So there is another example of a book written by men ( two guys and we know their names) that is taken literally by the followers. I never knew about AA until I came here, and then I was clean. My motivation to drop my beloved was the physical I had to pass for my immigartion visa.. For me, coming clean was my choice, just like picking up the drug was my choice,too. AA and NA work for other, though. I will not deny their effectiveness. Still like my week in hell better than a lifetime of traipsing to meetings.

I am recovered myself from cocaine, and used the AA program. I got over the higher power thing thru my own discovery in the following quote.
"A mind which claims it cannot stop destructive behavior yet chooses to invoke a power outside & greater than itself is a powerful mind indeed."
I don't worry about it; if vocalizing my fears to a beast named god is effective, more of it.

There is a group called SOS (Seculars For Sobriety) but they are not very big. There is also a group called Moderation Management that does not push a Higher Power or complete abstinence.I think most people that see sobriety as "black and white" tend to see religion the same way.....on the other hand, people who see things in "shades of gray " (like me) can't stick with 100% sobriety and/or the groupthink part of AA/NA.

I have attended a couple of meetings in the Uk with clients who wanted me to go with them (I was a 'person centred counsellor' but I actually found it to be subtly -very shame based and though I know people who have really benefitted from it I think that hte format could be tweaked to make it more user friendly for anyone -

I had a date with a counselor a year ago. A real date, not an appointment. She turned out to be a 'Christian' Counselor. No second date for me!!

I attended NA with a friend who didn't care to drive at night. I nver had a problem with the "higher power" as considered it another psychic exercise people like to indulge in. I dropped out of NA because of boredom.

I attended AA for a few months because I had to. ? I felt the exact same thing. Too much Xtianity just below the surface. When I finished my requirements, I never went back unless it was in support of another. Will be 13 years sober in October. My higher power is me. ?

My ex-roommate was going to AA meetings at least 3 times a week. I went with him one or two times and the meeting felt more like church . I have yet to meet someone who is in AA that is not deeply religious. I do find that unfortunate for the atheist agnostic community that perhaps might benefit from the organization.