Recovery without a step program

Jonnylee373 · Jan 3, 2014

I searched for any information on recovery without participating in a step program and couldn't find anything. My question is why do I need to go through a step program.

I ended my relationship with alcohol on December 23, 2013, and cigars on the 26th. One of the only reasons I drank was because I was bored and then it became a habit, but the most important reason was that I wasn't serious about my relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ.

Every time I drank it was out of habit and sometimes I really needed to convince myself and prepare my mind to drink. The next day I was of course hung over, but more importantly, separated from God. Over the last two years I've been praying that the Father would draw me closer and help me to stop this insane, disobedient behavior. The closer He drew me, the more I realized I could no longer serve two masters. Consistently spending time in His Word really helps a lot.

If I was truly a child of the King, I had to stop drinking alcohol and smoking so that is what I chose on Dec. 23,2013. Since that day I have not wanted to drink or smoke because I have taken to heart the verse in James 1:12 which states: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

I know I will have days when it seems like everything is falling down around me, and maybe having someone to talk to would be helpful, but is a step program really necessary?

I welcome your thoughts and insights on this issue. God bless you in advance.

Jonathan

jimbattle · Jan 5, 2014

H Jonathan,

I have over 23 years without drinking and drugging. You do need to go through a step program. This is not my opinion but a fact. I'm glad to hear that you are serious about your relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ. So am I. Very serious.

You say that you have been praying that the Father would draw me closer and help me to stop this insane, disobedient behavior. If you don't stop begging Him to do this, He will. The Bible says that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and we get what we asked for. But it also say that we have to keep asking, keep knocking like the lady in one of Jesus' parables. Keep spending time in His Word, my brother, but you have to keep begging to. As you read the Bible, even beg Him to speak to your heart and to show you what you need to see.

Again, a step program is NOT necessary. I know all about these programs because I used to be a member. You are welcome to call me and I will explain what your best alternative is. I've been helping people like you for over 20 years and I have a very good understanding of what the Bible teaches about how to stay away from alcohol and overcome all temptations to drink. You can call and leave a message at 623-255-7888. I will be sure to get back with you. Be strong in the Lord, my Brother.
Jim Battle

jimbattle · Jan 5, 2014

Hi Jonathan,

I'm new at this forum thing but I sent you a quick response. I don't know where those go so I figured I'd better post something here too.

You do NOT need any kind of program. I have over 23 years without drinking and misusing drugs and I know all about 12-step programs from research and experience. You can say that I'm kind of a Christian expert on the subject of addictions and recovery programs, especially 12-step programs.

So give me a call and leave a message at 623-255-7888. I will get back to you as soon as possible. And, no, I'm not trying to sell you anything. I'm just somebody who really cares about Christians who need and want guidance concerning what to do about a drinking or drug problem.

Be strong in the Lord,
Jim Battle

rturner76 · Jan 5, 2014

Johnnylee373-
I don't think it is MANDATORY that people go to a 12 step program but I can say you increase your chances of making it about 100x not 10 but 100. Many people don't like to give themselves over to a power greater than themselves but that what we did when we gave ourselves to the bottle all those years. It's just that the program of AA of other 12 step programs ask that you give your will over to God instead.

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become
unmanageable.
Are you able to have just one drink and not crave another one? Not me.....It was a step I was able to take with all honesty
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to
sanity.
I think you were already saying you believe this and so do I. All these steps are here to do is get you closer to God
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him.
This is where the steps begin to take action. I don't see how this conflicts with the actions you are already taking.

The way I see it I can keep doing things my way and keep getting the same results. Then I could try some things somebody else has done that worked for them and see if they work for me.

Just something to think about like what is it about the 12 steps that you don't like?

Hammster · Jan 29, 2014

I've been sober since '96. I've not been to any step program. I do focus on my walk with Christ, though. And my church family is aware of my past.

Alcohol abuse is a sin issue. And like any sin issue, it needs to be dealt with through the Gospel.

MadamImAdaminChrist · Feb 4, 2014

Jonnylee373 said:
I welcome your thoughts and insights on this issue. God bless you in advance.

Jonathan

Congratulations on firm resolve to do this!

I also think that a 12-step program is neither necessary nor sufficient. I do think it would be helpful, though. ANd it could be a real growth experience. There is nothing magical about 12 steps. There is something powerful in admitting that you cannot do it on your own, and God CAN do it through you, and ALLOWing him to do it through you.

Something that has helped me is the book by Mike Quarles:
One Day at a Time: The Devotional for Overcomers

jimbattle · Feb 4, 2014

Hi Jonathan,

As a Christian, I do not have the right to place what I think above what God's Word says about a thing. And the Bible makes it clear that God does not approve of the origin, basic teachings, and basic practices of 12-step programs. 12 Step programs are an anti-Christian religion. This link will take you to a book that will prove all of this to be true. 12 Steps to Destruction: Codependency Recovery Heresies

chrisstavrous · Mar 28, 2014

Jonnylee373 said:
I searched for any information on recovery without participating in a step program and couldn't find anything. My question is why do I need to go through a step program.

I ended my relationship with alcohol on December 23, 2013, and cigars on the 26th. One of the only reasons I drank was because I was bored and then it became a habit, but the most important reason was that I wasn't serious about my relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ.

Every time I drank it was out of habit and sometimes I really needed to convince myself and prepare my mind to drink. The next day I was of course hung over, but more importantly, separated from God. Over the last two years I've been praying that the Father would draw me closer and help me to stop this insane, disobedient behavior. The closer He drew me, the more I realized I could no longer serve two masters. Consistently spending time in His Word really helps a lot.

If I was truly a child of the King, I had to stop drinking alcohol and smoking so that is what I chose on Dec. 23,2013. Since that day I have not wanted to drink or smoke because I have taken to heart the verse in James 1:12 which states: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

I know I will have days when it seems like everything is falling down around me, and maybe having someone to talk to would be helpful, but is a step program really necessary?

I welcome your thoughts and insights on this issue. God bless you in advance.

Jonathan

Theres two ways to give up addiction, either trust a higher power can do it for you or trust that you can do it for yourself. The second option is the hardest but if you can trust yourself nothing and no one can take that away from you.

epluribus36 · May 7, 2014

12-step programs are not totally necessary, but they sure are a great place to start, in my humble opinion.

There's AA/NA, of course, and Celebrate Recovery, both of which I'm involved in.

I look at it like this: it's not so much that I used drugs and alcohol. The question is, why did I find it necessary to use those things to make myself feel like a human being? What was really bothering me?

In my case, it was my relationship with my Mother. I worked on that, and of course other maladjustments, and now I won't hardly take Tylenol unless I'm running a fever, because I don't want to feel different than I always do. I love being sober, meeting life head-on, loving God and rejoicing in His grace!

Sheraldo · May 14, 2014

Hi Jonathan,

I hope you remain alcohol free, today, May 14, 2014! You asked a question a while back and I am going to post an answer because it may be helpful to someone out there at some point. I was set free from an alcohol addiction by repentance and turning away permanently from the idol of pleasure that my false god alcohol provided me….

But while in my addiction and when my back was against the wall I discovered a program that I found quite interesting…I don't believe it is a Christian program per se but the man who pioneered this called the addiction "the Beast" and that made all the sense in the world to me…anyways, he has a website called "rationalrecovery.org" and it may be helpful to someone sometime.

Blessings to you Jonathan,

Sheraldo

epluribus36 · May 14, 2014

jimbattle said:
Hi Jonathan,

As a Christian, I do not have the right to place what I think above what God's Word says about a thing. And the Bible makes it clear that God does not approve of the origin, basic teachings, and basic practices of 12-step programs. 12 Step programs are an anti-Christian religion. This link will take you to a book that will prove all of this to be true. 12 Steps to Destruction: Codependency Recovery Heresies

I respectfully disagree. The 12-step program seems to me to be something that introduces a person who is reluctant to embrace religion, to spirituality. Nothing more, nothing less. Where exactly in the Bible are we told that 12-step programs are evil?

epluribus36 · May 14, 2014

Jonnylee373 said:
My question is why do I need to go through a step program.

I would say, because a step program will help you if you work it.

woodpecker · May 21, 2014

The failure rate for the 12 step is very high. I hated the program, clique groups, calling myself an alcoholic at every meeting.... I am a child of God

Find a good group,of men or women in a bible study and let that be your group of support.

Hammster · May 21, 2014

woodpecker said:
The failure rate for the 12 step is very high. I hated the program, clique groups, calling myself an alcoholic at every meeting.... I am a child of God

Find a good group,of men or women in a bible study and let that be your group of support.

I have the same feelings. "Alcoholism" is a sin issue. The gospel fixes that.

epluribus36 · Jun 5, 2014

If one is too proud to identify themselves as an alcoholic or addict, maybe that's part of the problem? Just saying......

DansonPete · Feb 5, 2015

I do have the same situation with you Jonny, Im also an alcoholic for about 8 years now, I also searched for some stuff pertaining to a rehab treatment. Luckily, after a week of surfing on the internet, I already found some drug rehab centers that offer a good treatment service and therapeutic facilities. I dont know if 12 step programs really work, but I think its my only choice and its worth to try right? Nothing will happen if we will not do anything, I dont want to live like this in my entire life. Im planning to move in California tomorrow, hoping that I will be fully recovered and go back here clean and sober. I know God is with me and I have faith that he will lead me to the right path. If you dont know what to do Jonny, just pray and talk to him, he will give you the answer, just always have faith in him. God bless you.

Autumnleaf · Feb 9, 2015

The steps are simple but they are not easy. Most people have too much ego to be teachable... so they keep on doing what doesn't work until they become teachable. Sometimes that never happens, but for the lucky ones it tends to happen sooner or later.

rturner76 · Feb 9, 2015

All I know is before I did the 12 steps I had a lot of self doubt and cravings I did the steps and I don't suffer from cravings any more. The steps have 3 basic components. 1 Be wiling to believe in a higher power and turn you problems over to it. 2 Clean out the wreckage of your past. 3 Be of service to others. The steps teach you how to do those 3 things and those 3 things keep me sober One more thing I did the steps with a sponsor. That is very important

epluribus36 · Feb 9, 2015

rturner76 said:
All I know is before I did the 12 steps I had a lot of self doubt and cravings I did the steps and I don't suffer from cravings any more. The steps have 3 basic components. 1 Be wiling to believe in a higher power and turn you problems over to it. 2 Clean out the wreckage of your past. 3 Be of service to others. The steps teach you how to do those 3 things and those 3 things keep me sober One more thing I did the steps with a sponsor. That is very important

Good job, rturner76, and God bless you. Always great to hear of a success story. Seems like there are too few who "keep coming back", it breaks my heart!

epluribus36 · Feb 9, 2015

Autumnleaf said:
The steps are simple but they are not easy. Most people have too much ego to be teachable... so they keep on doing what doesn't work until they become teachable. Sometimes that never happens, but for the lucky ones it tends to happen sooner or later.

You said a mouthful, Autumnleaf, in my humble opinion. I have a friend who has been sober for many years, but he still always has to be making fun of someone, then laughs very loudly like "ooh, look how clever I am!" He's realizing his put-downs of others say a lot about him, and is figuring out why he doesn't have many friends and is so miserable. In other words, he's becoming teachable.

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