Hmm. It is hard.

I guess that when it really is 'one day at a time' then the little slogans can help. It can get to the point that they automatically occur to you and help counter some of the other (more detrimental) automatic thoughts / behaviours that get us into trouble...

But there comes a point where you move forward and try and live your life. I always feel a little sad when I hear of people who 5 years + or 10 years + or 20 years + are still living their life thinking that they can only get by because of their group attendance. I know some people hang around to help others for the most part and sometimes become addiction therapists (or play that role informally).

I guess drugs and alchohol can become a habitual way of coping. They help numb the emotions. After a time of not using the feelings can come back full force. It can be hard.

I also think that there can be a lot of diversity between the different chapters / meeting groups. With respect to how much they get through 'one day at a time' with the slogans and with respect to how much credance they give to the program 'as written' with respect to working through the steps and the like.

My main problems with AA / NA were the steps which became progressively more oriented towards something approximating the christian god. I know they typically say that your higher power can be your bedpan, but it seems a little silly to be confessing your sins to your bedpan (a requirement of a later step). My other problem was the notion of addiction as a 'lifelong disease' instead of a problem with behaviour. I think that it is up to the individual to decide (over time) whether they can be an occasional user or whether total abstinence is the best way for them. I don't think that there is anything at all that is 'inevitable' about one drink then the slippery slope back to death and despair.

I also have a problem with the courts requiring people to attend AA / NA programs (sometimes as a way of avoiding jail or as a way of reducing jail time or whatever). IMHO that constitutes the state prescribing a religious program.

End rant...