just curious...
i attended AA, and heard so much about "spiritual awakenings" and how my life would be transformed and i'd have no fears, etc, etc....all these huge promises.....
does anyone ever accomplish all that thru AA
2006-12-22 05:51:10 · 13 answers · asked by SNAP! 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
AA not only did not work for me, I got worse.
The Brandsma study showed that people exposed to AA were 4-5 times as likely to engage in binge drinking as those who tried quitting on their own. Several studies, including AA's internal Triennial Survey have shown AA to have a 5% success rate.
First off, even though AA denies being religious, it is. It came out of the Oxford group, a Christian sect that favored "God control". AA is a heretical Christian sect in that it denies Free Will and teaches that God cannot cure alcoholism, only grant you a daily reprieve.
AA gave me reasons to relapse, they taught me that I was powerless over alcohol, that I had a disease, that will power meant nothing, and only God could take away my cravings, one fearful day at a time. They also taught me that AA was the only way. Pretty bad news for this atheist. For twenty years, I bounced in and out of the rooms managing only a few months of sobriety at a time.
It was only after I took responsibility for my addiction and my recovery, and turned my back on AA, that I was able to maintain my sobriety. (5+ years)
2006-12-22 08:21:34 · answer #1 · answered by raysny 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I attended AA/NA about 10 years ago, and that was one of the requirements I had to do going through treatment. I have NOT been to a program in over 6 years and life is just life, and I'm still sober and doing good!!! I know when I went through AA they have stated that they need to attend it for the rest of their lives if they want to get sober. Then there are those who leave the program and end up using again and coming back to AA, then they say that they used because they left AA. AA says that people can't make it without AA, and that is totally false...the reason they don't know these people is because these people don't go to AA, they don't need it. AA in turn will probably say they really weren't alcoholics, well I been through 5 rehabs & got a total of 7 DUI/DWI's from 1972 - 1994 and I am qualified. I have done so much more with my life now since I don't drink and that I don't have to ATTEND AA meeting!!! I personally don't like AA, I don't like the way they use the new comers especially the women by taking an advantage of them. They don't claim to be religous, but they stress in getting a higher power. AA takes alcoholism as a disease, but the Bible states that it is a behavior. Nobody EVER went to hell because of a disease, but for a certain behavior...yes (1 Cor. 6:9-10 for no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God). If it's a disease, then it's the only disease that is bottled and sold; that requires outlets to spread it; that prokes crime; that is habit-forming; that is spread by advertising; that it's contracted by an act of the will...and the list goes on...etc...etc. Like I said before I really don't care for AA and had too many bad experiences with the 12 step group, BUT I would recommend AA only to those that don't have any other choice and hopefully that they can stay sober long enough to the point that they can get out of it and to enjoy life to the fullest! As for having fears...well I'm far from fearless or living without fears, but I know that I can handle them much better SOBER, then using!!!
2006-12-22 17:28:09 · answer #2 · answered by WV_Nomad 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had a lot to read about AA. It was a task in the college.
Researches proved that if you really practicing the 12 Steps Program, you will make it.
In addition, any spiritual awaking, that you will learn and go through while you are in the healing process, will defiantly improve your life 100% or more, and in all life aspects.
Throughout the journey of recovery, you will find your self understanding many things about your self, which you didn’t know it was there. You will learn by time that many obstacles affected your life even before the drinking problem.
Alcohol is only another shape of codependency. If you look at your life before that addiction, you will see that you had other forms of addiction. Addiction comes in many shapes to take over our life. The smartest definition of addiction that I learned is:
Addiction is anything that we have to practice it everyday to get over that day.
Spiritual awakening stage will take time and may stays in your life forever. It’s worth it.
I highly support AA program because I met super survivals who made it.
I recommend this book for healing:
- Healing the Child Within by Charlis L. Whitfield
- Healing the Shame That Binds You by John Bradshow, and
- The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck (Unending Journey Toward Spiritual Growth)
I wish you all the best and remember you are not alone in this.
You can msg me on 360 if you need more references.
2006-12-22 06:15:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh yes! It does happen. I too was skeptical and very very resistant. I am always questioning and seeking answers to everything. Things started to change for me once I got a sponser I was comfortable with and started working the steps. Now I am on step 7 and my awakening has begun. Not totally there yet but I can feel it and others around me have noticed the change as well.
2006-12-22 05:55:00 · answer #4 · answered by nakedshark34 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not me personally, but, as an addiction counselor, I have not seen anyone have a long term recovery without it. To most, as with yourself, they feel a little uneasy at first. But give it a chance. Start by going just for the fellowship. The rest will come. God Bless, and a Blessed Christmas to you. Take it one day at a time.
2006-12-22 05:54:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
at the same time as invoice W. replaced into first inspired to conquer his alcoholism he replaced into inspired with the help of a chum who grew to change right into a Christian and replaced into waiting to end ingesting. at the same time as he met Dr. Bob they used the Bible (usually the sermon on the mount and some different passages) to assist them arise with the 12 steps that are practiced in AA as we talk. the steps artwork, yet maximum human beings as we talk do not understand the position they got here from. to respond to your question, maximum human beings enter this technique agnostic. because step 2 takes you with the help of coming to carry close a larger power you need to do somewhat searching. some stay atheist and evaluate their team their larger power others fall right into a extra New Age mind-set. some change into Christians. In essence, you'll have someone from all walks of existence cutting-edge who're content cloth now to not shove the God they position self belief in down all of us else's throat.
2016-12-01 02:20:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read "Dry" and it's predecessor "Running with scissors" by Augusten Burroughs.
True story of one of the most f'd up alcoholic life's I've ever read. And inspiring, if not depressing.
2006-12-22 05:54:35 · answer #7 · answered by jirstan2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i met more people to drink with,and a few hot chicks..we all went to the bar and party together now...thanks aa...
2006-12-22 06:00:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
get a book on how to meditate... or better yet one on how to be truly happy, it shouldnt be far off from the meditation books...
i dont got a problem with drinking, i can do it just fine... :-)
2006-12-22 05:56:55 · answer #9 · answered by Tha Elite One of tha Gud Muzik 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
aa is a joke... it's a farse and everyone i knew who went to it went from one extreme to another or wasn't helped at all.
it's a scam.. if they really worked we wouldn't need aa... and we wouldn't need to use god as an excuse not to drink.
i'm glad i'm not a boozer.. and i'm glad i don't need religion in order to find purpose in life.
your life's makings though.. enjoy it.
2006-12-22 05:53:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋