Recovery Beyond Belief

What is AA?

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Secular Serenity is a member group of Thunder Bay Alcoholics Anonymous in Northwestern Ontario Area 85

What is Secular AA?

The intention of secular AA groups is to assure those with a drinking problem that they can find sobriety in AA without having to accept anyone else’s religious beliefs or having to deny their own. Secular AA attempts to maintain a tradition of independent thought and free expression. It conducts meetings without prayer and creates a safe space where members are free to express any doubts or disbeliefs they may have, to share their own personal form of spiritual experience, their search for it, or their rejection of it. We do not endorse or oppose any form of religion or atheism.

What about the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous?

The traditional 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are almost 100 years old and can be offensive to those who do not believe in God or a higher power. Many have gotten sober and have long term sobriety without God or a higher power. Secular AA encourages each individual to interpret and adapt the 12 steps to suit their own needs. For more information on the 12 steps and alternatives to the 12 steps, you can start with our list of resources.