Non-religious addiction recovery

September 15, 2022 9:57 AM

Can people recommend addiction recovery resources that don't require acknowledging a "Higher Power."

I need to stop using marijuana. I know it is not addictive in a clinical sense, but it's fucked my life repeatedly, and I cannot stop on my own.

I've found SMART Recovery , but am leery of organizations after a run in with a psych doctor who tried to push Jesus and AA on me real hard in a State-run mental institution.

Does anyone have advice on effective programs that aren't a front for Jesus and/or Pyramid schemes. Or both.

posted by Abehammerb Lincoln to Health & Fitness (14 answers total)

I've read on AskMe that there are AA groups that are secular. Best of luck.
posted by JimN2TAW at 9:59 AM on September 15, 2022 [3 favorites]

This classic 2015 Atlantic article about how there are dozens of more effective treatments than AA mentions naltrexone as a more effective intervention. At least one study has found naltrexone effective at reducing cannabis self-administration too.
posted by xueexueg at 10:14 AM on September 15, 2022 [8 favorites]

So, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse the most strongly evidence-backed treatments for marijuana use are CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and the more addiction-focused MET (Motivational Enhancement Therapy), which appears to be part of the SMART Recovery program.

If you have access to a therapist who practices MET that might be a good start! It sounds like it's usually a short course of sessions, not a lifelong commitment or anything.
posted by mskyle at 10:32 AM on September 15, 2022

Recovery Dharma is Buddhist-informed but it's not necessary to be a Buddhist. From the standard meeting introduction: "This is a program of empowerment and doesn't ask us to believe in anything other than our own potential to change and heal."

The website has information about RD and a listing of meetings (almost 300 online over the week, which can be joined from anywhere, as well as in-person meetings), plus a free online copy of the Recovery Dharma book, so you can check it out to see if it seems like something that would be helpful without needing to buy anything or go anywhere.
posted by Lexica at 10:45 AM on September 15, 2022 [2 favorites]

My partner who bounced HARD off AA and other affiliated programs really likes SMART Recovery. Doesn't mean it's for you but FWIW, I think it would be worth checking out based on my partner's experience.
posted by Stacey at 11:17 AM on September 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: FYI, I'm not knocking AA, it saved my grandfather's life. Really sorry if it came across that way. If it works for a person, I'm glad it works for them. But where I grew up it was very religiously focused, and that doesn't work for me.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:17 AM on September 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

Just saying that yep I've been to Atheist AA meetings, and also sorta Buddhist (non-Diety) AA meetings. They are there. There's the old rubric of "Higher Power" can be just a doorknob, it does keep you... but yeah, those are hard to find. If you really want to go old school, the founder of AA's "Higher Power" would have been each other because they sat around and threatened to shoot each other over backsliding. Once can see why that didn't really last long....
posted by zengargoyle at 12:04 PM on September 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

There are secular 12-step programs, and here is a list of online US meetings.

As an atheist, I attend Al-Anon meetings. They have way too much god talk in them for my taste. But since I get to pick my own higher power, I picked reality. Anyway, you have lots of advice above. I just wanted to offer some links should you have any interest in secular 12-step. If not, no worries. Best of luck with CBT or another tool.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:18 PM on September 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

Harm Reduction Works meetings don’t require any kind of higher power, and also don’t require any attendee to identify as an addict or alcoholic. The focus is more on discussing anything you might want to change in your relationship with substances, whether that’s being more mindful about safe use techniques, using/drinking less frequently, complete abstinence, or any other point along the spectrum.

I’ve gone to open meetings now and then to process the things I’ve witnessed as a professional working within the drug “treatment” system, and always felt welcome there.
posted by ActionPopulated at 1:02 PM on September 15, 2022 [4 favorites]

My friend goes to a Satanic Temple Sober Faction group. She said it's science-based, supportive, and has a ritualistic element she finds useful.
posted by lloquat at 1:25 PM on September 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

memailing you
posted by wowenthusiast at 3:19 PM on September 15, 2022

regarding the "Higher Power" concept, it could be interpreted that the world (existence) is greater than your ego (for some it isn't)..
posted by ovvl at 4:11 PM on September 15, 2022

You might check out Secular Organization for Sobriety.

And while this is anecdotal, I have one friend who was a very heavy user of marijuana who successfully dramatically reduced his use with the help of hypnosis.
posted by brookeb at 9:58 PM on September 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Much appreciated, everyone. I can’t really pick one best answer out of all the great information you provided.

I’m going to my local SMART meeting this week.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 3:07 PM on September 16, 2022 [2 favorites]