Help with the 12 steps for AA/NA

[ColdSweat]

Hey guys. Been sober 5 days, but really want to start doing more... how do I do the 12 Steps for AA/NA if I truly don't believe in any form of "God" or "higher power"? Will it not work for me or what? Please help. :/

[desertdonna]

Hi Coldsweat,

If you check out the Secular Forums area there are many good threads regarding non-traditional 12 step approaches. Also, there are some good and thoughtful folks there.

Maybe even start a thread there and you'll get lots of good responses. I always peruse those forums for nuggets of wisdom and insight.

Good luck!

Donna

[ANGELINA243]

Do you believe that the NA/AA group could help you? When I first started going to meetings--the group itself was my Higher Power. I just knew that I wasn't doing a very good job of running my life--especially where my addiction was concerned. They were sober--I wasn't. Plus the literature clearly states that the group itself can be your HP if you choose it to be. The word "GOD" can also stand for "Group of Drunks" (peferably those which are sober) or another fave saying--"Good Orderly Direction" (which fit the group itself perfectly--in my particular case).

[nandm]

I am not what I would consider to be a religious person but have found the program of AA to work well for me. It did take learning the difference between spirituality and religion. Please do check out the secular 12 step forum I believe you might find some useful information there. You can do the 12 steps without utilizing the conventional form of God. I utilize a Higher Power/Universal energy for the Power greater than myself and that has worked for me. A lot of people utilize meditation.

I hope this helps

[zendust]

Meditation is most helpful to recover. I am an atheist and attend one or two AA meetings a week. It can be done.

[reginaterrae]

I didn't believe in God when I first came in ... now God is the center and the direction and the joy of my life. You may be able to get sober without believing in God, as others have posted, but if you are willing to come to believe, you could try this (this is what I was told and it worked for me):

Pray -- something like, "If you exist, God, please make me believe." I actually said something like "I feel like an idiot doing this, because I don't believe in God, but they said I would be happier if I did believe, so I'm willing to believe, so God, if you exist, please show yourself to me in a way that I can't miss or deny. Whack me over the head with it......" And so He did, and so I came to believe. I can't describe to you how He showed Himself to me, of course ... He touched me, moved inside me, in a way that was unmistakable and undeniable. It's pretty fabulous. That was about 22 years ago, and it is so real I've never doubted it since. Plus which, I don't want to doubt it, because anyway it works for me. I'm not in Hell any more!

In the meantime, I totally understand you wanting to do something more to keep tight hold of your 5 days sobriety and keep from sliding back down. The steps are a process, though, and some of them are almost passive -- like "came to believe" and "became willing". Reinforcing our powerlessness ... it won't be by your efforts that you stay sober, but by the grace of God. That said, there are some really good things for a beginner to do, first and foremost being 90 meetings in 90 days. Then when you're not in meetings, any chance you get you can be reading the Big Book and other AA literature, and hanging out on this forum. If you haven't got a copy yet, google AA Big Book, the whole text is available on line.

You may feel like you are getting addicted to the program, 90 in 90, yikes! LOL -- that's OK! Think of it as a detox aid, to help you to detox mentally. Things will even out in good time.

Meanwhile I'll lend you my Higher Power until you discover one of your own ... you'll be in my prayers.

Regina Terrae

[beingjenagain]

there is some song about it...you gotta believe in something or you'll fall for anything.
if you want to be sober than you must have a HP somewhere. if you didn't what would be the point. I'm not really religious but find what i need amoung the rooms and the common problems we share no matter who we are. we may have all come from different pasts but we are all trying to get to the same place...a sober good life!

[zendust]

ColdSweat, please PM me if you have any questions about how one can stay sober a day at a time, attend meetings and be an atheist.

[ananda]

I too work the 12 steps and attend AA without the belief in god. It works. You can pm me as well if you like. The secular 12 step forum can be helpful as well.

When the BB says we can stay sober regardless of anyone...that includes the people in AA who think it can't be done without a god. The 12 steps have led me to understand what I do and don't believe and are enabling me to stay sober and live a life that reflects my belief system.

Many people believe in god and there is nothing wrong with that. They live a life sober that reflects that belief and add to my life and help me on a daily basis by sharing thier sobriety.

Please visit the secular 12 step thread!

Thanks for posting.

[ColdSweat]

Wow! Thank you everybody for the overnight support! I went to bed after posting this and got all of your warmth overnight . Thank you to those that suggested the secular forums - I will be popping in there soon :]. And yes, I do think the AA/NA groups/meetings with help me - I just want to physically be with people, for the support, y'know? And talk things out. Between those, you guys, and the support of some people around me (friends, boyfriend, family's in denial...), I'll cling to my now 6 days of sobriety :]. For those of you who asked me to PM them, I definitely will after today, today's just kind of busy, having lunch with the boyfriend & watching When A Man Loves A Woman (very appropriate, right? ha). Thank you guys so much for the input, suggestions, and support. I'll utilize those .

By the way, GOD = Group of Drunks, I like that, ha. But yes, sober drunks.

[laurie6781]

Your ENTHUSIASM is very INSPIRING!!!!!!

I would suggest that FIRST you get a Sponsor.

Then take the word GOD and look at the word this way:

G = Good

O = Orderly

D = Direction

or................................................ .....

G = Group

O = Of

D = Drunks or Druggies

Yes G O D can be the above. I also know many Agnostics and Atheists that are sober for long times and have used the 12 steps to get there.

I have never looked at the word G O D as being referring to a Christian God, but as referring to something MORE POWERFUL than me. The Universe works real well, so does Mother Nature, etc

It took me a long time to find "A God of MY UNDERSTANDING", and a God "As I UNDERSTOOD him/her."

The 12 steps are about us working on us to become a better human being. G O D can be whatever you understand and desire G O D to be.

J M H O

Love and hugs,

[ColdSweat]

WOAH! Sorry it took me so long to reply to this! Got caught up. Thank you so much for the love and support! You're all so helpful and supportive