Alcoholics meetings for Atheists?

Ha! I love it. Telling you to go to another group is like telling you to try another McDonald's if you don't like the food at the one you've tried.

I was in AA for 9 years before leaving in disgust last summer primarily because of the closed-minded attitude you mention. I went to many groups in many different areas, all over the world because I went to meetings when I travelled, and yes, the groups were different--just as McDonald's restaurants different because some are in strip malls and others in the airport and others next to the highway. But the God stuff is the same at them all...because the program is a religious cult. In fact the big book of AA starts out by saying it sets forth a program of recovery, but if you read a little way it comes right out and says "our purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum use to God...."

Now, saying that doesn't mean you don't need help. Maybe you don't and maybe you do. Some people are able to quit on their own while others simply can't. If you do need support, there are secular programs. You might want to start by looking up the following internet groups. They don't have a lot of face to face meetings but they are better IMHO than joining a sicko cult:

SMART Recovery

SOS Recovery

LifeRing

Good luck.

I believe there are meetings for atheists because this question has been asked in R&S and I remember the atheists had all the answers, but let me answer your sub question since your counselor and group members couldn't.

Addiction CAN'T be regulated. I'm not saying this because I went to AA meetings (I've never been). I'm saying this because I've had alcoholic freinds, and after they did good for so long, all it took was ONE drink for them to get back into alcoholism. I experienced that with cigarettes. I went for 6 months without smoking, but ONE weekend got me back into the habit of smoking on a daily basis.

The reason is because the drug is more powerful than you are when you allow it to be a part of your life. It starts with 7 months or 7 years of sobriety, then that voice in your head says, "I've gone this long without it, proving I am stronger than the drug. Let me have it this one time, and I will resist it again after that." After that one, you've let your gaurd down and the drug has entered your life again. Now everytime your around the drug, you tell yourself, "One more time wont hurt, I did it the last time, and I was fine." Or maybe there are a few times in between usage that you say, "Nope, not this time!" so you can feel like you're above the influence. Well before you know it, you'll be addicted again. The same way you became addicted the first time, only this time it would be easier for the drug to take over. So again, you reach that point where enough is enough, and you need to stop again! Hopefully this time you realize all it takes is one. I know I learned (after hundreds of attempts!!), and now my gaurd will always be up.

Yes, I've heard of a group, just as you say, they liked the concept, but not the "supreme being" part, and formed an off-shoot group.

Sorry, I do NOT know the name, but I imagine judiscious searching would find it.

There are other groups and support systems and options as well.

No, it's unwise for you to just do it on your own; possible, yet, but you're MUCH better off with help.

But, as I say, there's a group like AA in every way, except the religious bit. I forget whether they rewrote that step, or just eliminated it (rewrote, I suspect). So do look into it.

Sorry I don't know the name, though.

How many meeting have you gone to?

How many different groups?

Not all are like you think, although I get some are.

I hope you find a better meeting.

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When you ask "Why addiction can't be regulated?" do you mean ""why can't I still drink once in a while?" ?

If you abstain from a chemical you are addicted to (from caffiene to crack) your body goes into a kind of shock. This shock varies wildly not only from chemical to chemical, but from person to person.

Your body eventually recovers from this shock & starts to get used to life without this chemical, although the craving may remain to a lesser degree.

To dapple in this chemical again only stirs up the addiction, making it difficult to avoid sliding back into the abusive use of the chemical.

What situations would merit such a risk? Is being able to have a glass of wine at a social event so critical that you would take that risk? Maybe you need to ask yourself why?

(But some drug addicts have go on painkillers after an injury & that causes a major struggle for sobriety.)

Good luck.

Go to another chapter,, aas I am sure you will find one that will respect your beliefs..this group was slanted, so go to another and just listen there for 2 or 3 meetings, see how they handle the religious subject..hold your cards close.. the only kicker is in order to use the AA system you have to acknowlege a 'higher power'.. if that does not work, then try hypnotism..the reason this 'higher power' is so important is that we have to acknowlege that we have no power over alcohol, and have to have help to overcome the disease...yes I believe it is a chemical dependant disease..good luck.. ck my email

There are definitely AA type meetings for Atheists.

My brother is a hardcore militant atheist and has done better with his drug and alcohol addiction than any religious person I know.

I'm gonna ask him info on it and I'll come back and update this answer.

Also, I suggest posting this in Religion and Spirituality. Those people are all really intelligent and knowledgeable.

how many diverse conferences did you circulate to? looks such as you went to the incorrect variety. you may desire to seek for a gathering this is greater on your variety, they do exist. To get some issues immediately: - An alcoholic can not be healed. - Addictions of ANY variety can not be regulated. - An AA assembly are unlike church, that is a communicate board for sharing. unusual that i did no longer study the "unfavorable little lost soul" in financial ruin 4. AA is a huge help team. that is centred strictly on helping, sharing and helping. that is not a debate team format. sturdy place to community, you would be waiting to discover what you go with. it is truly useful to circulate to the proper workplace for greater help on your seek.

Since you don't want to attend AA meeting because of all the preaching there (which I can certainly understand) then try to do it on your own. I don't know of any other places that can be of much help to you.

Wow, it saddens me first of all of the "Christian" lashing you have received when you are asking for help. Unbelievable. Don't you just love it when people prove your point in writing?

I don't have access to outside internet other than Yahoo to verify, but there are groups that are at hospitals and outpatient care centers. Do you have health insurance? Perhaps contact them regarding outpatient alcohol counseling. I know mine offers that kind of service.

Either way, kudos to you for reaching out and trying to do something right for your mind and body. Good Luck to you.

Sounds like one of those idiot genius drunks that refuse help and look for any and all reasons. AA does not say you MUST believe in God, I don't care if you choose Garfield the cat as your higher power, but you aren't it. If you were you wouldn't be needing AA meetings. Go before you kill one of my grandchildren while driving drunk. If you go hybrid in your car can you continue putting gasoline in it????? No you cannot control your drinking, that's why they call it addiction. Actually an atheist is a poor little lost soul but that has nothing to do with your need for treatment.