Customer Reviews

SOS Sobriety/12 Step Program

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For anyone frustrated with Alcoholics Anonymous and 12 step spiritual programs, this book presents an alternative. James Christopher has started a recovery support program which does not mandate a higher power nor focusing on improving your character defects, etc. His is a "sobriety priority" which challenges the rigid dogma of AA which hasn't changed since 1935. Christopher's program is accepting of scientific understandings, current behavioral therapies and other approaches that help maintain sobriety. They do not, however, support any form of controlled drinking. I really appreciated finding a program that is providing support outside of the AA/Alanon spiritual structure and I could agree with almost everything written in the book. However, at times it seemed polished into a sales presentation. Although some parts of the book tried very hard not to criticize AA, and some of the SOS members still attend AA meetings, there were times when there was a lot of AA bashing. Rather than offer an alternative, they seemed to be suggesting that theirs is a better program. It seemed a bit of a stretch to say that AA is supported by the alcohol industry to prevent a new temperance movement. That may be true, but it isn't necessary to establishing a secular support system for maintaining sobriety. Anyone who is used to "take what you like and leave the rest" can do that with this book and will find much food for thought. I'd love to attend one of their meetings, but they are not available nationwide.

Although religiously anathema, the contents still reflect equal dogma presented by AA -- a mere difference in focus and thus not helpful. I do NOT recommend.