Get God or get out: barriers the nonreligious face in Alcoholics Anonymous

ABSTRACT

Background

Substance use disorders represent a significant public health issue, with prevalence rates steadily increasing. Mutual help support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have long played a crucial role in supporting individuals seeking recovery. However, AA has long been criticized for its religious/spiritual orientation, which may pose challenges for the growing number of nonreligious individuals. This study examines the experiences of nonreligious individuals in AA.

Methods

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 51 nonreligious AA members.

Results

There were five substantial barriers the nonreligius faced in AA: (1) The belief that being nonreligious was a liability and that AA was religious; (2) The religious undertone and “God talk” in meetings; (3) Prayers in meetings; (4) The Big Book; and (5) Discrimination.

Conclusion

The nonreligious experience substantial barriers in AA; thus, there is a need for greater inclusivity and understanding within AA to better support nonreligious individuals seeking recovery.

KEYWORDS:

• Nonreligious
• secular
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• recovery
• secular Alcoholics Anonymous

Acknowledgments

The author was supported as a postdoctoral fellow in the Behavioral Sciences Training in Drug Abuse Research program sponsored by New York University with funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (5T32 DA007233). Points of view, opinions, and conclusions in this paper do not necessarily represent the official position of the U.S. Government or NYU.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.