Al-anon meetings?

[Kimaru]

I've been thinking about going to Al-anon or Alateen meetings for a while but I'm kind of hesitant. My understanding is that they are fairly religious based or have religious undertones, but I'm not remotely religious. I don't want to go and it end up being not helpful because I can't relate with the religion based parts.

Has anyone been to Al-anon/Alateen meetings that can tell me what it like? Is it more focused on the whole "living with an alcoholic side" of things or the whole "using religion to cope with it" side? Was it helpful?

[The Midnight Crazies]

Everything AA related is religious. They'll deny it and tell you it's "spiritual" but hate to say: it is completely religion based. It's based on the premise that you have to hand over all your power to a "power higher than you" (aka God). Nowadays you can choose whatever you like (aside from yourself) as your Higher Power but still I didn't find praying to a doorknob to end my binge drinking very helpful, but o...k. :P

That aside I've never been to Al-anon/Alateen meetings and I think meetings and their religious content vary from group to group but yeah prepare for a lot of Higher Power/God talk, that way you won't be dissapointed.

[Kimaru]

It kind of sucks, I've been looking around for a similar group that isn't religion based and I haven't found one. I really don't believe in any "higher power" so I guess I'll keep looking for something else. I really wish they had more options, I've also tried finding an SI related group but haven't found one of those either. All I'm finding are Al-anon, a few for family of cancer patients and a whole bunch of LGBT support groups.

[The Midnight Crazies]

www.smartrecovery.org

Tried this one?

[Kimaru]

No, I hadn't found that one yet. Thanks, I'll check it out :D

[finding_reason]

Hey There

Yes the majority of AA groups do have religious undertones, however if you search around for places like smartrecovery, or non-denominational meetings they definitely exist. Not sure where you live in Canada (I am from there and used to be a social worker in an addiction treatment facility) I am happy to do some digging for you if you want to pm me your location.

stay well.