Alcoholics Anonymous (Post deleted by mysscryss92 )  SeanT561: If you want to stop using, AA/NA works 100%, IF YOU WORK IT. NEVER have we seen a person fail who has lived this simple program. SeanT561: There is a story in the NA basic text called "Atheists recover too". It says in the basic text that the word "God" is used because it is the simplest form of a higher power that people can understand and use, but you can even use the group itself as a higher power. Personally, and this is just my experience, I never accepted or denied the concept of a higher power...I remained open-minded and started to apply spiritual principles in my life such as honesty, selflessness, willingness to do the right thing, etc... I've developed my own concept of spirituality in the process which works for me, and which was a surprise. NA was the last stop on the block for me, I was going to die and had tried everything else to stay clean, but it didn't work. The higher power thing scared me off for awhile too but I figured it was see what the program was about or die, and I realized I was making assumptions that I was going to have to join some kind of cult or religion or something, which I was totally wrong about.  mysscryss92: What would you say was your best experience in AA/NA? Do you still attend meetings and would you recommend them to every type of person? Some say it's not for everyone just like counseling isn't for everyone. Do you agree with this? SeanT561: I have had more positive experiences out of NA than I can count, and it's due to me taking what I have learned in the rooms and applying it to my life outside the rooms, without using drugs. I'm almost 5 years without a drink or a drug, about to receive a bachelors in electronics engineering, and am about to become an officer in the military. I have mended relationships that I have almost destroyed due to my addiction, and have nothing but positive people in my life that have stuff going for them today...But most of all, I have freedom from active addiction today. I stopped going at about 3 years clean though, and almost relapsed because I was trying to tackle all my responsibilities without support, and had some crisis situations happen. I came back to the rooms and worked my problems out with some people, found solutions and support and got through my problems clean. The disease of addiction is a life-long disease, and 12 step programs are life-long as well, because addiction cannot be cured, it can only go into remission. I have seen people with anywhere from a few days to 20+ years go back out using, and lose everything, sometimes their life, because they stopped coming to meetings, working the program, etc. NA is for everyone, as long as they have an actual desire to stop using and work the program. I've been to meetings from south Florida up to Virginia and have seen every type of person you could imagine. "Anyone may join us regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion, or lack of religion". is part of one of the readings in the beginning of a meeting. I had to be willing to be open-minded and put my assumptions of why I thought it wasn't for me aside. Honesty, open-mindedness and willingness are the key. mysscryss92: I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences and I want to thank you. I believe this could be very helpful for people who are struggling with alcoholism and addiction.  kevin_britton: Sean you have my deepest respect. takes courage to admit to yourself and others that you need help and to reach out.  isuzubighorn39: The aa groups are a religious con so many end up leaving there partners as the groups drive them away or kill themselfs i have experienced this regarding my ex they brain wash you  Gamble Gold: I used to go to AA. The middle-aged guys prey on the distressed younger female newbies; they call it 13th stepping. If you're a guy you'll be ignored, no one will want to sponsor you (or whatever it's called, been a while since I went). Also I'm dubious about the benefit of humiliating yourself at meetings on a regular basis. In the Big Book it says you can't possibly remain sober without AA, that's rubbish, I'm still tee-total and I quit attending 2 and a half years ago, also the temperance movement came a long time before AA. (Post deleted by staff )  constitution broken: Hey, darin, I've only been sober abut 9 moths now, but use the same system. Thanx for letting me know it works...drm. (Edited by constitution broken) (Post deleted by staff ) constitution broken: I stay busy...working on bringing down our government right now. It's a full time job...drm.  MiataMike: I have never seen anything like what Gamble Gold said & on June 26th this year 2017 I have 20 years clean and sober. 13th stepping certainly does exist but it is not recommended for the 1st year of sobriety. AA is a life saver. If you work it. If you listen. And if you participate. If you take AA seriously and you work the steps it definitely works. You get out of it what you put into it.  Plumpcherry: I’m not one. I’ve delt with many people wo are anc were. What I noticed is after recital they struggle to nit sip. I also noticed from some to stop or cut down for other is usually a failure. But for one I witnessed, Being honest to yourself Quitting for yourself Standing for yourself against the bottle and your thirst. Helped them out a lot. | Self-Improvement Chat Room Similar Conversations |
