Originally Posted by
Sailor (The other one)
I've been clean and sober 31 years, because of 12 Step programs. I was also a therapist for 12 years. Dogwood is right about the miserable success rate of 12 step programs. In fact, while I was counseling, the estimated success rate for all addicts, including those exposed to some sort of recovery program, was said to be 3 percent.
In my experience, the main reason for this is simple - no program works. If you are like many of the people I met in counseling you will go to a program, be it AA or Rational Recovery or some other, and expect it to do something for you and it will not. They do not work, you have to work them. A recovery program is like a car: you can sit in the driver's seat and wait for something to happen or you can turn the key and operate the controls and pay attention to your driving.
I have experience with friends and clients in 12 step programs, RR, other "non-religious" programs and several faith-based programs, some of which also use the 12 steps. Those I have known who succeed are those who do the work. Those who don't, don't.
AA, the original 12 step program, has been the longest lasting, most successful recovery program in the history of the species. With no professionals, it has spread to over 100 countries. And over 100 other 12 Step groups for all kinds of problems have been created. But they are not for everyone and do not claim to be. If you think something else might do it for you, by all means, try it. In AA people say try this for 90 days and if things have not improved, try something else. So whatever you try, give it an honest go. And if one doesn't work, try another.
One thing, there are no membership requirements in 12 Step programs. I've known many athiests in them. If someone wanted to, they could attend RR, 12 step groups and anything else they wanted at the same time.
Best of luck.