I have gone through the 12 steps, but have not attended any AA Meetings in quite a few months. I have found that through God and only God that I have been able to stay sober without very much help from others. I think that it is my williningness to try my best as I understand God's will and my desire to get close to Him that has cured me of the desire to drink and use drugs. (I have 15 months of sobriety in two days).
Has anyone had any similiar experiences? What do you think?
(Atheists: I don't need to hear what I know you're going to say)
2007-09-04 05:04:01 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
little tricky - email me! I don't think that you're an atheist at all. I have the same beliefs.
2007-09-04 05:19:24 · update #1
That was my experience also. I was into drugs and alcohol and a total athiest of course. Then I went to a Prophecy Seminar and realized that God was real and became a Christian. After I knew there was a God those drugs that I use to use to make me feel good had no appeal to me. So, I agree with your sentiment, I think AA has its place, but getting to know Jesus is the only way to be truly free from these things. I hope this helped.
2007-09-04 05:12:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, your belief in god may be enough for you. Different people find strength in different things. AA believes that a combination of a belief in god and a support group of other recovering addicts is the best way but it is not the only way. If you find that god and your friends will get you through today sober, then by all means follow that path.
I would only say that if you ever find that you are heading off the path, do not discount the help that AA or professional counselors can give you. The road to sobriety is a never ending journey. Good luck (from an Atheist).
2007-09-04 05:12:18 · answer #2 · answered by Dave P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's interesting. I have been sober about 6 months and just talked to a sober buddy who is transitioning into a dry drunk period. I was a dry drunk for 2.5 months myself. I think your higher power plays the biggest role in sobriety undoubtedly. I can't deny being a dry drunk was perhaps the hardest period of my sobriety though. The fellowship offered by 12 step programs offers many to re-establish relationships with others we would have never engaged in or would have destroyed due to our addiction. I am a strong believer in the 'meeting makers make it' mantra- but if you are going through a period of not wanting to hit up many meetings or any meetings- that's ok. I know when I miss meetings I usually feel horrible, but I know some people are able to go weeks/months without meetings. Evaluate your reason for not attending meetings- if it's something petty, I'd check myself on that. If you feel your needs are being attended to consider starting your own meeting as unconventional as it may be. Your higher power guides you through everything in life undoubtedly, but I do believe you need to seek out other 12 steppers. You should maintain contact with your sponsor and prepare to either do the 12 steps again (they are meant to be repeated for our entire lives-) or examine the 12 traditions. Switch up your meeting style- hit up a men's meeting, a young people's meeting, something different. Having the tools to maintain your sobriety is key to enjoying your life fully. Also remember a big part of the 12 step program and being a spiritual person is being able to give back- perhaps you can change the life of a new-commer, become a sponsor (I'm dying to be one myself!), chair a meeting, etc. the possibilities are endless. You must remember you are a small part of the whole- maybe you can even do non-12 step related service to maintain a fellowship with others who share your desire to better yourself. I don't know enough about you, but it's always a pleasure to see fellow 12 steppers- rock on with that 15 months- go get a chip and a hug and stay sobs!
2007-09-06 16:05:25 · answer #3 · answered by Hello There 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally have not had the experience but I have had the heartbreaking pleasure of keeping the AA rooms open for people who have tried what you are doing now. Every one that has come back after a hiatus has carried the message that it still sucks out there; Even though they did not break their sobriety, they lost the serenity that comes with frequent contact . I have no desire to 'go it alone' because I have worked too hard for my sobriety. I am very impressed that you were able to do all 12 steps correctly in less than 15 months. Please e-mail me every three months and let me know if your way is working - I'd love to hear a success story.
2007-09-06 13:53:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
5 years of sobriety (Six in November). Rarely attend meetings - but have been going more lately. Two reasons for this. After time it became easy - and I stopped monitoring my thoughts. Not intentionally, my attention was demanded in other places as things have been occurring in my life that were unimaginable when I was drinking. I notice thoughts slipping in now and again. I think that meetings help 'maintain the perimeter'. Here's an analogy - say a rancher has a 1000 acres that is fenced in, he has the skills and abilities to maintain the perimeter of the fence himself. As life goes on he takes on other responsibilities, he still has the ability's - but not the time. He must rely on other people to help him maintain the integrity of his fence - so that what he has does not escape.
The other answer is altruistic - to give to others what has been given to you. When a fresh drunk walks into a room, looks at you and says "I want what he has" you are passing on a good think (whether you know about it or not!).
*edit*
One other thought - many people experience challenges and doubts along their walk in faith. It may seem unimaginable now when you are afire with God. AA is a back up plan for those 'dark nights of the soul'.
2007-09-04 05:15:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have an aunt who is over 20 years sober and a very spiritual person. But she also regularly attends meetings and sponsers people as well as sought out psychological help. I lived with her for awhile so I am very familiar with the AA scene though I am not an acoholic. In my opinion, most acoholics need to connect with others in meetings to remind them of where they came from... "there but through the grace of God go I". I have seen people move away from the AA scene and it is like a slippery slope - even with a strong spiritual connection to God. They begin to question if they are really alcoholic and then allow themself to take that one drink and then they are out there using again.
Congratulations on your 15 months and your closeness to God. 15 months is a short time of sobriety. I don't think any addict is ever cured of this disease. God would want you to do your part in staying sober... remember that you are powerless when it comes to this. Working the program and doing meetings has given my aunt over 20 years and I expect her to die sober. I am sure that is what you would want for yourself.
2007-09-04 05:16:35 · answer #6 · answered by NONAME 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am very happy you have come to learn a very important lesson. God is a god of perfect order and follows his own rules. He has created natural laws, and allows miracles to occur after we have done all we can do. We can't expect him to jump in and make impossible things happen every time we mess up.
Congratulations on reaching sobriety, especially for doing all you can and giving God credit for the little extra impossible that he does. You are a good example. I have similar stories I could share. It's alright to email if you want to hear.
2007-09-04 05:16:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure thing. Bob and Bill built the twelve steps from the Bible. GOD can and will remove whatever is within his will.
I have been sober for quite a few 24 hours now, and sometimes I feel like I am cheating AA for not going to meetings anymore. I have not been "carrying the message" like I used to.
May the Lord richly bless you.
2007-09-04 05:13:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I may be an atheist, but I don't deny the benefit of believing in a higher power for the sake of overcoming life's mountains and valleys.
As for your question, I do believe that some people can overcome alcohol and drug abuse with just God, but an old friend of mine did just that, and he did great for a LONG TIME (several years is a long time when you're 18). But the last I heard of him, he was dealing drugs and doing heroin, cocaine, pot, anything he could get his hands on again. His life had become a real mess all over again. So, I wouldn't discount the benefit of AA meetings in getting over the hump and even STAYING over it.
2007-09-04 05:16:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm a sober alcoholic (9 years) and I regularly attend AA meetings. I'm going to take a different tack on this question.
Even if I knew that God was enough to keep me sober, I would continue to go to AA. Why? Because God gave me the gift of sobriety, and I feel that having been given the gift it is my responsibility to pass it on to the newcomer. I think I would be selfish and self centered indeed if, having "gotten mine" I went off alone to enjoy my life, asking only "can I get away with this?"
As my dear sponsor once told me . . . "Don't ask what you're getting out of the meetings . . . ask what you're bringing to them."
Good luck in your sobriety.
2007-09-06 12:41:10 · answer #10 · answered by Helen W. 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋