Hey hey. So, I’m about 4 days into my sobriety, and wanted to know if anyone out there also rejected AA. I’ve sat through a couple of meetings, and both times, the whole time there, I kept thinking: this doesn’t apply to me. I have a problem with the whole higher power thing, and also feel like I’m strong enough w/out the meetings. I definitely want change in my life, and have support outside of the meetings. Has anyone out there done it successfully without AA? My nature has always been to solve problems via technology (which is why I’m here). Anyone out there similar? Any advice welcome!
No one said you need AA to get sober.
No one said you need a higher power, god, or religion.
AA is suggestive…ideas for a solution because apparently the solutions we had while drinking…well they just didn’t work…did they?
I quit for 4 years before, didn’t go to meetings, did it all on my own.
Did it work?
Yeah, for four years…did i go back to drinking because i didn’t do my steps or go to meetings?
Some could say yes, i could say no.
The fact remains that no matter what i choose i still battle with alcoholism.
Everyone’s sobriety and how they stay sober is different.
What works for me might not work for you, what works for you might not work for me.
There was a time when i did AA and i was told take what i need from the meetings, if i didn’t think i needed the higher power part of it then leave it in the meeting.
But listen to what was being said and take from that what i needed because somewhere in between those lines being read was something i needed to hear.
Good luck in your sobriety…
Stay strong…stay sober!
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As an atheist I truly hope that a lot of people can get help without the religious aspects of AA. If you want, you can also choose to follow the 12 steps for secularists. AA is not that common where I live, in Norway, and drug addiction is very much treated both individually and in groups but with no religious undertones.
I realise that religion and especially Christianity is much more important in the US and other countries (that are not commie socialist and fueled by satan himself 
) I guess you take what you can get out of AA, no one is forcing you to accept Jesus christ as your saviour just because you want to have that community group feeling. And I do believe AA can be a good tool, even if you don’t. Why not replace that “higher power” thinking with something else, can that work? I guess everybody has to find that out for themselves. And I’m sure in that vast country, there are options for non-believers.
Either way, congrats on 4 days sober and good luck!
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I feel exactly the same way. I’m nine days into mine, I checked out the meetings, and while I think it’s not horrible to be around people with similar goals as far as drinking goes. I couldn’t get into the program because the whole path to healing was inapplicable to personal belief structure which is atheism. The good news is you really don’t need it at all, you just need the strength of will and to have some kind of plan on place, which I did just based on logic and scientific understanding of how alcoholism actually works and I’ve been doing just fine. What I do suggest is staying on forums like these, if anything for extra support and as a reminder why you quit. Plus there are a bunch of us on here like you, so that’s always a positive
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There are so many alternatives to AA. SMART recovery is one very science based. Look into alternatives before discounting the idea entirely. I hated AA before I went because I was convinced it’s not an ideal model for women because of the “powerlessness” concept. Luckily, the first meeting I went to, after being threatened with divorce, was the total opposite. There’s also an interesting concept in AA of “aversion without investigation”. AA is all about the people in it. If you didn’t see anyone that you could relate to in those meetings, try others or go online. You have so many options for recovery, and everyone is made just as unique by the person doing it. Don’t feel bad shopping around for your mosy effective experience.
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There is no comparison between cigarettes and alcohol IMO.
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RE: the comparison between ciggs and alcohol–I don’t think there is one. I think the dynamic element in the equation is the person struggling. Meaning: to one person, the cigarettes may be the worst thing ever with only a mild problem with drinking. To another: the inverse. I think the key here is to honor the person’s struggle. At any rate, all of this has been TREMENDOUSLY helpful. I’m choosing not to go to AA–it’s just not for me, on any level. Last night, I passed my 7-day window, I feel great, I’m feeling more dialed in, in life, in work, in the pool, in the gym, in my relationship, etc. So there’s that. 
Have a great day out there, all, and thanks for the continued support!
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Understandable.
I totally hate smoking…of all the addictions I’ve had cigarettes have been the hardest to quit.
Also the one that no one notices or cares enough about to force me to stop.
But then again people are selfish in a way that if it’s not bothering them or their life then they just shrug it off.
Cigarettes might be bad for the person smoking them but unless your in the same room or car with a non smoker is not affecting their lives.
Alcohol or drugs tend to affect other people’s lives…if i could drink with no after effects by myself in silence no one would care and i would never have had to quit.
But that’s not the case…drinking changes me, it changes my life and affects everyone…everyone around me.
Addictions are addictions…i understand this…but as to why people aren’t telling a smoker to go to AA I’d have to say that’s my answer.
Besides…what would they do at AA if not for cigarettes…drink more coffee? 
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@Oliverjava
I’ve done it before…Quit 4 years without AA
But i think people look at AA the wrong way…I’ve met a lot of people in AA that looked at it the wrong way.
It’s about not doing it alone,being around other people going through the same struggle and sharing stories of strength and weakness to listen and learn and to help each other through addictions and hardships that follow.
Kinda like this app
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Very true 
Too be honest i fell out of the group i was going to when i was going…mostly because i was going 3 times a day (replace one addiction with another) and most of the people going as much as i was seemed to have rehearsed, scripted, stories…fed off new comers and plenty of 13 steppers.
I know not all of them are or are like that…meetings have to be experimented with just like the alcohol we chose to drink, not every drink worked for us, not every bottle was to our taste…the same goes for meetings, people, places, and things
Been thinking about trying meetings again…here and there…still debating.
Glad i have this app to share, read, and find strength.!
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@Rikk if you are struggling to quit smoking you shold check out the easy way to quit smoking by Alan carr. It’s amazing, I quit cold turkey after six years after reading it
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@Leigh
Right now is my only vice lol!
But i do need to quit, unfortunately I’ve been smoking since i was 11 that’s 34 years for one addiction.
If i quit cold turkey right now just being two months sober i predict a lot of broken things in my house!
But i will check that out…thank you!
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The concept of aa is to stay sober by working on yourself and removing your ego and character defects that lead you to drink. You can be atheist and still work the 12 step programme. You can also stay sober by will power alone although for many this does not always lead to a happy and fulfilling life of sobriety. I was very anti aa when I began recovery in a rehab but on leaving rehab I gave it a go as after stopping drinking I was left with an entire host of demons to deal with that all lived in my mind and was left stuck in being able to move forward and live a ‘normal’ life as alcohol robbed me of my life and my mind. A handful of meetings isn’t really enough to decide whether aa is for you or not but then i think also it depends on how you consider yourself to be an alcoholic and what change you want in your life. Aa says to listen to the similarities in what you hear in meetings rather than the differences. Many people are put off by the ‘god’ aspect of it ( i was) which is a term used in aa although god to each individual who follows a 12 step programme is personal and differs greatly. Today I follow a spiritual path which I am still learning about through working the 12 steps. Which a year ago when I was drinking a litre of vodka a day would have sounded insane. But the aa programme does what it says it does which is ‘it works if you work it’ . Well done on your 4 days
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I finally just got in my car and went to my first meeting in over two weeks today and I feel incredible. I got some phone numbers and I’m already planning the next one I can make. I actually have the hardest time making myself go but I always feel so much better. Almost to 2 days soberand I know if I take it one day at a time and work my program I can do this. Tonight I am so happy and at peace and sober!
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Love this 
well done, sometimes the hardest thing is just going and we all get days where we don’t feel like it which are sometimes the days we need it the most
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Thanks so much! I sincerely appreciate it.
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I use tiredofthinkingaboutdrinking.com -and the one minute messages linked to the site to keep me grounded. It’s been the perfect level of support and interaction.
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Hi there, I’m 4 days in and feeling prety good. Not my first sober attempt but looking forward to the forum support to help. I’ve tried AA only once and immediately knew it wasnt for me. Thanks for asking the question - I always thought it was going to be something I would have to accept participation in to be successful. Hope you’re still going strong x
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Morning Ang,
Sitting in the tree stand & just read this entry from your earlier days. I read a post or 2 about situations while you grew up. I’m sorry you had to deal with that. You know I place ya in the top 5 of people I look up to! You’ve worked your ass off & come a long way, that’s really awesome. Now you’ll probably hate me… . I’ll just start by asking do you have no beliefs in any higher power? Have ya considered who created that magnificent mountain you get to look at daily or your hands & mind that create that beautiful art? Just think about it for me.
On another note I can’t find the title but I tried one of your meditations from yesterday when I went to bed. I don’t think I’ve slept that good in years. Thanks Again
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You know I love Nature as much as u girl. Will talk more another day about that topic. Enjoy the day!
Ok ?#2, if I’m strong enough to stay clean until feb. How can I possibly do 2 weeks in the Caribbean totally clean?! Do we like apply for a two week pass from Sobriety? LOL
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