In February 2008 I celebrated my 40th AA anniversary — that is, 40 years since my last drink. I'll not tell my story here, except to say that I hit a low bottom physically. In my first year of sobriety I attended meetings all over Manhattan, but mainly in Greenwich Village. This was fortunate for me, as at least a few AA members there were openly anti-religious: they rejected the 12 Steps in whole or in part, and defiantly remained seated when others stood up to recite the “Lord's Prayer” at the end of meetings.
    One of the first “qualifications” I heard was that of “Bob”, who was in his seventies and had been sober for over two decades. At the end of his talk, Bob proudly identified himself as an atheist, and affirmed that his sobriety was based on himself and the shared experiences of other drunks, not on belief in the Supernatural.
    I regard Alcoholics Anonymous as the best option for recovery from alcoholism. It is very difficult for an individual to achieve lasting sobriety on his own, but much easier and better with the moral support of other recovering alcoholics. There is a great deal of freedom in AA, both for AA groups and for the individual. One speaker put it this way: “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people — working their individual programs.”
    To me, the following represent the heart of AA, the reasons why it works:





    In addition there is the Serenity Prayer, which speaks strongly to alcoholics, especially in the early stages of recovery. Confronting the wreckage of their lives, they realize that some things are lost forever, and these losses must be accepted with serenity. But there are still opportunities for a good life, and one must have the courage to work and even fight for them. The usual AA form follows:

However, the principles are just as valid without reference to “God”. Here I have re-worded the SP in the first person plural, in a form appropriate for ending an AA meeting:

    Undeniably, there are many AA members who believe that they owe their sobriety to belief in a Higher Power, to prayer, and to the 12 Steps.  However, these things are not necessary, for many atheists and agnostics have achieved good and lasting sobriety in the fellowship of AA, as I have. The religiosity in AA is harmful in many ways: it drives away non-believing alcoholics, lowers the level of discourse, and creates a false impression of recovery. Some pious AA members were so concerned with achieving “spirituality”, that they neglected to stay away from the first drink.

    There are now, around the world, bona fide AA groups for atheists, humanists and agnostics. Check out the website of the New York City groups.

    I have prepared a Bibliography on Alcoholism. To read it click here.

    In 1975 an excellent article by R.L. Wild, “Only with God's Help?”, appeared in The New Humanist (London). To read it click here.

    Abraham Lincoln, America's most beloved president, addressed the Springfield Washingtonian Temperance Society on 22 February 1842. It's a fine speech — eloquent and perceptive. All of the best elements of Alcoholics Anonymous were already present in the Washingtonian Temperance Society, which was founded in 1840, nearly a century before the birth of AA. The Washingtonians advocated that reformed drunkards were best qualified to help their fellows who were still drinking ... that practical help and persuasion were more effective than moral condemnation ... that the only cure for alcoholism is lifelong abstinence from all alcoholic drinks. To read Lincoln's speech click here.




Note: “The Man on the Bed” is an oil painting created by Robert M. for the A.A. Grapevine; it was reproduced as the center-spread in the December 1955 issue.



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