I went this way in reverse. I became an alcoholic because I had "failed myself and my god." For years I drank excessively. Still enjoying a 12 pack on the weekends when the wife and I busted. Once I became atheist I slowed up but was unaware of it at first. I still drink and there is beer in the frige from way back. Tonight I bought a 4 pack of specialty stout made in Ireland. I could get around to drinking some of that tomorrow.

Even so with this all in reverse of what you posted, I was probably more fun as a drunk and I'm sure I take myself more seriously now than I did back when I drank heavily. What the serious me sees is that religion was a big assed mistake all the way around. Just today in social media someone posted 3 bible verses to explain, Trump, the world, and things in America right now. I was very quick to tell them that their bible really says nothing about these things at all. There is no way that it could, and I prefer not to get into hypothetical nonsense about the bible.

They surprised me! She said she would keep her belief and also respect mine. We would still be friends and she would not use the bible verses any longer with me.

Yes, and I also know a few ex- convicts that turned christians addicts after serving their sentences.

Its a big part of many AA groups (not all, but most).

I left both groups and sober without them.

All traditional AA based programs have, in some way, a higher power to give oneself to. Many addicts find a crutch. Another drug. Another addiction. Another person or idea to pay attention to.

the 12 step program is based on god and IMO, addictive types just switch from one addiction/alcoholism to another/god worship.