The main concern of Atheists and Agnostics, when it concerns developing a method for substance abuse recovery, is to take an idea of a “Higher Power” out of the picture. Like many other recovery processes, people who want to cease abusing drugs must establish two things: possess a strong will to arrest their addiction and seek fellowship with caring individuals. Atheists and Agnostics have altered the Twelve Step program, omitting any declaration about God or any mention of the existence of deities. Instead, they stress that the strength to overcome drug addiction can be found internally. They are instructed to seek help from other humans instead of turning to a higher power. Wisdom and other tools for success must come from those who have lived before them, solely taking knowledge from human beings. Recovery from the Atheist and Agnostic perspective emphasizes the ‘self’. Meditation and soul searching is said to aid in finding inner stability and overcoming substance addictions. Although mentions of high powers have been removed from atheist and agnostic addiction treatment programs, the intended results are the same: to enable addicted individuals to recover and live sober free lives.
