alternative attitudes
alternative attitudes
anyone heard there are AA alternatives?
AA is not the only way, the news is spreading like wildfire, there are many alternatives that have a higher success rate than AA see this page on AA's effectiveness http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html the alternatives are as follows for anyone interested:
Links to AA alternatives
Abstinence based programs[LIST][*]SMART Recovery[*]SOS - Secular Organizations for Sobriety[*]Lifering
So to leave aa is not necessaruily to die or go insane!
Isn't it great that there are increasingly more ways to stay sober, ways that suit everyone, pass it on!
AA is not the only way, the news is spreading like wildfire, there are many alternatives that have a higher success rate than AA see this page on AA's effectiveness http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html the alternatives are as follows for anyone interested:
Links to AA alternatives
Abstinence based programs[LIST][*]SMART Recovery[*]SOS - Secular Organizations for Sobriety[*]Lifering
So to leave aa is not necessaruily to die or go insane!
Isn't it great that there are increasingly more ways to stay sober, ways that suit everyone, pass it on!
Last edited by Peter; 06-11-2006 at 07:21 AM.
There are more programs as well.
Many of the Christian based programs found in churches have great success.
It isn't a one size fits all. The problem I have with the orange report...
It Bashes! raher then accepts the "fact" that people do recover through AA every day. The report is filled with twisted thinking to get the end goal of the writer...to bash AA.
Many of the Christian based programs found in churches have great success.
It isn't a one size fits all. The problem I have with the orange report...
It Bashes! raher then accepts the "fact" that people do recover through AA every day. The report is filled with twisted thinking to get the end goal of the writer...to bash AA.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Here is the link to our long time sticky on this topic..
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ives-info.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ives-info.html
Originally Posted by SundayGirl
anyone heard there are AA alternatives?
AA is not the only way, the news is spreading like wildfire, there are many alternatives that have a higher success rate than AA see this page on AA's effectiveness http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html the alternatives are as follows for anyone interested:
Links to AA alternatives
Abstinence based programs[list][*]SMART Recovery[*]SOS - Secular Organizations for Sobriety[*]Lifering
So to leave aa is not necessaruily to die or go insane!
Isn't it great that there are increasingly more ways to stay sober, ways that suit everyone, pass it on!
AA is not the only way, the news is spreading like wildfire, there are many alternatives that have a higher success rate than AA see this page on AA's effectiveness http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html the alternatives are as follows for anyone interested:
Links to AA alternatives
Abstinence based programs[list][*]SMART Recovery[*]SOS - Secular Organizations for Sobriety[*]Lifering
So to leave aa is not necessaruily to die or go insane!
Isn't it great that there are increasingly more ways to stay sober, ways that suit everyone, pass it on!
There is a story that is almost legendary about the chap who started AA back in my hometown, way back in the 50 somethings. Story has it he sat alone in that room with his BigBook every night for more than a year waiting for another alcoholic to show up.Because of him AA found a niche here and has saved this alcoholics life.
Start a meeting. Never quit.
Start a meeting. Never quit.
alconaut
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Motor City
Posts: 729
I believe there is much truth to Agent's suggestion of natural remission - I'm evidence of that - with respect to those who would have otherwise quit regardless of whether they were in a "program" or not. One thing I did notice he didn't touch upon in this page was the psychological effect of AA (on people who quit while in AA) who would have otherwise quit without the program. There is obviously an influence I would consider conducive and residual, which is different than the mindset of someone who quits by natural remission. That being said, IMO, the mindset of a person who quits while attending AA is not the same as someone who quits on their own. Therefore it is also my opinion that AA can claim credit for those who achieve abstinence while in the program. That would seem to nix his "zero success" analysis. Did I miss something?
I also found Agent's reference to "Jesus-freak Christians" and "gung-ho V.A. guys" as both unnecessary and insulting, being used as a broad generalization of these groups.
Sending a chamois his way.
I also found Agent's reference to "Jesus-freak Christians" and "gung-ho V.A. guys" as both unnecessary and insulting, being used as a broad generalization of these groups.
Sending a chamois his way.
In my opinon, it has nothing to do with what program someone is in. Its the CHOICE of the individual to carry on drinking or not. Ideologies - naturally I suppose - take all the credit. I think people really deep down say 'enough is enough' I am through with drinking.
And then pretty anything they will do will 'keep' them sober. Because they no longer want to drink.
Just my opinion. Thats the way I see my story. If someone says with total aderance that AA saved them, then who am I to say different??
And then pretty anything they will do will 'keep' them sober. Because they no longer want to drink.
Just my opinion. Thats the way I see my story. If someone says with total aderance that AA saved them, then who am I to say different??
alconaut
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Motor City
Posts: 729
Originally Posted by Five
I think people really deep down say 'enough is enough' I am through with drinking.
And then pretty anything they will do will 'keep' them sober. Because they no longer want to drink.
If someone says with total aderance that AA saved them, then who am I to say different??
And then pretty anything they will do will 'keep' them sober. Because they no longer want to drink.
If someone says with total aderance that AA saved them, then who am I to say different??
ETA: Now, don't think that because I validate the notion that the relapse rate of an AA attendee may be higher than that of someone who quits by natural remission means that I give Agent's "zero success" analysis any credence. There are countless AA members who became abstinent while in the program and remained that way until their deaths, whether or not they remained active members.
Originally Posted by bartender129
There are alternatives to AA?
Shocking...
Shocking...
I was surfing the net, desperately searching for an AA alternative, and found the Rational Recovery site, which has been working very well for me. It's not for everybody, but being a science-minded atheist who hates talking in groups...it was the perfect solution.
Michael
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London England
Posts: 291
Five's post and Autumn's response both put in a nutshell the basic theory of recovery. Yes. of course, we make a decision to quit and our future sobriety depends on the foundation stone of that decision. But the decision alone is not enough for a great number of people who need the moral, spiritual and group based support to build on the original decision. AA and a lot of other programmes offer that range of support and that framework that many of us need to build on.
For me personally, the decision to get sober was the turning point. All of my decisions since are informed by that original decision and I do try to rationalise my way through the inevitable temptations and rocky patches. The thing is though that although I am depending on rationality I have used AA and I do use rational recovery's approach to dealing with the addictive voice. I suppose I am building on their framework a kind of custom made sobriety that fits only me.
Michael
For me personally, the decision to get sober was the turning point. All of my decisions since are informed by that original decision and I do try to rationalise my way through the inevitable temptations and rocky patches. The thing is though that although I am depending on rationality I have used AA and I do use rational recovery's approach to dealing with the addictive voice. I suppose I am building on their framework a kind of custom made sobriety that fits only me.
Michael
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: brooklyn, new york
Posts: 1,639
why do some get so hung up on this alternative to AA?
alcohol is a problem for some people
some of these people have found the solution to be AA
others have found another way
now eating, money, relationships, family, work,
probably even crossing the street
is a problem for some people
i'm sure not all these people find the same solution to their problem
so
isn't it, like, why bash AA?
if it works for you, fine
if not, fine, too
there are other solutions to try
alcohol is a problem for some people
some of these people have found the solution to be AA
others have found another way
now eating, money, relationships, family, work,
probably even crossing the street
is a problem for some people
i'm sure not all these people find the same solution to their problem
so
isn't it, like, why bash AA?
if it works for you, fine
if not, fine, too
there are other solutions to try
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