What is everybody’s opinion on AA the 12 steps and getting a sponsor I’d love to know peoples views on it
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Saved my life and broke the chains of addiction. I was hesitant of them forcing god from rumors i heard but found its a beautiful program with room for everyones idea of a higher power
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AA has been life changing for me. Not only has it changed my lifestyle, I’ve met some amazing people that are now friends outside of the rooms. I can count on these friends no matter what. AA has given me a life beyond my wildest dreams.
I went to AA for my drinking and I stay for my thinking
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AA dispelled any preconceptions I had about who is afflicted, and gave me a pathway to a life far better than if I had never suffered from addiction. It took time, like prying a locked box of treasure does.
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I love the 12 steps! I started attending meetings when I seriously tried to get clean and sober around the year 2004. I attended in-person meetings regularly for about 10 years. Had a sponsor and did the steps. I honestly learned sooooo much about recovery and just how to live life. Bcuz in all honesty, i had no clue how to live life on lifes terms, i had no clue how to interact with people, i had no clue how to manage emotions or gain healthy coping skills. By doing the 12 steps, I began to learn all of this! Sponsors are amazing to have!! My sponsor got to know me and could call me on bs lol Sponsors guide u thru the Big Book (going thru the steps) and are someone u can call in times of distress.
The past (almost) 4 years, i havent been able to go to in-person meetings but i do occasionally attend online ones. I definitly prefer in-person tho as there is ways to be of service in the rooms and it helps to build healthy friendships where u can go for coffee after the meeting or whatever.
I highly recommend joining a 12 step program if thats what ur thinking of doing 
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From my experiences throughout the years, first mandatorily in rehab then eventually voluntarily, AA is a great place for alcoholics/addicts to find support and community! I can’t speak for the steps/sponsor because I have done neither, but I know for a fact that both of those things have helped a lot of people get and stay sober!
As a non-religious/non-spiritual person I’ve always struggled with the concept of a higher power, but I’ve ever been shamed for my beliefs (or lack there of) in any meeting I’ve personally been to. Not every meeting is the same, some are heavier on the scale one way or another concerning “God”, you just gotta find the right fit for you! My advise would be to give a few meeting a try, get a feel for what it means to be surrounded by people who are struggling with similar issues and who can understand the concept of addiction!
I will be forever grateful that I went to AA and found life long friends that support my sobriety and allow me to support them when they are in need!
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I stayed sober for over two years with the help of the TS community alone. I resisted the idea of AA, I didn’t want to go… and then I went!
It’s only been a few months now, but from my first meeting I knew I belonged there. I was part of the AA family, of the Fellowship. They greeted me with open arms and have shown me love when I was unable to love myself.
Going to meetings, accepting I AM an alcoholic, getting a sponsor, truly believing that working the 12 steps will help me live life on life terms - that’s my life now. ODAAT, but every day without fail.
I couldn’t be happier, AA has transformed and elevated my sobriety and my life in ways I could never have imagined. And I’m only a few months in and just started on the steps.
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Beautiful share @HolySquid glad you are seeing the benefits of the fellowship. Hopefully the steps will blow your mind and bring about even more beautiful sobriety
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Went to AA in 1986 decided to stay ive been sponsoring over 35 years in my 39 plus years of sobriety it worked for me so it will work for anyone who wants it
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I loved my meetings and i am sure that they were what got me through that first year (then COVID hit and closed down all the meetings I was going to). But I’ll admit that I never got a sponsor of did the steps. Not because I didn’t believe in them but only because I never could get the courage to ask for one. But listening and sharing and reading was enough for me. However I do recommend the steps. I think I was lucky.
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Over 8 years sober in AA myself.
I have never heard anyone who has gone through all 12 steps say they wish they hadn’t.
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