Originally Posted by
herennow 
I have been following the debate about whether or not one must follow a "program" in order to recover.
There is no doubt in my mind that I need to "follow a program" in order to stay sober. When I was a truck driver I had to go for weeks at a time without a day off or chance to get to a meeting. But I made sure that I followed a daily program:
a) Self-appraisal
b) Prayer & Meditation
c) Helping others
These principles can be practiced alone (c requires a pet) or at a meeting but it is much easier to practice in a meeting.