An acquaintance that is not a Christian is now seeking a power greater than himself to help with his drinking problem. He sees people in AA chanting and praying to their higher power with great ambition yet he feels left out. The gentleman told me that he considers substance abuse a behaviour issue and needs to motivate himself to change that behaviour that is associated with drinking alcohol. He also said that he found it interesting that the people in AA are seeking ways outside themselves to change a behaviour that, in his view, can only be changed through introspection and challenging his thinking. AAers say that a door knob would be OK for a higher power if choosen. He also told me it is a spiritual issue and that he must find a spirit as well. I don't know what to tell the man.
2006-06-28 10:41:23 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
because most do now have the power to beat this without
help. accepting a higher power does not necessarily
mean the christian god. it can be islam's allah. buddha
or any other your friend can accept as greater than
he is. you could explain it like this. if he were all
powerful, the alcohol would not have been able to get
him in it's grip.
2006-06-28 10:50:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard of this, they think that if a AAer finds a "higher power" that assists better in their recovery. I have 3 uncles who have been through AA a combined 10 times. Some people have problems with the higher power aspects of it, but if he thinks that moderation and changes in lifestyle are the way to go than you should support that decision if you are his friend, and maybe suggest that he goes to some kind of therapy or even find another group that doesn't addhere to the same rules and principles that AA does. It sounds to me that most people in AA don't want to work to beat their problem instead they look to this "higher power" to beat it for them.
2006-06-28 10:49:19 · answer #2 · answered by crzyernie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "higher power" is needed because it often IS a spiritual issue. Change involves decision, either from within or imposed from moral standards outside themselves. They know and have heard all the excuses. They need to come to a place where they see themselves as they truly are, accept responsibility that they put themselves in that place, and decide that only they can change their situations by the choices they make, day by day. They can receive help from one another, and/or from the higher power.
2006-06-28 10:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by Bill Mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everyone can recuperate definite. i myself had ( have ) a drug concern for some years now. I have been given to a factor variety of like him no longer being concerned lots in college, no longer associating with my mothers and fathers or very minimally and alongside those lines. I advised them many situations, OH im quiting/ im doing as your son says, "self-rehabilitating" however the certainty of the concern is it rather is a load of BS. whether he needs to stop his possibilities are high rather low doing it that way. i pass to AA and a treatment/rehab two times each week now because of the fact my mothers and fathers placed me in it, and has helped alot of the concern yet no longer completely, even however your son is 24 and an grownup and has to make his very own judgements you cant rigidity something on him. tell him the way you experience, be right now forward yet loving approximately it. If he doesnt opt to lesson then dont supply him funds, dont help him out, until he stops or a minimum of get his existence together, i comprehend itll be stressful because of the fact he's your son, and he might resent you for it, yet once you incredibly love him youll do it.
2016-10-31 21:08:14 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcoholism is a three part malady, physical, spiritual, and emotional. You can't have a high quality of life without attending to all three parts. You can quit for periods of time, but you will be a dry drunk. A dry drunk will continue to feel restless irritable and discontent. It is a disease. It is a disease that tells you that you aren't sick. He can try doing it his way all he wants, but AA has found a solution that works. Alcoholics often have to act their way in to a new way of thinking rather than think their way in to a new way of acting. We can resolve to change a behavior for years without ever doing a thing. It isn't about will power, it is about turning over control over things you can't control anyway. Just my experience....
2006-06-28 10:45:58 · answer #5 · answered by dreamer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he needs to find God. With God comes hope, and a power that on our own does not exists. In AA to try on our own is to heavy a burden. We need the supernatural to intervene. I don't know how so many get through anything without God's love and grace and power to believe in.
2006-06-28 10:49:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is still asking questions like that he is in denial. And not yet serious about getting sober. If he is serious he will find a higher power that works for him.
2006-06-28 10:46:13 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well tell him to continue to go to the meetings and that he's doing very well just to WANT to change and that there are churches all around with people who can help and bring a positive atmosphere, etc... and that he should maybe go to some (maybe you could go with him)
2006-06-28 10:44:11 · answer #8 · answered by Ether 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because AA know it is much easier to replace one addiction with another then it is to end an addiction.
2006-06-28 10:46:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are other self help groups other than AA which may be more to his taste.
2006-06-28 10:46:03 · answer #10 · answered by LoneStar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋