Alternatives to AA

[Chas]

AA doesn't address the reason one over indulges in alcohol. Get to the root of what you sense may be any loss or lack in your life situation, not just currently, but over the years - look for gaps that may look alike that you chose to fill with drinking. You alone have the key to why you drink and how to stop. Trust yourself.

Yes, it does. Ever heard of the 12 Steps?

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Dude, I am a critic of AA, there are elements of their approach I do not like one bit, but even I can't say in good conscious that it doesn't work:

AA takes credit for a lot of people that would have quit drinking on their own. Moreso, I've met people with serious mental problems that were instructed by their AA sponsor to quit taking medically prescribed medication for those issues.

And that's a huge problem. They set you up with some idiot in a position of authority over a person that is extremely vulnerable and use a cult mentality to brow beat them into going along with them.

In any other area of medicine, if your doctor told you that the cure for your disease involved surrendering to a “higher power,” praying to have your “defects of character” lifted, and accepting your “powerlessness,” as outlined in the original 12 steps, you’d probably seek a second opinion. But, even today, if you balk at these elements of the 12-step gospel, you’ll often get accused of being “in denial.” And if you should succeed in quitting drinking without 12-step support, you might get dismissed as a “dry drunk.”

http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-an...lem-74268/

You are generalizing from insufficient knowledge. You don't appear to have first-hand knowledge.

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Bittersmart, I'm not sure if AA is the right approach for you. It is geared around religion. One of the key components of it is how a person is "powerless" over their addiction and needs God to help them into recovery. I know a few people who have done well through AA, but they were believers.

Are there any groups in your area for atheists who are struggling with alcoholism? And it might be a good idea to start a support thread here and see if others join in. Like an online support thread. Not the same as an in person group, but at least there will be like minded people here to support you.

You're in my thoughts. I hope you find something that works for you.

I think you are overstating those points. AA requires no belief, and says so.

I have been a sober atheist for nearly 25 years. I entered AA an atheist, and an atheist I remain.