Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
What are your thoughts on this? I went every day for a week, once. My conclusion - its helpful if you're an alcoholic, but it's a brainwashing religious cult.
Alcoholics Anonymous
- Thread starter Peter Parka
- Start date
Users who are viewing this thread
-
309Replies
-
8KViews
-
0Participant count
-
Participants list
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
That's what I've heard. I watched a Penn & Teller BS on AA. Penn said there are secular programs that are just as effective. So if you're religious AA is probably a good fit. If not then pick a different program.
That's what I've heard. I watched a Penn & Teller BS on AA. Penn said there are secular programs that are just as effective. So if you're religious AA is probably a good fit. If not then pick a different program.
Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
Have you been then? How do you justify that you have to believe in god for it as non religious?
Have you been then? How do you justify that you have to believe in god for it as non religious?
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
Do you say this because the whole Serenity prayer thing?
Do you say this because the whole Serenity prayer thing?
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
I work directly with AA at my job, and have seen hundreds of people who go regularly, and go...irregularly. I've grown up with an alcoholic and worked in substance abuse for four years (not a lot I know) and from what I can tell, AA is the religion of the addicted.
It, like Darrell said, can work wonders. I know people with 20 years clean who go every week or more. Sometimes the meetings turn into "waxing poetic" about their old drinking days, while they chain smoke and drink coffee. Some preach their asses off about recovery, while others become addicted to god (however they define it).
To me, it seems the only way to overcome a real serious addiction is to become addicted to something less dangerous. In AA, it's either become addicted to the meetings or become addicted to spirituality.
I work directly with AA at my job, and have seen hundreds of people who go regularly, and go...irregularly. I've grown up with an alcoholic and worked in substance abuse for four years (not a lot I know) and from what I can tell, AA is the religion of the addicted.
It, like Darrell said, can work wonders. I know people with 20 years clean who go every week or more. Sometimes the meetings turn into "waxing poetic" about their old drinking days, while they chain smoke and drink coffee. Some preach their asses off about recovery, while others become addicted to god (however they define it).
To me, it seems the only way to overcome a real serious addiction is to become addicted to something less dangerous. In AA, it's either become addicted to the meetings or become addicted to spirituality.
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
All twelve step programs are rooted in spirituality, it is almost impossible to work a twelve step program without a personal relationship with some sort of higher power. It's clinically a really important part of mental health and recovery, but certainly not for everyone.
All twelve step programs are rooted in spirituality, it is almost impossible to work a twelve step program without a personal relationship with some sort of higher power. It's clinically a really important part of mental health and recovery, but certainly not for everyone.
Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
This is the point I have a problem with. If you believe in god, fine, it's good for you but if you dont then what? I really dont see any logic in having to believe in a god to overcome an addiction. Me personally - I found that I'm not an alcoholic, AA introduced me to a new drug though - smoking - they all sit round chain smoking, kind of hypocritical in my opinion and the more they talked about alcohol and the more I saw what boring people they all were, the more I fancied getting away for a few beers. Maybe it works with some people but it really wasn't for me.
This is the point I have a problem with. If you believe in god, fine, it's good for you but if you dont then what? I really dont see any logic in having to believe in a god to overcome an addiction. Me personally - I found that I'm not an alcoholic, AA introduced me to a new drug though - smoking - they all sit round chain smoking, kind of hypocritical in my opinion and the more they talked about alcohol and the more I saw what boring people they all were, the more I fancied getting away for a few beers. Maybe it works with some people but it really wasn't for me.
Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
Maybe they might have liked me if I told them I have a god - Bobby Moore!
The substance abuse therapy community is still widely biased by religion, so they feel the only way a person can heal is with a god of some sort. How nice of them not to say which.
Maybe they might have liked me if I told them I have a god - Bobby Moore!
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
Relinquish control over your unmanageable life to Bobby Moore, and know Bobby Moore has a plan for you :cool
Maybe they might have liked me if I told them I have a god - Bobby Moore!
Relinquish control over your unmanageable life to Bobby Moore, and know Bobby Moore has a plan for you :cool
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
I went many times with my father when I was younger and never experienced anything remotely connected to religion or God as one would in a church setting. They did mention a " higher power " numerous times though and even though they think it's something different to me it implies the same thing.
As far as AA is concerned it's still a support group and nothing more. Some people need someone to lean on when they are trying to kick a bad habit and that makes perfect sense to me.
I went many times with my father when I was younger and never experienced anything remotely connected to religion or God as one would in a church setting. They did mention a " higher power " numerous times though and even though they think it's something different to me it implies the same thing.
As far as AA is concerned it's still a support group and nothing more. Some people need someone to lean on when they are trying to kick a bad habit and that makes perfect sense to me.
Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
Thats pretty much my feelings on it. I just think there should be a non religious way as well or that AA should make it clear that they are a religious thing. :thumbup
Thats pretty much my feelings on it. I just think there should be a non religious way as well or that AA should make it clear that they are a religious thing. :thumbup
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
I think it depends which group one belongs to. I can recall my dad saying he didn't like a few for whatever reasons which I'm sure would boil down to the people in the group. Either you get along with them and feel like you belong or you don't. Then the running of the actual meetings is up to each individual group and I'm sure those can vary greatly.
Peter Parka
Well-Known Member
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
Maybe, the whole you've got to believe in god shit ran through all 5 of the groups I went to though.
Maybe, the whole you've got to believe in god shit ran through all 5 of the groups I went to though.
Re: Alcoholiocs Anonymous
For those of you not familiar, one of the first few steps in a 12-step program is to recognize a higher power...so THAT is where this stems from. My dad has never been a very religious man and he's still not. AA, however, is the ONLY thing that has worked for him. I never thought I would live to see the day that I could say "my dad has been sober for 6 1/2 years" but I have.
For those of you not familiar, one of the first few steps in a 12-step program is to recognize a higher power...so THAT is where this stems from. My dad has never been a very religious man and he's still not. AA, however, is the ONLY thing that has worked for him. I never thought I would live to see the day that I could say "my dad has been sober for 6 1/2 years" but I have.
78,874Threads
2,185,387Messages
4,959Members