Non-religious AA meetings?

LegacyUser

As the title says, is their any non-religious alcoholic rehabilitation centres out there, as I'm an atheist and the 12 step program wouldn't work very well for me.

I'm 23, and with a family history of alcoholism, coupled with the fact I tend to do very stupid and embarrassing things while drunk (last night being a fine example of that), it's time something is to be done about it.

I'd love to be able to go out and have one and two pints, and that would be it, but alas, when I start drinking, I have this 'all-or-none' mentality, so I guess it would be best I don't drink at all.

So anyway, if anyone knows of any such support groups, please feel free to share them here.

LegacyUser

I knew someone who was in your position. he went to normal AA anyway and it has helped him greatly. he is also an atheist
It always says stuff like ''greater power'' which to some people means god, and some it can mean somthing else.
make your own definition of it, and go to aa meetings.

iguana

Where are you based OP? If you are in Dublin or Belfast you could give lifering a try. They are a secular group of peer support meetings.

http://www.liferingireland.org/meeting-schedule

You can also go to your doctor and ask to be referred to the HSE community treatment centre for your region. Those are counselling based and you'd see a counsellor and attend group meetings. They do have residential places but the waiting lists can be very, very long for that.

If you specifically want to go into a residential rehab the Rutland Centre in Knocklyon has a 5 week inpatient course with a year of follow up counselling. It is NOT 12-step based. It's very expensive if you don't have medical insurance though. But they do have outpatient workshops and meetings too take a look on their website. http://www.rutlandcentre.ie/

If you want to do something right now, this instant, I strongly recommend the MyWayOut forums. http://www.mywayout.org/community/ It's a website where the different users share their experiences and help each other put together their own programme to sobriety. Some do use AA but most don't, some go to counselling and other just use the online group support. You'll get a lot of information on vitamins which are great for cutting cravings and replacing the nutrients your body has been starved of while you drank too much. You'll get information on just about every type of programme and treatment as I doubt there is a single type of treatment in the world that at least one of the posters hasn't tried. And there is a great forum about the most successful new medications in addiction treatment.

The AA doesn't work for everybody. In fact with a success rate of roughly 5%, it doesn't work for most people. However the majority of alcoholics/problem drinkers/how ever you feel like defining yourself, do get better so don't let yourself get too down. There are lots and lots of types of treatments, the thing to do is keep at it until you find the one that's a good fit for you. Good luck!:)

LegacyUser

Thanks for the advice lads.

I'm in south Dublin, I saw the Rutland Centre website, and it's a tad bit too expensive for my blood. I'll look into those other links though.

Thanks again.

Overheal

Im an Atheist and I'd say the same thing about a higher power. Nobody says that higher power is God. Maybe it's the higher You? Kind of like an inner child.

northern lights

You can interpret the 'higher power' spoken about in AA in any way you like, it doesn't have to be in any way religious, it's about your interpretation of it. My husband who doesn't follow any religion has found it invaluable in keeping sober so please don't rule it out.
Fair play to you for wanting to get help and wishing you all the very best...