I see a lot of people talk about going to meetings. AA or NA. Most people suggest that this is the best thing for recovery. The 12 steps I guess. My question is, is religion a big part of these meetings? Listening to some people talk about meetings, it just sounded that way.
Just curious.

Nighthawk

Some groups are more into religion than others. But I have never had it force fed to me at a meeting. You can get info on the net on AA and NA or you can check in your local area and pick up flyers or such.

I am a staunch believer in meetings simply because I cannot stay clean and sober without them.., It is not about religion, it is about constantly being reminded where you came from, what brought you to want to be sober, and helping another to achieve the gift of sobriety. I am NOT areligious person - I believe that things happen for a reason, and there have been way to many "coincendences" in my life for me to believe that there is absolutely no supreme force, so to speak... I don't know what I believe in for a higher power, guess I look to my own conscience. The 12 steps are simply an outline towards becoming a better person - you don't have to be an addict to understand how following those simple steps could make ANYONE a better person!!

Ask anyone who relapses after an extended period of sobriety - WHY??? They stopped going to meetings. I stopped every time I started after only a few weeks -I'd go everyday, then every week, then once in a while - I always went back to drugs and alchohol, and it got worse every time. I finally did 90 meetings in 90 days, and I dont go more than a couple of days without a meeting - it's like medicine, I guess, that keeps me healthy.

Good luck - go today!!!

I'm with you Christine. I need to be with other alcoholic/addicts. I need to never forget where I came from. As far as religion is concerned, AA never pushes God down anyone's throat. They believe in a Higher
Power, and that can be whatever you decide
will work for you Nighthawk. Frankly, I now
have a deeper more personal relationship with
God since AA. And I go to 3 or 4 meetings
per week. When I don't go to enough meetings,
I get nutsy again, and I am sure I would pick
up if I did not attend. AA has made my life
much easier to live, and not using a substance to replace living life, is just great! Go to one, ask questions, and hear them out. It can't hurt.

TrickyDick, Christine and Taffy,
Thanx for the info!!

I was just curious cause if these meetings had a religious tone to them, I surely wouldn't find it helpful to me. I'm not evil or anything like that. In fact I'm a very good person and I love people, but religion just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I find it fake. But enough about that. Thanx again, and where do I find out about meetings in my area? Would it be listed in the phone book?

talk atcha soon,

Nighthawk

Nighthawk -

You look in your local paper under help-groups or call the AA or NA hotline for a list of meetings in your area. Once you go, there are lists printed by Intergroup, the conglomerate of the organization of all local meetings, listed by town.

Once, again, you WILL here a lot of talk about spirituality, turning your will over to a higher power, and all that stuff - just apply it to yourself as we other agnostics do - pick something other than GOD if you need to to use as your higher power - it will work just the same - they say "fake it till you make it" - one day at a time. GOOD LUCK!

I have been a coda,alanon member for 6 yrs.I consider myself deeply entrenched in this spiritual program.
I consider the 12 steps a way of life.
Alanon doesn't preach religion,just the need to recognize a source of strength and guidance in times of need.
I would recommend 12 step meetings to almost anyone i know.
I,myself,believe in god.
Friends of mine believe that meetings have helped them tremendously.

Nighthawk - You may want to surf over to the Rational Recovery web page and read Jack's comments on AA and the Love Letters from people that just couldn't stomach AA. Good luck. Make the decision now.

I had found the notion of God in AA to be bothersome till a friend of mine kinda set me straight. they say a higher power ,whatever you concive that to be. it could be something as simple as the group itself.