I find it very hard to explain to people that the 12 step programme is not about whether or not there is a God. It's about making the changes necessary in myself for me to live not only without substances, but to live with the consequences of living without substances. The training of the malformed ego is so reminiscent of taoist and buddhist monks, hindu brahmin, shaman, self-esteem enhancement - just everything that is
good about humanity.
For anyone that's interested, I found Philip Z's book "A Skeptics Guide to the 12 Steps" to be a hugely respectful chronicle of one man's very open and honest journey in the programme.
I believe the "take what you want and leave the rest" aspect of AA/NA to be the programs strongest appeal. The 12 Steps are an archtypal spiritual program. When I removed from my mind's eye organized religion's concept of god I was ever so able to move on and change my life for the better, inside and out.
Great stuff. And congrats from me too, Blake.