bin-g

I am new to recovery. I am torn about attending AA. I am not really down with the "higher power" thing. Is there an alternative? Where people work on themselves and give themselves credit for their accomplishments? I'm big on taking personal responsibility for my actions. Making my own choices. Can anyone help me understand this?

bin-g

Let me add that I am not closed to religion, a bit agnostic. Still searching for what I believe is true.

best

My personal responsibilities and my own choices are what brought me to a point of needing to seek answers.

There are other programs besides AA. SMART recovery fits what you ask for.
Don't fully discount AA though. You can still learn much from them and in your own thoughts exchange the HP with what ever you feel fits your need. Many have found it works ok for getting sober.

Mark_123

I lost my faith. I really wish I still had it (I really do) but I think I'm more motivated. Since I don't think anything happens when I die I'm a bit (still need work) more motivated to make the most of this one life. Whether you believe you're made of monkeys (my term, copyright pending, that always cracks me up) or believe in an afterlife you still just get this one. I've associated inebriation with good memories that don't exist. It keeps pulling me back and I'm still struggling with it. I've had a few already and might call in sick tomorrow. I come here when I've had a few and its just embarassing for me but deep inside I still root for everyone because I know how happy I am when I wake up sober. Remember this, we aren't guaranteed a certain amount of years. Do you want to wake up in pain each morning (like I did today) or do you want to wake up wondering what you can take in today? This poison I keep drinking ******* my abilities. I'd love to see a video of myself staggering to my room after a few (way too many) shots. There is so much to learn. Look how far we've come in the past 100 years! We've still got a long way to go so lets stick around and see what happens. Maybe we can contribute! You take care of yourself! We're routing for you!

Taking5

Bin-G,

In my AA group, there are catholics, protestants, jews and atheists, and probably more -- this isn't always discussed.

In terms of a HP, you don't have to see a burning bush like Moses or see the proverbial "light on the road to Damascus" or even go to a religious service or for that matter even believe in God.

All you have to do is believe in a power greater than yourself. Some people use the group itself as their HP.

If you don't believe there is a power higher than yourself, that must mean that you believe YOU are the highest, or at least tied with someone/something else as the highest power in the universe. That would be pretty arrogant and I don't think you believe this about yourself.

Bottom line is open your mind and give AA a try. If its really not for you there are other options, but don't reject AA out of hand.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

BrandiK

"All you have to do is believe in a power greater than yourself"

Where I live, AA is very open minded. I hear that is not always the case but have not personal experiance any anything but open mindedness. There are some who do much god talk- but even they seem to be open minded... if it is working for you, then it is working. I know many who consider the group energy their HP. Doesn't mean the room is 'god', rather that they use the collected stories and people as strength. They come into those rooms and let go in it, give it up to the rooms.

I also have seen many, many, many agnostics and buddhists in those rooms.

I have an HP (not the bible ones, but still accepted in AA) and still credit myself for staying sober. I believe the divine is within me, and I am responsible for my actions, my faith is intermingled with self resposibility. I do lean on my HP, I do ask for guidance and strength; and when things are too big, I ask for help ... but I dont give up my life per say. If you feel AA could help, sit in a meeting with an open mind.

There are other programs that could help you too. Point is, use what works for you. Just use something.

CarolD

Here you go...

Recovery Programs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/?Media=PlayFlash

LifeRing Secular Recovery
http://www.unhooked.com

SMART
http://www.smartrecovery.org/

SOS - Secular Organisations for Sobriety
http://www.secularsobriety.org

Women for Sobriety
http://womenforsobriety.org/


Information and analysis about addiction treatment and harm reduction:

http://www.peele.net/

A useful AA reference:
Online AA resources (not official AA):
http://www.recovery.org/aa/

Moderation Management, the one group that deals with moderate drinking; useful for the guidelines:
http://moderation.org/

Some variations on 12 Step:

Agnostics AA:
http://agnosticaa.org/

Alcoholics Victorious (Christian 12 step):
http://www.alcoholicsvictorious.org/12-steps.html

Pagan approach to 12 steps:
http://members.aol.com/JehanaS/recovery.html

Another Christian recovery site:
http://www.celebraterecovery.com/message.asp

Rabbi Twerski's interpretation of the 12 Steps from a Jewish perspective:
http://www.a-1associates.com/AA/jacs_journal_2.htm

GlassPrisoner

bin-g, all you need is a little, tiny, grain of sand belief over a higher power. Some use the group itself. I myself do not attend any organized religion. However, I cannot also subscribe to the theory that "life originated out of nothing, means nothing, and goes no where..."

You're observation is correct though. One of AA's cornerstones is being humble. That is not to say, however, that there is no personal responsibility for taking action. Quite the contrary. Chapter 6 is titled "Into Action" for a reason. There's a LOT of work involved, and my God doesn't do it for me.

doorknob

Yep! It's called LifeRing Secular Recovery, and it's big in the Bay. Here is their meeting list:

http://www.unhooked.com/meetings/meetings.html#1

doorknob

For me, to really make sense in the context of the Big Book and the 12-Steps, HP must be sentient, personal and interventionalist. I find it equally arrogant to believe that humans are so important that such a deity involves itself in our affairs.

Jersey Nonny

Since alcoholism/addiction is an equal-opportunity disease, I'm sure...if you took a poll...you'd find as many religions represented as there are alcoholics and addicts. I can't speak for or recommend any alternative support groups because my only experience has been with AA, and I credit my Higher Power and AA for my 27 years of sobriety...because, I believe that...left to my own devices...I would still be drinking (if I lived this long).

dgillz said it well:

Quote:

If you don't believe there is a power higher than yourself, that must mean that you believe YOU are the highest, or at least tied with someone/something else as the highest power in the universe. That would be pretty arrogant and I don't think you believe this about yourself.

I would describe AA as a spiritual rather than a religious program, and you'll often hear God described as Good Orderly Direction. I've met many people (in and out of AA) who claimed to be deeply religious, but I wouldn't have given you two cents for their spirituality. On the other hand, there have been many who (for one reason or another) had ceased to participate in any formal religion, but their spirituality was very evident and to be admired.

I'm not a "bible thumper"...not by a long shot...but, I do believe there is a lot of wisdom in that dusty old book. You've no doubt heard the expression, "Faith can move mountains"; and, of course, it isn't meant to be taken literally, although I love the parable to which it refers:

Quote:

For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.