Alcoholics Anonymous - The Higher Power.

[Theland1]

The 12 step programme of AA consists of a recognition of a higher power, God, a universal spirit, or even the group strength of AA itself. The God as YOU understand Him, or, the God of my understanding.
Members are taught to abandon their own strength in fighting their addiction, and submit themselves to the guidance of the higher power, relying on the strength of that poer to see them through the day. For millions of people, it actually works, and drunks get dry and stay dry.
So, the question for unbelievers is, how does this work if their is no God? The poor alcoholic has no strength of his own to maintain abstinence, yet somehow he does. I have seen it and it is impressive. So without a higher power, how would you explain this miracle?

[Mr_Mani]

Hi Theland, long time. I'm also in the grip of alcohol addiction and have struggled with alcoholism for years. Giving up for long periods, falling off the wagon, and then trying to give up again. I used AA and found them excellent. I'm currently using another local support group for drink and drugs who I find quite good. I've read loads of studys on this subject with it being my specialist subject, in fact quite a good one came out the other day. I think that there is quite a strong body of research that says organised religion and and an active spiritual life lowers the possibility of developing problems with drink and drugs, especially if involved from a young age. I'm not sure if the evidence is there to say that religion helps in giving up - although I have found it helpful personally.