Participating in Alcoholics Anonymous As An Atheist
The foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous is the 12 Steps. These are the principles that guide AA and your recovery. If you’re agnostic or an atheist, however, you might find yourself with big questions as you read the Steps. Notably, as soon as the Second Step:
“Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
With a higher power being such a big part of AA, you may be wondering, “Can you be an atheist in AA? What about agnostic?”
You don’t have to believe in God to stop drinking. This resource from Purpose Healing Center will go over the role of a higher power in AA and alternative ways to be supportive, from secular groups to SMART recovery principles.
Is Believing in a Higher Power Necessary to Go to AA?
Many new AA members ask if they have to believe in “all that God stuff” to be a part of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The reality is, even with God being mentioned, you don’t have to be religious. AA is meant for everyone, and the only requirement to be a part of it is having a desire to quit drinking.
What Exactly is a “Higher Power”?
So, what is the “higher power” that comes up so often in the Big Book and discussions of the Twelve Steps? It doesn’t have to be God or a spiritual entity. A good first step is deciding what exactly this higher power means to you.
For example, instead of a deity or God, your higher power might be the Universe, nature, or the AA group. Your higher power could even be your own/best inner self. It doesn’t matter what this power is, as long as belief in it is strong enough to help you stay sober.
What Are Some of the Challenges Atheists Might Face in Alcoholics Anonymous?
When atheists and agnostics decide to get treatment for substance use disorder, it can be hard to escape “God talk” in meetings and discussions of the Big Book. AA meetings might also include prayer or other spiritual practices that you just don’t feel comfortable with.
It’s also possible that you feel you’ll be judged or discriminated against in the program. Even though AA is intended to be a safe place for anyone who wants to escape from the control alcohol has over their lives, not every person in the community might be supportive.
Don’t let the possibility of facing these challenges deter you. You can overcome addiction without following a set religion, and there are groups dedicated to people just like you.
What Does the Section “We Agnostics” in the Big Book Say?
The section “We Agnostics” was written by Bill Wilson, the co-founder of AA. It’s made for non-religious AA members and emphasizes the importance of the belief that there’s something greater than yourself. But this doesn’t have to be religious.
The goal of this section is to emphasize that Alcoholics Anonymous is all-inclusive. Nobody should feel excluded from the program because they don’t follow a certain faith. Wilson didn’t focus on any single religion. He himself identified as an agnostic/atheist before he found spirituality through his own recovery journey.
The premise is that you don’t have to follow a certain faith, but this belief is still important. It can be a driving force that helps you maintain sobriety from alcohol even when it’s hard. This “greater than yourself” is where you turn when the temptation of alcohol feels like it’s too much.
Do I Have to Have Conscious Contact with God to Heal from Addiction?
An important phrase in the 12 Steps is “God as we understood Him.” What does that mean to someone who isn’t necessarily religious?
It means to choose the power that you can have faith in. It only needs to be something greater than yourself that will help you maintain sobriety.
Is There a Better Option for Addiction Recovery for Atheists and Agnostics?
Religion aside, atheists, agnostics, and other non-religious individuals usually find the secular version of AA fits them better. Secular AA is more about spirituality than religion.
SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) principles can also support your recovery. They are about self-empowerment. You build motivation, cope with urges, live a balanced life, and handle tough thoughts and feelings on your own.
What is Secular AA?
A secular AA meeting is made especially for AA members who don’t follow a God or deity. They are AA meetings without any faith requirement. There are no spiritual practices like prayer or mentions of God.
Instead, secular meetings are inclusive. There’s a focus on practicality and the human-to-human experience that can help you recover from alcoholism. The Twelve Steps are also interpreted in a way that resonates with a secular worldview, rather than a spiritual or religious one.
SMART Recovery vs 12-Step Recovery
SMART recovery and the Twelve Steps share the same primary purpose: to support you in your battle against addiction. However, they do it in different ways. SMART recovery is a non-religious, science-based answer for overcoming addiction. It doesn’t focus on accepting a higher power.
In SMART recovery, there’s a greater emphasis on skill-building and self-empowerment. There are four goals that guide your recovery. This includes finding and maintaining your motivation, knowing how to cope with cravings, managing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and leading a balanced lifestyle that supports recovery.
Where Can I Find an AA Meeting for Atheists and Agnostics?
Atheists and agnostics don’t have to go through recovery without support. There are plenty of other options, including secular meetings for AA that are much more inclusive.
The closest secular AA meeting near Phoenix meets Saturdays at 9 a.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. They meet at The Pigeon Coop, 4415 S. Rural Rd., Ste. 8 and 9, in Tempe, Arizona. There are also online meetings that you can check out.
Another great resource is the International Conference of Secular AA, which is being held in Phoenix in November 2026.
Are There Any Ways to Navigate Traditional AA Meetings as an Atheist?
You don’t have to share a belief in a higher power to gain something from more traditional AA meetings. The Twelve Steps have something to gain outside of religion. It’s about being honest, making amends, and being of service to others. You don’t have to be religious to learn from the program.
How Rehab Lays the Foundation for Recovery
At Purpose Healing Center, we are committed to helping you find the road to recovery, no matter what the path might look like for you. This includes laying a solid foundation through 12-step recovery and its key principles.
We use 12-step recovery as part of a well-rounded treatment program. This looks like helping you find motivation and learn coping skills in one-on-one and group counseling sessions. The work you do in therapy helps you learn to manage your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that influence your desire to use. It puts you back in control.
Our holistic approach also lays the foundation for a balanced life that supports recovery. We prioritize things like good sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. In our rehab program, you start to build habits that support your sobriety long after you’ve left Purpose Healing Center.
Find Treatment Support to Fit Your Religious Background at Purpose Healing Center
No two paths to recovery look the same, and religious differences are no exception. You should never feel deterred from getting help because you’re worried that a program will push God or religious beliefs on you.
This is why our team at Purpose Healing Center takes every step that we can to make you feel comfortable. We don’t emphasize religion in treatment for people who will not benefit from it.
You can trust us at Purpose Healing Center with your recovery. We support you every step of the way, from detox to treatment to aftercare, so you never feel alone. Call us today to take the next steps in your sobriety and learn about alternatives to The Twelve Steps that can help you feel more comfortable.
480-579-3319