Chy
05-02-2008, 08:46 PM
Within the treatment community, there is loud debate regarding the suitability of the twelve step model for successful treatment of drug addicts, alcoholics and many other addicts. The central debate revolves around the suitability of a spiritually-based treatment. Many of the steps found in the 12 Step programs reference "God as we understand him", leaving many people to perceive these programs as religious programs and therefore, perhaps not appropriate or suitable for atheists or agnostics. These people often hear the word "God", but miss the rest of the phrase, "as we understood" God.
Atheists and agnostics are, in fact, able to benefit from 12 Step recovery programs. The only requirement for membership in a 12 Step program is the desire for the person to stop using their drug of choice (including alcohol). It is not required that a person believe in God; however it suggested that a person be able to believe in a power greater than themselves. That power, usually referred to as a Higher Power, may be the collective members of a 12 Step group or the fellowship, one's own understanding or belief system in some form of divine entity, the power of nature, and so on. Many addicts, while actively using and/or abusing drugs or alcohol certainly behaved as if these same drugs and/or alcohol were powers greater than themselves.
While several of the steps include the concept of God, the concept of God is stated as one of that person's own understanding. There is even a chapter specifically designated in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous entitled, "We Agnostics". This chapter offers several convincing arguments for ways in which an alcoholic might come to believe in a power greater than themselves.
Atheist addicts may find that after attending some 12-Step meetings they develop a concept of a Higher Power, or become willing to believe in a power greater than themselves. If the atheist is not willing to believe in a power greater than themselves, it will be challenging to honestly progress past the first three steps of the program. However, many group leaders and members have experience in assisting atheists with finding a compatible Higher Power.
It is very important to understand that the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/) or Basic Text of Narcotics Anonymous (http://www.na.org/catalog/book.htm) offer suggestions and do not officially demand anything of its members except the desire to stop drinking. Twelve Step programs are spiritual, not religious programs. The 12 Step fellowships are comprised of Atheist and Agnostics, and one will undoubtedly find a group of other like-minded peers within 12 Step program(s) to provide them with support and fellowship. In many cities, there are meetings specifically geared for, and attended by, atheists and agnostics.
This article is the exclusive property of living-sober.net and may be reproduced in part or entirely as long as credit is properly attributed http://www.living-sober.net
Atheists and agnostics are, in fact, able to benefit from 12 Step recovery programs. The only requirement for membership in a 12 Step program is the desire for the person to stop using their drug of choice (including alcohol). It is not required that a person believe in God; however it suggested that a person be able to believe in a power greater than themselves. That power, usually referred to as a Higher Power, may be the collective members of a 12 Step group or the fellowship, one's own understanding or belief system in some form of divine entity, the power of nature, and so on. Many addicts, while actively using and/or abusing drugs or alcohol certainly behaved as if these same drugs and/or alcohol were powers greater than themselves.
While several of the steps include the concept of God, the concept of God is stated as one of that person's own understanding. There is even a chapter specifically designated in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous entitled, "We Agnostics". This chapter offers several convincing arguments for ways in which an alcoholic might come to believe in a power greater than themselves.
Atheist addicts may find that after attending some 12-Step meetings they develop a concept of a Higher Power, or become willing to believe in a power greater than themselves. If the atheist is not willing to believe in a power greater than themselves, it will be challenging to honestly progress past the first three steps of the program. However, many group leaders and members have experience in assisting atheists with finding a compatible Higher Power.
It is very important to understand that the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/) or Basic Text of Narcotics Anonymous (http://www.na.org/catalog/book.htm) offer suggestions and do not officially demand anything of its members except the desire to stop drinking. Twelve Step programs are spiritual, not religious programs. The 12 Step fellowships are comprised of Atheist and Agnostics, and one will undoubtedly find a group of other like-minded peers within 12 Step program(s) to provide them with support and fellowship. In many cities, there are meetings specifically geared for, and attended by, atheists and agnostics.
This article is the exclusive property of living-sober.net and may be reproduced in part or entirely as long as credit is properly attributed http://www.living-sober.net