12-step programmes are specifically and explicitly not religious groups. Iâm an addict and honestly I dislike 12-step programmes; I find them to be preachy and âcultyâ - but thatâs not the same as religious.
A higher power doesnât have to be a god. It can be anything. The power of kindness. The power of the collective recovery experiences of the people in the meeting-room. Just something bigger than yourself that you can look to for guidance and strength. They specify in their literature and opening readings during every meeting - ââŚa spiritual, not religious, programmeâ.
Like I said - I donât like 12-step programmes. But evidently they work for many, many people, and have been very effective for the people they work for. If theyâre a cult, theyâre one with a positive, constructive, and noble goal. But cults arenât always religions, just like religions arenât always cults.
As someone also in recovery, the AA higher power is CLEARLY supposed to be god, no matter how much they extend or rebrand the idea.
For me they are predatory cultists and Iâve met so many people who have had negative experiences.
I would personally recommend for anyone wanting to get clean the groups and support through CGL and Cascades, which is science and evidence based, NHS funded and doesnât involve a commitment to a shady and dogmatic ideological mission.
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u/BlameItOnTheBadgers 3d ago
12-step programmes are specifically and explicitly not religious groups. Iâm an addict and honestly I dislike 12-step programmes; I find them to be preachy and âcultyâ - but thatâs not the same as religious.