After nearly 28 years of sobriety and countless inquiries, I'm finally sharing my honest thoughts about Alcoholics Anonymous. This deeply personal episode explores why, as a Catholic woman, I ultimately needed something beyond what AA could provide.
AA gave me structure, language, and community when I desperately needed it. God used it to guide me toward sobriety when I had nowhere else to turn, and for that, I'll always be profoundly grateful. Yet as my faith deepened, I began noticing disconnects that I couldn't ignore – the vague "higher power" language, the continuous self-identification as "an alcoholic," and the repetition of powerlessness that eventually wore on my spirit.
This isn't about choosing sides or claiming one path is universally better than another. There are thousands of ways to recover from addiction - and the best one, is the one that works for YOU!

AA serves vital purposes for countless people. But if you've felt uncomfortable or questioned whether there's room for your Catholic faith in your recovery journey, you're not alone. Asking these questions isn't a betrayal – it might be the Holy Spirit inviting you into something deeper, more aligned with who God created you to be.
Visit thecatholicsobrietycoach.com to learn more about faith-centered approaches to sobriety or connect on Instagram @thecatholicsobrietycoach to continue this important conversation.

Resources:

Sister Ignatia: The Nun behind Alcoholics Anonymous:
https://aleteia.org/2017/09/22/sister-ignatia-the-catholic-nun-behind-alcoholics-anonymous/

Deliriants and Spirituality: AA Founder Bill Wilson’s Path to Sobriety
https://www.samwoolfe.com/2024/03/aa-founder-bill-wilson-psychedelic-sober.html

Alcoholics Anonymous has it origins in the occult

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