If you are an atheist in recovery, you may feel isolated. A higher power is often associated with mutual support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. But the truth is that there are many ways to benefit from these groups and stay sober, even for those who do not believe in a higher power.

Here are a few ways in which you can also benefit from them:

1. Be honest about your non-belief

Make sure, to be honest about your viewpoints from the beginning. If you aren’t upfront about your beliefs, you won’t meet someone who shares the same beliefs as you do. Alcoholics Anonymous doesn’t need you to believe in a certain way. Most people in this group are welcoming and open to both agnostics and atheists. It is usually only a handful of people who give a hard time.

2. Avoid jumping to judgment

Avoid judging Alcoholic Anonymous by the first meeting you attend. Keep in mind that every meeting is different. Just because one meeting didn’t go well doesn’t mean you should stop attending it. Try giving it another shot. You can also try other different meetings that close with the Lord’s Prayer. Although these meetings can be uncomfortable for an atheist, you can consider being there quiet as the other members pray.

3. Focus on other people

In alcoholic anonymous meetings for atheists, concentrate on your connection with others instead of a higher power. Your higher power should be the people in your group. It is their experience that will support and help your desire to stay sober. You will feel uplifted after an AA meeting, thanks to the emotional high you will get from the support of other members. Others may feel the same about you. To be honest, language is the most important thing in these meetings. You are doing the same thing, but you are describing it differently. Also, consider focusing on the actions behind every word and appreciate the language as a way to transfer ideas without taking them in a literal sense.

4. Connect with other atheists

Even if you are in a 12-based treatment based program, you can still benefit from it in several ways. You will be able to find other atheists in traditional Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Suppose you do not want to attend the conventional AA meetings. In that case, you can also find atheist Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, podcasts, and various events where you can comfortably connect with like-minded people undergoing recovery.

Bottom line

People in mutual support groups have a lot of things in common. Whether your ultimate goal to sobriety involves a higher power or not, the benefits of support, connection, acceptance, honesty, and accountability are infinite. Joining daily reflections AA today can help you stand strong in sobriety.