Addiction & Recovery

tavalon

(27,985 posts)

25. Your higher power can be your 12 step group

Wed Feb 1, 2012, 03:03 AM

Feb 2012

or even your "higher self". I'm Pagan and when I mention my higher power, I use the pronoun her or even the name I've given her, Evelyn. No one blinks an eye.

Most 12 step groups I've been in have been very supportive of "God as I understand God". I do think it would be helpful for them to change the wording to "Higher Power as I understand Higher Power".

You're unfortunately correct in your thought that you might have to find other friends. They are triggers for you and triggers will make recovery really hard, and relapse really easy.

You've already got most of the first step. Way to go.

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I'm hoping this forum will help...because I could really use some. [View all] fujiyama Jan 2012 OP

The first step is admitting you have a problem Electric Monk Jan 2012 #1

It helps.... Tippy Jan 2012 #8

My daughter is in crisis...She is NA... Tippy Jan 2012 #9

Oh, man, that really sucks tavalon Feb 2012 #27

Very little you can do at this point... Love her and be an example. But surrendering to this busterbrown Jan 2013 #51

That simple mantra tavalon Feb 2012 #26

Your story sounds familiar. cordelia Jan 2012 #2

You are not alone.. Stuart G Jan 2012 #3

I need to find a post that I once made addressing just this issue. Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #4

The power of the rooms tavalon Feb 2012 #28

if you can Old Codger Feb 2012 #33

I'm not disagreeing but with my crazy life and a dearth of CoDA meetings, which tavalon Feb 2012 #39

If Old Codger Feb 2012 #40

Well, I guess in one way I'm lucky tavalon Feb 2012 #41

No harm Old Codger Feb 2012 #42

And speaking for myself tavalon Feb 2012 #43

To all who read your response...This guy has got it going!!!!!! busterbrown Jan 2013 #52

how do you know my story? irisblue Jan 2012 #5

iris, your wiccian faith is perfect NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #7

from page 10, 44 and beyond, how I did it NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #6

I have to believe in something more powerful than me, tavalon Feb 2012 #29

Do you want to hear the truth? If not, don't read this message. Tripod Jan 2012 #10

You got it Old Codger Feb 2012 #34

I'm glad you get it. Tripod Feb 2012 #36

I too Old Codger Feb 2012 #37

Simple but not easy tavalon Feb 2012 #44

Lurker here Vanje Jan 2012 #11

yes you can sit in the back and say nothing NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #13

I've found peace in the meetings and I'm very shy cally Jan 2012 #14

I agree with Cally. Every meeting is different. Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #15

They might ask if there are any new people tavalon Feb 2012 #30

Me too Fujiyama Vanje Jan 2012 #12

Well just figured I'd check in again fujiyama Jan 2012 #16

Thanks so much for letting us know how you are! Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #17

I'm glad you checked back in and did not drink cally Jan 2012 #18

For most people, just stopping drinking doesn't stop the alcoholism tavalon Feb 2012 #31

Seems to me Old Codger Jan 2012 #19

No alcohol for a week Vanje Jan 2012 #20

congrats. Going without drinking is a big deal cally Jan 2012 #21

I totally agree with cally! Kudos to you! Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #22

Congratulations! cordelia Jan 2012 #23

There are fantastic groups online tavalon Feb 2012 #32

Thanks for the good wishes and good vibes. Vanje Jan 2012 #24

Your higher power can be your 12 step group tavalon Feb 2012 #25

What I found Old Codger Feb 2012 #35

As an enabler, I have to chose to be different, not only with the addict who took me to my knees tavalon Feb 2012 #38

addict clean in NA monkeyofstick Oct 2012 #45

welcome to DU NMDemDist2 Oct 2012 #46

You've gotten a lot of good feedback since you posted this. jonpaulprime Oct 2012 #47

CON: You must define God. PRO: You GET TO define God dogknob Nov 2012 #48

“Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?” Fire Walk With Me Nov 2012 #49

You're IN DEEP TROUBLE.... and its only gonna get worse .Way worse. busterbrown Jan 2013 #50