Is completing the 12 steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous program the only way to achieve and keep a life free of drugs and alcohol?
I’m going to speak for myself on this question. When I finally hit bottom and realized that I did indeed have a drug and alcohol problem, I was introduced to A.A. by a fellow resident of the half-way house I was living in. During my first meeting I saw and heard things that made me feel both comforted as well as terribly uncomfortable. Most of the people I met greeted me warmly and seemed genuinely concerned for me. Others seemed to be annoyed by the presence of someone so young in their meeting. I heard catch phrases like just for today, keep it simple and let go and let God. At that stage in my life, let go and let God scared the crap out of me. I had absolutely no relationship with a God or any intention to begin one. I did believe that I was capable of embracing one day at a time and that was about it.
What really mattered to me was changing the absolute hell my life had become. I didn’t want to feel the misery that was with me every waking minute. The drugs and the alcohol couldn’t mask the pain I felt any longer, I wanted it to stop. I was willing to do anything at all to make it all go away. What that meant for me, was to continue to attend the A.A. meetings.
My view is this; if I was truly willing to do anything to find peace and all these people were telling me this was the way, then I had to at least give it a try. Sure there were things and people within the program to find fault with but if there was even a small chance that it would work, I had to try. If I wasn’t willing to try, then it didn’t matter what 12 step programs, book or medicine I tried. It was never going to succeed.
So is it possible to get clean and sober (and stay that way) without A.A.? Lots of things are possible, space travel, spontaneous combustion…etc. There seems to be a better chance of success with A.A.
I’m still clean and sober 24 years later. If I can do it, you can too.
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I agree: You’re not going to be able to change any aspect of your life without that “willingness” to change. Some people just have “addictive personalities” in that they may be addicted to drugs/food/attention/etc. Whatever it is, it generally becomes their crutch for dealing with their problems ( if it itself starts to become their problem then they get addicted) much like most people deal with their problems: They try to out them aside and deal with them at a later time, perhaps a little bit at a time. I believe that AA works for so many people for these reasons:
1. Most people are brought up with a religious background. It’s something they believe is “wholesome” and “truth”, so they’re willing to submit to it.
2. Religion can be addictive as well.
In essence: People who do well in AA may be trading one addiction for another, hopefully with less damaging consequences.
3. Since many people are religious, religious people can almost always find a group of people to support them and share like minded beliefs. They essentially can make new friends.
Those who aren’t receptive to giving up for God…well…they have no place to really look but inwards. I think that if you’re strong enough ( and apparently you were/are) then it’s as much a valid option as AA.
Maybe they should have a few other AA options such as giving up drugs/alcohol for gambling or sex or bungee jumping?
Well, I guess bungee jumping would just be a 1 step program, and no one wants to make it that easy….
Also: I’ve heard that some drugs (notably ibogaine, but LSD is in there in the running) can “cure” alcohol/drug addiction. The idea is that the experience you go through is so “life affirming” or “insightful” that you’re able to see through *why* you’re addicted, and can then come out with no more addiction. Of course, this isn’t a 100% effective “cure”, and it’s (of course) illegal in the US (it is a hallucinogen), but this would be another option to AA and/or needing to believe/submit to some religion.
sorry, I misread your initial statement. Apparently you stuck with AA (as your only viable option?). Good
At least it worked, which is all you need.