Paganinfidel

New to The Forum. I have been in a faith-based 12-step program for 8 years. I became an atheist approximately 5 years ago. It has become increasingly difficult to sit in meetings with people who are either Christian Catholic or believe in the spiritual face based realm of possibilities. I do not. Just reaching out to see if there is a 12-step program out there that can help me find recovery without a god, faith, or spirituality

Wholesome

Hi and welcome Paganinfidel. Curious to know what makes you feel you aren't recovered after 8 years? Are you still drinking today?

I used AVRT to quit. It's not a program but a learned skill to recognize and separate from my Addictive Voice. AVRT requires no faith (other than in myself) and no meetings.

LBrain

There is a secular 12 step forum just below this one. But I think that any 12 step "program" utilizes a higher power of some sort. It is explained away so that you can choose however you wish to represent a concept or idea that is foreign to some of us. My fall out about this came about when I declared myself as my higher power - it's actually true. With that in mind, choosing not drink and to never drink again is a conscious decision. Many have done this over the years with no outside help or any program, they just decided enough was enough. I do not believe in the 'disease concept' either. I do know that addiction is very powerful. Some can make the choice to stop and stick with that choice, others need a regimen to help them get through it. AVRT is a "program" of sorts, but it can also be used as a concept. I have basically chosen the AVRT concept. I didn't buy or read any of the books. I did the "crash course" that is available somewhere on line. The beauty of the AVRT route is that drinking no longer becomes an option. With that in mind it takes away the "postponement" idea of possibly drinking in the future. You do not worry about one day at a time or if you'll "make it". Once you commit you've already made it. I have no insight on any of the other secular or non-step programs of "recovery". But I do know that "recovery" is a buzzword that is thrown about in order for some entities to make money.
All that aside, WELCOME to the forum and welcome to a new way of living. I just went over 4 years sober this week. The circumstances that 'inspired' me to quit do not matter. To be sure, I was a hard core drinker. But I just decided that I was going to quit. It wasn't easy at first because of my drinking history - 40 years worth. But I made the decision to quit and never turned back. You can do it too.

LBrain

Yes, I forgot about this part. Have you been sober for those 8 years?

Fusion

Welcome, Paganinfidel. I too stopped drinking by applying AVRT (although I have knowledge of AA). I found this link in Secular AA, the sub-forum below this one, posted by CousinA:

Secular AA. (Secular (Atheist/Agnostic) AA Meetings)

There’s also AA Agnostica, which can be googled. But if you’ve any questions regarding AA alternatives, please ask.

JeffreyAK

You asked about secular 12-step programs, not secular alternatives to 12-step programs, so I presume that's what you're interested in. As noted above, you might check out the Secular 12-Step Recovery sub-forum here. There is a lot of good stuff at https://aaagnostica.org/, and if you google "AA Agnosic" you'll find much more, including some local meetings depending on where you live.

Fusion

LBrain, congratulations on your four year sober anniversary!

Carlotta

Congratulations on 4 years sober Brian

Carlotta

Welcome to SR PaganInfidel, this is a great and very supportive forum.

Like you, I started with AA (among other things) but came to realize that mindfulness and a Buddhist approach such as Refuge Recovery was a better fit for me.
Definitely check out the secular 12 steps sub forum and also feel free to post anywhere; SR has members with long term sobriety as well as newbies who need pointers and support.

The great thing about SR is that members use many different approaches to achieve permanent sobriety/abstinence. There is an amazing wealth of experiences in this forum as well as genuine caring and support.

Happy New Year to everyone!! Wishing you all health, prosperity and tranquility for 2018