So there is another example of a book written by men ( two guys and we know their names) that is taken literally by the followers. I never knew about AA until I came here, and then I was clean. My motivation to drop my beloved was the physical I had to pass for my immigartion visa.. For me, coming clean was my choice, just like picking up the drug was my choice,too. AA and NA work for other, though. I will not deny their effectiveness. Still like my week in hell better than a lifetime of traipsing to meetings.

I am recovered myself from cocaine, and used the AA program. I got over the higher power thing thru my own discovery in the following quote.
"A mind which claims it cannot stop destructive behavior yet chooses to invoke a power outside & greater than itself is a powerful mind indeed."
I don't worry about it; if vocalizing my fears to a beast named god is effective, more of it.

There is a group called SOS (Seculars For Sobriety) but they are not very big. There is also a group called Moderation Management that does not push a Higher Power or complete abstinence.I think most people that see sobriety as "black and white" tend to see religion the same way.....on the other hand, people who see things in "shades of gray " (like me) can't stick with 100% sobriety and/or the groupthink part of AA/NA.

I have attended a couple of meetings in the Uk with clients who wanted me to go with them (I was a 'person centred counsellor' but I actually found it to be subtly -very shame based and though I know people who have really benefitted from it I think that hte format could be tweaked to make it more user friendly for anyone -

I attended NA with a friend who didn't care to drive at night. I nver had a problem with the "higher power" as considered it another psychic exercise people like to indulge in. I dropped out of NA because of boredom.

I attended AA for a few months because I had to. ? I felt the exact same thing. Too much Xtianity just below the surface. When I finished my requirements, I never went back unless it was in support of another. Will be 13 years sober in October. My higher power is me. ?

I have met many friends of "Bill" in my 60+ yrs and my Day for 19 yrs. finally went off the wagon and parted life the way he wished. He went to church every day of his life during those 19yrs but having to partake in the D-Day Invasion until the Battle of the Bulge was before the words PTSD came into existence. Never talked about it as will any combat veterans will and myself having served during the Viet Nam ordeal was on orders 3X but never made it out of Seattle Wash. Having met with many Veterans during and my after Tour of Duty made me all the more aware of what so many will never understand. My Dad never talked about it as I can always tell about a Combat Veteran but to this AA, NA, and Other Areas of Intervention are still very much needed. Pray will not, can not, as will any Psychiatrist Tell you that if you haven't walked the walk, your not even coming close to addressing the problem.
I'm going one step beyond with a personal friend who was a Drug Rehabilitator with the State. He himself was an abuser who went clean for 15+ yrs and is now taking Opiods that are prescribed to him by a Dr. to whom he has to see 2X a month for a co pay and the prescription. He is washing them down with shots and beers. What your witnessing is going to be the ultimate destruction of our whole value system and Congress is just turning their heads raking in the money.

My ex-roommate was going to AA meetings at least 3 times a week. I went with him one or two times and the meeting felt more like church . I have yet to meet someone who is in AA that is not deeply religious. I do find that unfortunate for the atheist agnostic community that perhaps might benefit from the organization.