Have you or anyone you know ever participated in a 12 Step program?

I've done A,A, and N..A .

Keep Comin' Back! =D

thanx :)

I grew up in 12 step programs. My father has been clean and sober for 30 years, and my mother was clean for 9 before she died.

They work for those who want to work it, and get better. However it is partly the the resposibility of the 'old timers' to help the newcommers work it. This has become a problem. There are quite a few reasons why more people are relapsing today than they did when the program first started, but I don't feel like typing all of that. Though the main reason is because there has become a resistance to reaching the solution aka, working the 12 steps. People have made them so formulated, it becomes difficult for a struggle addict to get past step 3.

It's a spiritual program, and I've seen it work for many many people. Not to mention myself, (I've been a member of Alateen for 10 years).

My favorite experience was bringing a woman through her 4-5th steps for a Back to Basics workshop. I was 15 at the time. She's still sober, and has recently started an Alateen group (for those of you who don't know, Alateen is for the children of the Alcoholics).

It's a wonderful program, and really works for those who work it. It saved my life, I've seen it save others, and Just For Today, I am Grateful! =)

bad, they almost always come out more jacked up than what they were when they went in. it's sad

The saddest part is I my self have had many friends who OD or committed suicide from drugs and Alcohol. And then to attend one of these meetings and get turn-off to them because of some arrogant ass like I have been something just doesn't seem right.

I like the idea of most 12 step programs, but most people, I know anyway, come out as a totally different person. Also, people who go through these programs have a higher percentage rate to kill themselves because of guilt. These programs also don't address the main issue as to why so many people are turning to substances to deal with stuff. It doesn't fix the root problem which is bigger than the individuals in these programs. That is a brief description of my opinion about it. I know people who have died because of drugs because they didn't enter a program too. Either way it sucks. I must admit though, I'd rather have these people still alive and a little weird than dead.

Exactly.... My friends that run from meeting to meeting are not the same people I first met. Every other sentance from them is an AA slogan. AA comes before everything even there childern.

Yeah, it's sad. It's a good thing you are still friends with them though. :)

I've been to many AA meetings and find that it is just not for me . I do believe it can and does work for some people. I have friends that go to AA & NA meetings almost every day. I myself can't see living my life that way I don't drink anymore and really can't say I have a desire to. If I do decide to have a drink Oh well. I often found many of the "old timers" at these meetings tend to look down there noses at folks with less soberity than them or those not working the program as they think they should. I'm not saying the 12 steps don't work "they work if you work them" as they say, but it is just not for me. One too many times I left these meetings with a very bad attitude I do not think that is the way that Bill and Bob intended for older members to act.

Sometimes it depends on where you live and the meetings you go to. I personally never had that experience. I first started going to meetings in Northern California, and the meetings there were great, but I was not ready to stop. I moved back to my hometown in Southern California and really tried to stay sober. I did not have a problem with anyone looking "down there noses" at me, but there was a lot of what I call "13 stepping," meaning people were using the meetings to find bed partners. And a lot of "sober" men who ran out on their kids, but no one thought any thing of it because "at least they weren't drinking." I got so fed up that I walked out and didn't come back for nine years.

Now, I am living in another area and going to meetings and there primary purpose IS to stay sober. There is no judging. But, that is my own experience. And I do agree that 12 step groups aren't for everyone.

Yea, I had to take one of these programs when I had to learn to march for a parade......:) Hey, what the heck now woooooh, they can't all be gems...........:(

Keep marching back : )

LOL

AND I DON'T KNOW ANY ONE THAT STAYED CLEAN DUE TO GOING THROUGH ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS...THOSE THAT HAVE CAME TO JESUS AND ALLOWED HIM TO CLEAN THEM UP HAVE REMAINED CLEAN..24 YRS. FOR ME AND I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS FOR 30 YRS.

Oh, my gosh. I know many people that have gone through the program and are still in recovery. My sister-in-law has been clean for 13 years. A very good friend for 6 years. I could go on and on.

Like I said not any of them are clean and clear ...only those that have come to Christ have been totally delivered from even the desire to do drugs or drink..really how many of those that you know can say they have no more desire for these substances? Like you said they are still fighting this desire. I have been clean for 24 yrs. with no desire to return to my vices.

I'm sorry Debra, I have to disagree with you. As I said, I've known many, many people in the program that have been clean and sober for years thanks to AA/NA. Also, Al-anon has helped many relatives and friends of alcoholics or drug addicts. Yes, many of them do believe in God and have gone back to church, etc. But... there are a lot that haven't. They use their meetings as their church. They have Sunday morning meetings just for that reason. AND...I didn't say they are still fighting the desire to drink, at all. My sister-in-law hasn't touched a drink in 13 years and doesn't want to. Good for you if you have been clean for 24 years. Whatever works! Everyone is different so not all people get sober the same way!

There is the difference "still in recovery" those delivered by God are not in recovery they are free. No desire to fight against because it is like you have never been addicted. You have been changed, you are no longer the same.

not everyone who goes to Jesus stay clean. You may have, but most don't. most junkies beleive in Jesus and love Jesus. That isn't the issue.

Want to meet some people who have stayed clean due to these programs? I suggest Founders Day weekend, June 13th.

I congradulate you and your friends for finding help through Jesus. However, I have seen the program work just as well, if not better than religion.

I have never seen it work better than Jesus. I had been involved in AL-anon but felt they are missing Jesus. I didn't feel helped by them and nether did my son. My husband has been clean for 5 years now without any help but my prayers. Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have at our disposal.

A prayer is a large part of the 12 step program, and a conscious connection with God. The point is, is that it doesn't matter which God; but it is the need of a spiritual life in order to be clean. Religion does, and did not work for everyone. I suggest reading the Big Book of AA.

However a spiritual way of life does keep us/them clean and sober. Obviously your husband may have managed to find his own spiritual life, which is why is congratulate you; but it is not like that for everyone. That is why the program was created.

Many years ago, I was the leader of an Al-Anon meeting. My ex is an alcoholic. My daughter was in a treatment center for 6 months last year. She still goes to meetings. I personally, got my fill of it after so many years but still believe in it. I should probably go back. They make you feel good about yourwelf and that you are not alone!

I ALSO HAD AN ALCOHOLIC HUSBAND AND AFTER I GOT CLEAN I TRIED TAKING MY SON TO AL-ANON BUT FOUND THIS WAS NOT THE ANSWER..WE WERE GETTING MORE SUPPORT AND ACTUAL HELP AT OUR CHURCH. I THINK THESE GROUPS WOULD BE MORE HELP IF THEY PUT JESUS IN THERE INSTEAD OF THAT HIGHER POWER STUFF.

When you use all caps, it appears that you are yelling. You make a good point, but yelling does not make Jesus more appealing.

I need both. I don't think N.A. and A.A. are for everyone, but I personally need them. I also need church. In my life, I believe God works through both to help me stay clean and sober.

I'm sorry sweetie, when I first started on SH I was terible at typing and thought this was better..but I have been YELLED at by many for it...sorry