Adult Survivor of Alcoholic/Opiate Addict, Abusive Mother. Want to go to a Group like Alanon but Atheist Group?

Question by I ♥ Cats!: Adult Survivor of Alcoholic/Opiate Addict, Abusive Mother. Want to go to a Group like Alanon but Atheist Group?
LLOONNGG story short, I don’t believe in “God(s)” but I want to get in to a group to help cope with the emotional repercussions of being mentally, emotionally, and physically abused (not sexually, THANK GOODNESS!) as a child and make 100% sure that I don’t fall victim to the Genetic Predisposition for Substance Abuse that runs heavy in my family.

I don’t believe that you need to say that you are “Helpless in the face of Addiction” and have to “Give yourself to a higher power”. I feel that is a cop out and that taking PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY is the key to defeating what can be both/either/or physical addiction or mental addiction to anything.

I know that I have the predisposition towards addiction because I see/feel it when I use alcohol socially or get a periodic prescription for pain meds for my arthritis… (I have a bad hip and need a hip replacement… The bad hip has caused problems in both my knees and back. I only get a prescription every few YEARS to make sure I don’t abuse them.)

I don’t want to fall victim to my addictive personality and genetics, but I don’t want to have to sit there and listen to people go on about how they are helpless if not for the sake of their god of choice.

Do Atheistic, “Take Personal Responsibility” survivor groups exist?

Groups that help with the Codependency and mental/emotional repercussions of being abused by an alcoholic/addict parent?

Please no Trolls… I’m being serious and asking for help… Making fun of people for their illnesses is not cool…
WOW… I just hate it when people push ‘helpless’ and ‘if you don’t believe in god, nothing can help you’.

With Rule #1 Focusing on “Giving your life over to a higher being” it seems as if AA and the other 12 step programs are pushing a cult, not sobriety or a method of coping with the abuse of those that never sought help.

If I want to go to church, I’ll go to church… (Or temple or wiccian circle or whatever) but I don’t want church… I want support and a method of coping with my life that puts personal responsibility at the forfront, not helplessness unless you give your life over to a god(dess) of any kind…

That is just pushing one addiction or dependancy on to another… “God” may not be a substance, but it can become as much of a crutch as anything else and I want to live “Crutch Free”.
Penn & Teller: Season 2 Episode 10: “12-Stepping”
http://www.sho.com/site/ptbs/episodes.do?episodeid=121067&ep=210
There’s no proof that AA or any other 12-Step program is any more effective than going cold turkey, doing things in moderation or getting medical help. And there’s a debate raging whether alcoholism is even a disease! The quasi-religious 12-step groups have America brainwashed into believing that a higher power will take care of everything. Whatever happened to personal responsibility?!

Official Sho.com video preview:
http://www.sho.com/site/video/brightcove/series/title.do?bcpid1305032885&bclid=1316298246&bctid=1316298245

Streaming:

Best answer:

Answer by tattoogirl
Start your own group if you don’t feel comfortable with joining a support group that is already established. I am 100% atheist and am a member of a 12 step support group. What I do is “take what I like and leave the rest” These groups are composed of people with vastly differing beliefs, many of which I do not subscribe to; however the basic support is there. If you would prefer to focus on the things that you don’t agree with, you will not find much support at all, and thus find yourself more isolated. My atheism is not a topic I bring up, it is irrelevant, as I am mainly interested in solutions to every day living in the face of addiction. I AM interested in personal responsibility and many people are as well, you just need to seek them out.
If a very specific group does not already exist, you may want to join an already established group and seek out like minded people, and start from there, you may find that more people have other things in common with you than you are allowing yourself to see right now. If not, start a group and see who wants to join.

Good luck

Answer by Bryan
I read through your problem and I can relate your problem to a friend of mine at high school. She was an atheist, dealt with an abusive mother and had problems with alcohol and prescription drug addiction at one point of time. I recently met her and I was happy to see her happy rejuvenated life. Well I am not saying that you are not happy now, but you probably deserve more serene relaxing moments right now which will help you clarify certain things you seem to confused about.

I do believe that its not just the people but the place also that injects vitality in one’s life. I had recently visited one such great place where my friend had spent some time last year. I simply loved the place and I got some positive energy too form talking to people there and just enjoying the natural beauty surrounding the place. I believe it will do much to you and give you everything you seek. Use this link to reach out the place

What are the signs and symptoms of addiction or substance abuse? – In this Twoology video, addiction expert, Kendall Evans, M.F.T., shares 18 signs and symptoms of addiction or substance abuse.Suspicions of addictive behavio…