to see your statistical source for that statement in terms of "many many".

You missed the point anyway. Before you say you don't belong or it does not help you, you have to actually use what it provides, not just say you went to some meetings and didn't put in the work it asks you to do.

But again I ask for your statistical source for saying a ton of folks actually enter not just abstinence but real recovery by avoiding 12 Step support group attendance.

[Dan]

Fuster, I sincerely wonder what statistical sources would prove or not prove. One can spin numbers to reflect anything. I know this for sure though. Some people do recover without NA. One, a hundred, a thousand, does it really matter?

[Dan]

You edited your post before I could post mine. I will add a question then. Do you make it a habit of taking the inventory of another person so freely? I've seen another post by you recently that prompts me to ask you, with respect.

[dotcom]

fuster,

back off from 2stop. you are being rude and an ass. people recover with or without NA/12 step and it is not a requirement to experience NA to the fullest to have a positive/negative experience. i tasted a tiny piece of ham, and i hate ham. i tasted a piece of broccoli and i liked it. doesnt mean im going to eat the whole bushel of steamed broccoli. there is no point to make here. especially since this is a substance abuse forum. you should be ashamed of yourself! i am steeming mad right now, lucky for you i dont see you at a meeting. why dont you go to your 12 step and leave the rest of us be. if we go, we go. if we dont, it doesnt mean you are superior to us or you have found some superior fountain of recovery. i dont mean this to be mean, but i think you should back off. you make me uncomfortable by your superior statements. im an addict, not a friggin recovery sponge. i get my recovery, but first and formost im an addict. i didnt clean up to debate which program is best. man... youd really get an earful from me at a meeting. im not perfect, but ill always back the underdog because the underdog has a lot to bring to the table. a different perspective that has a lot of potential. i have learned a lot from 2stop and i find your comments disgusting.

rock on,

dot

[Dan]

fuster, dot's got a point.

[fuster]

Dan, some people do recover without using 12 Step programs. God bless them. Many more do not recover by trying to do it their way. No one is saying they have to do anything, but do not trash it until you USE it. How is that taking another's inventory?

Dot, your analogy is inaccurate. Taking what you say, then, you would turn the heater and the radio on, but not test drive, a car to decide whether to purchase it. If the radio had the wrong music playing you would say the car sucked. I am not the one spinning numbers, I asked a straighforward question.


Dot, you seem to be the one on the high horse. Anyone can post their opinion on the question or reply to someone else. If you are going to accuse one of being arrogant, review your own text before you push the "submit reply" button. Can you say "hypocrite"? As far as attending a meeting, you are the one who conceals where you live, or attend meetings. I would be happy to go to a meeting with anyone, regardless of whether they are upset at me or not. I think any differences are better ironed out in a face to face, not on the ethernet.

You find it easy to push the "send" button and call me an ass, but do it face to face or leave the name calling off this site. Review the rules you agreed to when you joined this forum.

[dotcom]

oh put a sock in it fuster... and i still call you an ass. an ass is merely an animal, and we are all animals of sorts. breathing, eating, pooping. now, go to your sock drawer and proceed to put the left sock in your mouth. by your statement about meeting in person, you scare me. and no, i would not want to meet you in person. i have no desire to further discuss anything with you. if i ran into you in a meeting then id give you a piece of my mind. and then id put a sock in your mouth, haha.

[Dan]

No one is saying they have to do anything, but do not trash it until you USE it. How is that taking another's inventory?

Inasmuch as it's not respecting her choice. I've looked at the thread and I see absolutely no NA bashing. So when you use the word trash, I assume you mean discarding without completely experiencing the benefits.
Guess what fuster? It's her choice.

[fuster]

Originally Posted by dotcom

oh put a sock in it fuster... and i still call you an ass. an ass is merely an animal, and we are all animals of sorts. breathing, eating, pooping. now, go to your sock drawer and proceed to put the left sock in your mouth. by your statement about meeting in person, you scare me. and no, i would not want to meet you in person. i have no desire to further discuss anything with you. if i ran into you in a meeting then id give you a piece of my mind. and then id put a sock in your mouth, haha.

Hard for me to reply to nothing but hot air in diapers.