Addiction & Recovery

zanana1

(6,306 posts)

39. I don't think AA is for everyone, though.

Sun Feb 11, 2024, 01:56 PM

Feb 2024

I've been sober for 45 years. For the first two years of my sobriety, I went to AA, but after a meeting I would feel depressed. I don't know why that is. I'm not religious and I did have an aversion to saying the Our Father after meetings, but I don't think that was it. I just knew that I felt worse, not better. I've been sober 43 years without AA.

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What are the chances of "recovery" if you attend Alcoholics Anonymous, [View all] no_hypocrisy Nov 2023 OP

Although I'm an atheist, I think that if all else has failed, it can't hurt to try. Croney Nov 2023 #1

I've known... Mike Nelson Nov 2023 #2

Thanks, that's what I thought. no_hypocrisy Nov 2023 #3

Right elleng Dec 2023 #27

You said it best. They have to want to quit, otherwise, nothing is going to work. And there is no 'magic pill' or SWBTATTReg Dec 2023 #32

Does my work for Atheist. multigraincracker Nov 2023 #4

My point: regardless of whether the organization is religious or secular, no_hypocrisy Nov 2023 #6

To answer your question, "yes" RainCaster Feb 2024 #38

I don't think AA is for everyone, though. zanana1 Feb 2024 #39

No, You do not have to have a Higher Power". That is up to you. Stuart G Nov 2023 #21

Yes, I've read that a person's chance of quitting Haggard Celine Dec 2023 #29

worth a shot DoBW Nov 2023 #5

Recovery is a lifetime thing mymomwasright Nov 2023 #7

Step One PJMcK Nov 2023 #8

First step is that you are powerless over alcohol and your life cally Nov 2023 #17

As a former board member and chair gibraltar72 Nov 2023 #9

Thank you. no_hypocrisy Nov 2023 #10

Assuming that one day he does get into recovery. raccoon Dec 2023 #26

Because of anonymity, the data on AA is unscientific and inconclusive Fiendish Thingy Nov 2023 #11

AA isn't for everyone bif Nov 2023 #12

Worked for an atheist friend of mine. For him, it was about the fellowship he found there. Midnight Writer Nov 2023 #13

Not about AA no_hypocrisy Nov 2023 #14

Here's my story bif Nov 2023 #15

The rate of recovery in AA is... Jacson6 Nov 2023 #16

Where did you get these statistic? cally Nov 2023 #18

Real stata Timewas Dec 2023 #34

I go to AA meetings at a couple of churches, religion isn't involved, AA just rents the space Rhiannon12866 Nov 2023 #19

When I started Overeates Anonymous, I weighed about 215 Pounds. I lost about 60 pounds and kept it off for 40 years. Stuart G Nov 2023 #20

I've been to OA meetings, went there with my AA sponsor. I actually had the opposite problem, when I drank, I didn't eat Rhiannon12866 Nov 2023 #22

You have said it correctly, " And what anyone chooses to believe is up to the individual." That is it, and "ALL OF IT." Stuart G Nov 2023 #23

Thank you - and I credit my sponsor who I met at my second meeting, she stuck with me and advised me what to do Rhiannon12866 Nov 2023 #24

Well said. Thx! DEbluedude Dec 2023 #36

Better than if you don't RainCaster Dec 2023 #25

Going for any reason is better than nothing questionseverything Dec 2023 #28

It Is The Best Timewas Dec 2023 #30

A companion can be a 12-step sponsor but not the Higher Power Ponietz Dec 2023 #31

No one will quit until they decide, truly, and on their own, that they are ready happybird Dec 2023 #33

AA ecovery rates have always been higher than clinical therapy settings. Irish_Dem Dec 2023 #35

I quit drinking when I got to the point that I hated being drunk more than being sober. Chainfire Dec 2023 #37