What you have heard about AA is true, I just want to make a couple clarifications. The first, or one of the first, steps of the alcoholics anonymous famous 12 step program is to submit yourself to a higher power. , but nowadays when it comes up they are quick to emphasize that this does not have to be God. It can be a rock or a pet or object, but their system is built off of that. That you must make yourself accountable to something and let it take over some of the decision making responsibilities. I’ve never been able to see this as anything other than religious thinking and feel it is a distinction without meaning, but if you end up discussing this with proponents of the system be ready for that curve ball. Secondly, to call it the USA system is not correct. It is just one addiction treatment option, though given US religiousity it is the biggest and most will known. Many others are also essentially the same process but a different organization. Where things get tricky is that people that are charged with crimes involving drugs or alcohol are offered leniency in sentencing on condition that they go through an approved addiction program, especially in remote areas AA is sometimes the only option. This has been challenged by atheists and I believe that the courts always end up allowing for them to use a non religious program, but that will only be the people that can afford to make another legal case based on their principals and are able to find an alternative addiction program to enroll in in their area.
What you have heard about AA is true, I just want to make a couple clarifications. The first, or one of the first, steps of the alcoholics anonymous famous 12 step program is to submit yourself to a higher power. , but nowadays when it comes up they are quick to emphasize that this does not have to be God. It can be a rock or a pet or object, but their system is built off of that. That you must make yourself accountable to something and let it take over some of the decision making responsibilities. I’ve never been able to see this as anything other than religious thinking and feel it is a distinction without meaning, but if you end up discussing this with proponents of the system be ready for that curve ball. Secondly, to call it the USA system is not correct. It is just one addiction treatment option, though given US religiousity it is the biggest and most will known. Many others are also essentially the same process but a different organization. Where things get tricky is that people that are charged with crimes involving drugs or alcohol are offered leniency in sentencing on condition that they go through an approved addiction program, especially in remote areas AA is sometimes the only option. This has been challenged by atheists and I believe that the courts always end up allowing for them to use a non religious program, but that will only be the people that can afford to make another legal case based on their principals and are able to find an alternative addiction program to enroll in in their area.