While Alcoholics AnonymousThe original 12-step fellowship, formed in 1935, to help alcoholics, regain control over their lives. It remains the largest 12-step organization and has contributed to the sobriety of millions worldwide. Read more about Alcoholics Anonymous does have some aspects that are based on religion, Alcoholics Anonymous as a group is not religious. Many alcoholics believe it is and that is one reason many decide not to go to A.A. meetings. However, Alcoholics Anonymous doesn’t require anyone to believe in a certain religion or in certain religious beliefs. While Alcoholics Anonymous is endorsed by and approved by various religious leaders, the programThis refers to any official course of treatment for addiction. This could be anything from in-patient facilities, to 12-step programs to harm-reduction programs. in itself is not religious. People of all religions and people who aren’t religious at all can be a part of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Alcoholics Anonymous program is based upon accepting specific spiritually-based values. You are free to take these values and interpret them in any way that you would like. If you don’t agree with some of the values, you don’t have to follow them. It isn’t a specific program that you must follow in a set way.
Talking About God
You might believe that Alcoholics Anonymous is religious because they talk about God quite a bit. It is true that many A.A. members do believe that they didn’t find the willpower to quit drinking on their own. They believe in a greater power that helped them. Some people do call this greater power God. Others believe the greater power is the Alcoholics Anonymous groups, family members, the universe, or something else entirely.
Spiritual, but Not Religious
Some people are confused about Alcoholics Anonymous because they confuse religion and spirituality. These are two separate things. The emphasis in Alcoholics Anonymous is on being spiritual. This does not mean that you have to be religious to attend meetings or be a part of these programs.
If you would like to focus on your religion to help you overcome your addiction that is great. However, it is not required. You can also just believe in a greater power that helped or is helping you to get and stay sober. This could be your family, the universe, the sky, or anything you believe it is.
Spiritual Awakening
You may have heard of some recovering alcoholics talking about having a spiritual awakening. This might seem a bit frightening. However, it is nothing to shy away from. When you read the 12th step, you will read the term “spiritual awakening”. Some people see this and avoid going to A.A. However, it doesn’t have to be this huge, dramatic event. Basically, when you work the steps of the A.A. program, you are working on your sobrietyIn 12-step programs, an individual is sober when they are no longer partaking in the behavior or substance to which they are addicted and living a better life following the program. Both are necessary to achieve sobriety. and recoveryThe process by which addicts attempt to break the hold a certain substance or behavior has on their lives. This can refer to participation in a wide variety of methods. What they all have in common, is a sense that life is improving and the addict is regaining control.. You are changing the way you think about things and the way that you live. This is, indeed, a spiritual awakening of some sort.
Conclusion
Is Alcoholics Anonymous religious? Some people are religious and they attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or programs. However, you do not have to be religious or believe in any religion to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or programs. You don’t have to be religious to work the 12 steps. The program is spiritually-based, but this does not mean it is religious. This basically means there is a higher power12-step programs greatly stress surrender to and daily communication with a Higher Power. Having trust in something greater than yourself is considered essential for returning sanity in the unmanageable life of an addict. This can be a traditional deity, a spiritual entity or a social one such as th..., whatever that means to you, that helps you to get and stay sober.
