Originally Posted by
KhmuNation Yes there are good aspects of the 12 step program and many well meaning and well adjusted people. The majority. But, like with all groups and any gathering of people whether than be work or social, there are some extremely toxic people. This is higher in aa and na than, say, the bowls club.
Due to the open table share format the toxic ones often take center stage at meetings and fill them with their poison.
12 step does have an important role and did help me on the road to sobriety. I frequented meetings for the first 18 months of getting clean - much of which I relapsed constantly.
When I did get clean and remain clean I distanced myself and ultimately abandoned it due to toxic members, constantly having to dredge up my past, the higher power thing, my lack of resentments and it was just time for me to fully move on in life
Yes, this is very similar to my experience too. I was a regular meeting attender for my first 12-18 months alcohol free, then I started pulling back. I'm not religious, & I really don't have a problem with faith-based recovery programs, if that's your thing. In the end I was quite comfortably rocking along with an alcohol free life, & increasingly put off by the zealots, thumpers & god-squadders