alcoholics anonymous?

Question

i used to go to aa, but stopped going a few months back due to reading stuff about it being a cult and christian brainwashing etc. however, it also has its good points such as providing emotional support and giving you the opportunity to boost self-esteem by being of use to others. i'm thinking of going back there but i'm worried about all this cult stuff. what do you think?

Answer 1

To those who say it isn't a cult, try reading this:
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-cult.html

I call it a cult because they told me if I left, I'd die. Period.

I couldn't stay sober in AA. Too much foolish dogma that has nothing to do with quitting. You aren't powerless, that's a self-defeating attitude. EMPOWER yourself and QUIT, you can do it!

Whether it's a cult or not, AA has a lousy success rate: 5%, the same as attempting to quit on ones own. Once exposed to AA, the odds are 4-5 times higher that a person will end up binge drinking than those who try quitting on their own (Brandsma study).

George Vaillant, Harvard professor, researcher, and member of AA's Board of Trustees attempted to prove that AA works. His findings?: "Not only had we failed to alter the natural history of alcoholism, but our death rate of three percent a year was appalling." (That's higher than any other recovery method and 5 times higher than no treatment at all.) But that doesn't stop Vaillant from singing the praises of the program....which sounds pretty cult-like to me.

AA tells people that they cannot do it on their own; the Orange Papers reports:
"Another estimate is that at least 50% of alcoholics eventually free themselves although only 10% are ever treated. One recent study found that 80% of all alcoholics who recover for a year or more do so on their own, some after being unsuccessfully treated. When a group of these self-treated alcoholics was interviewed, 57% said they simply decided that alcohol was bad for them. Twenty-nine percent said health problems, frightening experiences, accidents, or blackouts persuaded them to quit. Others used such phrases as "Things were building up" or "I was sick and tired of it." Support from a husband or wife was important in sustaining the resolution.
Treatment of Drug Abuse and Addiction -- Part III, The Harvard Mental Health Letter, Volume 12, Number 4, October 1995, page 3. "


I stayed sober by taking responsibilty for my actions and my recovery. AA doesn't want people staying sober unless they do it the AA way....just read some of the responses. I got all the support I needed online:

S.O.S. Secular Organizations for Sobriety- (Lots of good stuff here
too.)
http://www.sossobriety.org/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sossaveourselves/

LifeRing Secular Recovery
(compatible with all other recovery groups, just no God talk allowed)
http://www.unhooked.com/

Smart Recovery (Many Many great tools to get and stay clean and
sober, all FREE- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
http://www.smartrecovery.org/

Rational Recovery (free introductory tool- AVRT, is very effective)
The rest of the program must be paid for, but its a lot cheaper than
rehab.
http://www.rational.org/

I wasted almost twenty years trying to do it the AA way, only achieving a few months sobriety, for the last five and a half years, since I turned my back on them, I've been sober, and not one fearful day-at-a-time, running to meetings. I've been working with people who have mental health and substance abuse issues.

I also run a recovery from AA group, without_aa:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/without_aa/

Answer 2

No. It isnt particularly Christian. ( I do wish people would stop using that term) Jesus was a Jew. But anyway, A.A. works if you work the program and find a good sponsor etc. They have a good twelve step ethic there and although there are many sick people attend, there are not any real bad people. I gather these opinions from my experience of having accompanied sufferers to open meetings. By the term used, "Higher Power" I view that as the energy generated due to people admitting to their common problem collectively in a group. That to me is where the "power of love" is based for healing, i.e. getting and staying well. If you need to attend, maybe don't try to analyse it too much and just listen and share but keep going. Also find a group in which you feel comfortable. I have seen this program put some badly afflicted alcoholics on the path to recovery and they have stayed on that path. Just look upon the word God (for a giggle) as "Group Of Drunks". All the best. Do it one day at a time they always advise. Keep it simple. It DOES work !

Answer 3

I'm willing to bet those who consider it a cult are the alcoholics who fail.

If you fell that it was working, then go. A cult is a group of people devoted to beliefs and goals which they feel is a better way of life. In a sense, you may consider AA a cult, but in reality, it is not. It's a group who feel their methods and principles are the best used for people who need help with alcoholism. The big difference is..you can walk away anytime you fee like it and apply those principles to your life. After all, it's only about alcohol and nothing more. Many cults actually make attempts at changing your entire life for what they believe to be the best.

Once again, if it worked, go for it.

Answer 4

it is up to you bab, don't let any1 put ya off from going, only take what ya wont from the programme. ya can swap one addiction 4 another and that can mean AA to. do the twelve steps and be really honest with ya self when doing it. You will get a better understanding of ya self and why life turned out the way it did. I have been in recovery for 7 years, I done a 12 month rehab, and have also done the 12 steps at NA, and it really helped, so all the best and to talk is good and have your own opion coz what might work for you, might not work for someone else, keep ya chin up bab life is good in recovery xxxxxxx

Answer 5

Hi
You tossed out the one organization that has consistantly offed the suffering alcoholic/drug abuser a way out. Yes, there are charges made of AA being a cult but that claim is patently absurd; AA talks about a higher power but it is within the context of spirituality. I worked with AA as a treatment specialist and I can assure you that many persons are today alive and sober because it's
emphasis on group dynamics, mutual help and sharing, and recovering people who will reach out
to the suffering IF THEY ARE ASKED. There is no pressure to come to meetings.

Answer 6

The cultish mindset you're speaking of is formed by those who have found a different method to recovering from alcoholism. Personally, I think AA is a joke. I'm a recovered alcoholic and I did it by myself with the support of family, friends, and God. I didn't need a bunch of drunks sitting in a circle talking about the stupid **** they did when they were wasted and 'what works for them'. And just as many people relapse in an AA group than those who aren't attending.However, I know many people who love it and who succeed through the program. It all depends on your needs and what will keep you sober.

Answer 7

Try a meeting that is for men or women only, try a meeting other then the one you used to go to IE. different day/time. If you have the power to not drink and go to a meeting instead then you are smart enough to know if you are getting brainwashed. I know quite a few people that have gone to AA and are not Christians. Which is more important to you, not drinking or believing everything you read.

Answer 8

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Both of my parents are recovering alcoholics and have gone to AA, but they didn't become "Brainwashed" They didn't become overtly Christian afterwards. If you feel like you should re join. First of all Kudos! You deserve praise. Good for you! ^_^ Secondly if you're still cautious about it, ask the class speaker about your concerns. Many peole have gone to AA, which in turn makes them better people. Not everyone who joins AA is Christian, and they don't become a Christian afterwards. It's just a program to help people with a drinking problem get back on their feet.

Answer 9

Go back,they are there to help you whether religion comes into it or not. It's not pushed onto you to that extent, it's there for you to use if you want to.
I believe in god, don't go to church though.So, don't go getting yourself into cult thoughts,that's a load of rubbish.AA is for alcoholics I know my son's an alcoholic and attends meeting when he needs some back up.
Thankfully he has been completely clean of drink and drugs for l8 months now, but there are always days that he's tempted, you know what they say, one day at a time,but don't stop going.Religion is a choice not a necessity.
Good luck, god bless and be strong, it's worth it in the end.

Answer 10

I went to AA for about 3 years - I began to hate it beause of reasons you mentioned. There is another group around that is much better - maybe someone else can cme up with the name