Since it was founded in 1935, by Bill Wilson and Robert (Dr Bob) Smith, Alcoholics Anonymous has been the most well- known and most successful support group for problem drinkers seeking to overcome their dependence upon alcohol. Claiming over two million recovered alcoholics worldwide, the AA program is based largely upon a 12- step approach to overcoming alcoholism. Though not overtly religious in nature, the twelve steps and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous contain many references to God. In step two, members state that they “came to believe in a power greater than ourselves”. Many members of Alcoholics Anonymous, author included, freely state that it would be impossible for them to remain sober without their belief in and help from God. In the Alcoholics Anonymous program, humility is encouraged as a positive approach to dealing with one’s addiction and with one’s life in general. Regular meetings with other recovering alcoholics and the expressing of one’s feelings, are also part of the Alcoholics Anonymous agenda.
Through the years, however, the Alcoholics Anonymous program has had no shortage of critics.Some people point to A A’s characterization of alcoholism as a disease and the humility and introspection involved in going through the twelve steps as being negative and self- defeating. Others decry the frequent mention of God in the twelve steps and traditions, saying that the group should be secular.The ‘passing of the basket’, or accepting of donations during Alcoholics Anonymous meetings has also come under criticism as being too forward and embarassing to members who do not have or choose not to contribute. Questions regarding where the money really goes have also been raised. Overall, the Alcoholics Anonymous program works and it works well, if a person accepts it and adapts the program to suit their own needs. Though perhaps not as well known as Alcoholics Anonymous, several alternative Sobriety Support Groups are active Worldwide.
The following listings briefly describe a few of the Alternative Sobriety Support Groups and their philosophies.
A.) Women for Sobriety, Inc..A program that utilizes a “Thirteen Statements of Acceptance” platform. Their agenda stresses a ‘new- life’ approach, with no religious aspects and an emphasis on self- responsibility and creating positive self- esteem. In this alternative sobriety support group, they suggest that members take one of the thirteen’affirmations’ per day and try to use it effectively in their life. Through acceptance( like A A ), they strive for positive thought affirmation.
B.)Life Ring Secular Recovery..An alternative sobriety support group that stresses the importance of working with others, yet prioritizes self- reliance. They disdain the authoritarian and inflexible structure of Alcoholics Anonymous. Members of Life Ring are offered lots of recognition and support for their efforts in staying sober. An emphasis is placed on adapting the Liife Ring program to each members own circumstances. A telling difference between Alcoholics Anonymous and Life Ring is how they close their meetings. At many A A meetings, members hold hands and recite the Lord’s Prayer. At Life Ring meetings, members loudly applaud themselves and each other.
C. )Rational Recovery Center..A program that completely and almost vehemently, rejects all Alcoholics Anonymous philosophies and practices. This alternative sobriety support group stresses no meetings, no doctors, or no Rehabs. They insist that (the) addiction is all a product of one’s mind and must be beaten and banished from the thought process. Rational Recovery Center offers many items for sale from its website.
D. )Alcoholics Victorious..Another alternative sobriety support group that claims Alcoholics Anonymous is steeped in negativity. They also promote a ‘can- do’, positive- thinking approach to staying sober.
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