what do you think about a higher power?

Question

I am currently in aa for my excessive drinking patterns, and they talk about a higher power ie, god that can you get better. what do you think?

Answer 1

I tried AA on and off for almost 20 years with no success. A large part of it was that I am an atheist. No one ever wanted to talk about practical advice, all they wanted to do was convert me to God belief. I had people scream in my face that if I didn't find God, I "would die drunk in a gutter".

I kept hearing about atheists that got help there, but I only found a few in years of looking; they all kept their mouths shut about their non-belief for many years, until they had been accepted, before they let anyone know. I can't do the "fake it 'til you make it" bit. If I'm going to follow a program of "rigorous honesty", I can't lie about something that makes up the core of the program.

For a long time, I thought I was doomed, that AA was the only way, and that I was "powerless over my addiction". I wasn't, but I had heard it so many times I believed it.

Every time I went to AA I ended up suicidal after a few months and end up going back to drinking. One, I didn't want to be anything like the miserable, judgmental people I found in the rooms, and two, they told me that drinking would kill me, and I believed that one too.

I thought I was the only person in the world who felt the way I did about AA until I got online; I founds thousands who felt the same way. Talking to these people gave me enough support to stay sober these past 5 years.

I knew AA didn't work for me, but I never realized that AA only works for 5% of the people who join (Vaillant study, and George Vaillant is on the AA Board of Trustees and AA's internal Triennial Survey) or that someone exposed to AA is four times as likely to end up binge drinking as someone who attempts it on their own (Brandsma study) or that people in their first year of AA have a MORTALITY rate that is 4 to 5 times higher than for those who attend NO treatment and have the same 5% success rate (Vaillant again).

AA has been found to be (at least) "religious in nature" in the Second, Third, and Seventh District courts and by the Supreme Court of Tennessee. These judges were not fooled by some vague, fuzzy "Higher Power".

Answer 2

Hi, I'm in NA and they talk about a higher power there, also. Some people don't know there is a God; some people know he exists, but not for what purpose.
So this 'higher power' is whatever they see that is bigger and stronger than they are. For example: A tree;it is bigger than us, it is stronger than us, it is sturdy and has a good foundation. It can handle Mother Nature blowing winds, and rain, and heat. And when this is all over, the tree stands strong. Okay, I'm not saying get a tree for your higher power. I'm saying when folks come to our program, they are so distraught they will grasp at anything they feel will help them hold on.
When they learn the steps and the traditions, and they continue to come to meetings, then they grow stronger and others are there to help. Sooner or later they will hear about God.

Answer 3

Congratuations on getting sober! I have four years, 11 months and two weeks clean. I can tell you the absolute most fabulous way I found to "define" my higher power. I am in NA (I used drugs, rather than alcohol, but believe me it is all the same and recovery is recovery.) See if you can get the NA step-working guide, especially for the first three steps. It is awesome. It asks you lots of questions that you can use to help define your higher power. If you can't find the book or need more help, let me know. [e-mail]. Good luck!

Answer 4

Through the help of A.A. I have been sober 19 years. At first I did not understand this Higher Power. Your higher power does not have to be a God. A.A. is not a religoius program. Your higher power can be whatever you want it to be. I was told to listen with an open mind, and eventually my desire to drink left me. I came to believe in this higher power because without it I was powerless to stop drinking. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I think the only power you have is your mind. In other words, you're the only one who controls your drinking problem. Going to religious practices is sometimes suggested to help you forget about alcohol or take up your time for drinking, but I personally would focus on myself and not look out for awnsers.

Answer 6

Hey, I'm not entirely sure if I believe the whole Crucifixion story and last supper and stuff but I believe that when you die you don't just obliverate, I mean my cousin died when I was 9 and he was 14 (despite the age difference we were bestest buds :'( ) and I believe he is somewhere above able to watch over us. So yes I believe there is a time after death and that the ruler of that place is who we refer to as 'God' but i don't believe the whole virgin Mary stuff

Answer 7

Absolutely. There is a Higher Power that will help you if you ask Him to help you. This Higher Power is God, and He is always ready to help us. All we have to do is ask. He understands what is happening to you and He will take you under His Wings and you will get better.

Answer 8

Absolutely. Pray to God for help, have faith in him and yourself and you can overcome anything. I admire you for getting help. I will be praying for you and your recovery. Be proud of yourself.

Answer 9

They are right, as well as the first two answers