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Staying Sober Without God: The Practical 12 Steps to Long-Term Recovery from Alcoholism and Addictions
Do you want to get sober without adopting the belief in God that is often pushed in AA, NA, and other 12-step meetings? Do you want a practical, no-nonsense, psychology-based approach to sobriety that is rooted in down-to-earth principles and actions? Staying Sober Without God is a guide that will help you do just that.
Staying Sober Without God provides an overview of alcoholism, drug addiction, and behavioral addictions along with a new version of the 12 steps referred to as The Practical 12 Steps. These steps, written by a recovering addict and licensed psychotherapist, are adapted from the original 12 steps. They contain the original wisdom of the 12 steps without any reference to God or the supernatural.
Staying Sober Without God also provides guidance in areas that the original 12 steps don't fully address such as physical health, seeking outside help, and effective communication. The end result is a robust, well-rounded guide to a balanced recovery lifestyle that can help you stay forever free from your compulsive behaviors if you choose to be.
Finally, there is a path to recovery for the rest of us.
Staying Sober Without God provides an overview of alcoholism, drug addiction, and behavioral addictions along with a new version of the 12 steps referred to as The Practical 12 Steps. These steps, written by a recovering addict and licensed psychotherapist, are adapted from the original 12 steps. They contain the original wisdom of the 12 steps without any reference to God or the supernatural.
Staying Sober Without God also provides guidance in areas that the original 12 steps don't fully address such as physical health, seeking outside help, and effective communication. The end result is a robust, well-rounded guide to a balanced recovery lifestyle that can help you stay forever free from your compulsive behaviors if you choose to be.
Finally, there is a path to recovery for the rest of us.
173 pages, Paperback
Published January 6, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 22, 2022
This is my second time reading all the way through this remarkable guide to staying sober and clean. Applying the 12 steps without a religious concept has worked for me. There is no judgement on anyone's faith nor people's beliefs; it's a support group and doing what works for you. I go through this book doing my 12 steps where I am today and practice each one on a daily basis and it's working for me. I need all the help I can get during this Pandemic and the isolation I am in. Whatever Works!
March 21, 2020
Learning a new perspective for those whom are agnostic or atheists but want to work the twelve steps for the ability to stay sober and clean; this is a more in depth, eye opener. It gives a willingness to be fully open minded, compared to having faith in an unseen force shoved down your throat and not taking responsibility for our condition and of our recovery. For me it has shown how it's my reactions, my decisions, and ultimately the individual to take responsibility for recovery. I learned more about myself than I've ever seen before. So much insight on a level we can understand. This book could profit open minded people who believe in the Christian God or any other one. It's not written in any way to take anyone's beliefs from them!
September 10, 2019
On a summer night in 1988, shortly after my 26th birthday, I was sitting in a smoke-filled room in Kansas City, Kansas. It was a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. I had been attending meetings for weeks, and I was becoming ever more discouraged with the constant talk of spirituality. No longer capable of tempering my frustration, I told the people at the meeting, something to the effect, “I have serious problems, and I need real answers!” My desperate plea was met with someone tossing the book "The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions" my way and shouting at me, “This is your solution!”
"Staying Sober Without God: The Practical 12 Steps to Long-Term Recovery from Alcoholism & Addictions," by Jeffrey Munn was written to help people like my younger self, and if you are an agnostic, atheist, or otherwise secular in your worldview, and struggling with the 12 steps, this book was written for you too.
This is a practical manual for recovery that stresses not just the 12 steps, but also the importance of self-care, seeking help from mental health professionals, and finding a recovery community for support. Jeffrey’s interpretation of the 12 Steps emphasizes building a healthy lifestyle, and he provides practical suggestions for working each step to bring this about. Recognizing the steps don’t address everything needed for a viable recovery plan; Jeffrey also writes about the importance of sleep, exercise, physical health, interpersonal communication, and relapse prevention.
Jeffrey introduces the book and himself by describing how addiction to drugs and alcohol quickly landed him at rock bottom and motivated him to attend his first 12-step meeting. As he continued attending meetings, he noticed his life was improving. He made new friends, learned new coping skills, and he became ever more optimistic about his future. However, there was one problem…the god bit. He writes on page two:
"The only thing that nagged at me was the constant talk of God. He was mentioned by some name or another in half of the steps and nearly every member had brought him up at some point while sharing during meetings."
Agnostic since the age of eleven, Jeffrey simply couldn’t square this Higher Power talk with his worldview, so eventually he stopped going to 12-step meetings, which ultimately led him to a relapse after two and a half years of sobriety.
Realizing that he needed to get back into recovery, Jeffrey went to an inpatient treatment facility where there was never a mention of God. Instead, he was helped to address the mental and emotional trauma that fed his addiction. This experience was life-changing, and shortly after leaving treatment, he enrolled in graduate school, and went on to earn a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
Attending 12-step meetings while earning his master’s degree, Jeffrey learned to place the experiences he heard from 12-step members within the context of sound psychological principles, which eventually gave rise to this work. His experience as a secular person in recovery, his understanding of the 12 Steps, and his education in clinical psychology, make Jeffrey the perfect author for this book.
Too often, nonbelievers are encouraged to find a metaphor for God. It could be ‘good orderly direction,’ or ‘group of drunks.’ And if those don’t work, how about a doorknob? Jeffrey makes no bones about it, and defines God as “any supernatural being or force that is capable of directly intervening in your life.” Certainly, there is nothing practical about that.
Chapters two and three offer an interesting discussion about addiction and recovery.
Addiction is defined simply as “the experience of not being able to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior despite a genuine desire to stop.” On page 16 Jeffrey writes:
"…addiction, like most things exists on a spectrum. Some people have a much harder time controlling their addictive behaviors than others. Some need treatment and some seem to be able to do it with minimal assistance. It’s not black or white. If you’ve had the experience of not being able to fully control a behavior despite wanting to, then congratulations, you’re part of the club."
Recovery is defined as “the life-long process of improving your overall mental and emotional health so as to minimize the harm and suffering you inflict on yourself and others.” The book describes this as a process that takes place slowly over time.
Jeffrey believes the principles described by the Twelve Steps are well-grounded and beneficial, but the original verbiage turns many people away from giving them a try. The Practical Twelve Steps were designed to empower the individual and are viewed through a lens that focuses on psychology rather than spirituality.
Before working the steps, Jeffrey recommends that a person be evaluated by a mental health professional because oftentimes, addiction will coexist with other mental health concerns.
Interestingly enough, Jeffrey points out that stopping the addictive behavior does not always precede working through the steps. He cites the experience of AA co-founder Dr. Bob, who didn’t stop drinking until after he made amends. Still, Jeffrey recommends that a person stop the addictive behavior as early in the process as possible.
The Practical Twelve Steps and the suggestions for working them are presented in the fourth chapter. The first step sets the stage, but unlike the traditional step, there is no mention of the addictive substance. Instead, it is phrased to describe the problem of addiction itself.
"Admitted we were caught in a self-destructive cycle and currently lacked the tools to stop it."
The second and third steps involve trusting that a healthy lifestyle is attainable and making a commitment to attain it. The suggestions for working the first three steps are similar to the original version in that they involve self-reflection, writing, and communicating with a fellow in recovery. Jeffrey finds writing to be personally helpful and he recommends it often, though stressing that it is not required to work most of the steps.
Steps four through nine are similar to the original version in that the focus is on self-examination, building character, and repairing the harm done to others.
One aspect of the inventory process that I found unique was how Jeffrey addresses the fear inventory. He describes this on page 62. “The fear list consists of three columns: what you fear, a core belief that drives this fear, and a reality-based replacement belief.” Jeffrey then goes into more detail about this, which is very helpful.
The practical version of Steps Six and Seven are much more helpful than the original version that simply expects a deity to remove what are referred to as character defects. In the practical version, character defects become character traits, and rather than focusing on removing the unhealthy character traits, Jeffrey recommends adding healthy traits.
The amends steps are also treated similarly to the original version, but Jeffrey believes in living amends when necessary. Additionally, he stresses that an amend should be avoided if it causes harm, including harm to the one who is making the amend.
Steps ten through twelve are considered the maintenance steps, and Jeffrey places a lot of emphasis on Step Eleven, which he phrases simply as “We started meditating.” Jeffrey is a proponent of mindfulness meditation, and he makes a good case for it. On page 113, he writes:
"… a major factor in our compulsive behavior is the sub- or semi-conscious desire to sooth ourselves due to a persistent state of discomfort or unease. Through mindfulness meditation, we become more aware of this underlying sense of discomfort and actually begin to desensitize ourselves to it."
In Step Twelve, Jeffrey suggests helping others learn how to obtain a recovery lifestyle, and surrounding oneself with healthy people. It is difficult to lapse into an unhealthy lifestyle while teaching and helping others to attain the same. He recommends sponsorship as a means for working this step, but if sponsorship is not an option, he encourages other forms of service. Jeffrey believes that service to others is absolutely essential.
Outside of the steps, Jeffrey provides some practical tools to avoid relapse. One of these is the Personal Craziness Index, which involves a review of some key components of a healthy lifestyle, and rating how well one is maintaining those behaviors.
The final section of the book covers areas that the 12 steps miss. This includes taking care of one’s physical health, improving interpersonal communication, and having fun. Of these three, I thought the topic of communication was the most helpful. Jeffrey lists three categories of communication: passive, aggressive, and passive aggressive. He goes into a good amount of detail about how important it is to learn to communicate more openly and honestly.
The book is structured in such a way that it should be read from beginning to end, but it is so well organized that it can also be used as a reference guide. The writing is very good. It is clear and effective at helping a person understand the concepts presented. Jeffrey writes in a style that conveys both the experience of a trained therapist, and the empathy and humor one might find from a friend in recovery. There are a few minor typographical errors, but far fewer than what is usually found in a self-published work. Those errors in no way detract from the book and can be easily corrected in future editions.
I can recommend this book without reservation. It’s not only a valuable resource for a person who is newly sober, but it is just as good for someone who has been in recovery for many years. It’s a great book to read with someone you sponsor, or to read from as a topic at a 12-step meeting. "Staying Sober Without God: The Practical 12 Steps to Long-Term Recovery from Alcoholism & Addictions" is available at Amazon in both paperback and kindle editions.
"Staying Sober Without God: The Practical 12 Steps to Long-Term Recovery from Alcoholism & Addictions," by Jeffrey Munn was written to help people like my younger self, and if you are an agnostic, atheist, or otherwise secular in your worldview, and struggling with the 12 steps, this book was written for you too.
This is a practical manual for recovery that stresses not just the 12 steps, but also the importance of self-care, seeking help from mental health professionals, and finding a recovery community for support. Jeffrey’s interpretation of the 12 Steps emphasizes building a healthy lifestyle, and he provides practical suggestions for working each step to bring this about. Recognizing the steps don’t address everything needed for a viable recovery plan; Jeffrey also writes about the importance of sleep, exercise, physical health, interpersonal communication, and relapse prevention.
Jeffrey introduces the book and himself by describing how addiction to drugs and alcohol quickly landed him at rock bottom and motivated him to attend his first 12-step meeting. As he continued attending meetings, he noticed his life was improving. He made new friends, learned new coping skills, and he became ever more optimistic about his future. However, there was one problem…the god bit. He writes on page two:
"The only thing that nagged at me was the constant talk of God. He was mentioned by some name or another in half of the steps and nearly every member had brought him up at some point while sharing during meetings."
Agnostic since the age of eleven, Jeffrey simply couldn’t square this Higher Power talk with his worldview, so eventually he stopped going to 12-step meetings, which ultimately led him to a relapse after two and a half years of sobriety.
Realizing that he needed to get back into recovery, Jeffrey went to an inpatient treatment facility where there was never a mention of God. Instead, he was helped to address the mental and emotional trauma that fed his addiction. This experience was life-changing, and shortly after leaving treatment, he enrolled in graduate school, and went on to earn a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
Attending 12-step meetings while earning his master’s degree, Jeffrey learned to place the experiences he heard from 12-step members within the context of sound psychological principles, which eventually gave rise to this work. His experience as a secular person in recovery, his understanding of the 12 Steps, and his education in clinical psychology, make Jeffrey the perfect author for this book.
Too often, nonbelievers are encouraged to find a metaphor for God. It could be ‘good orderly direction,’ or ‘group of drunks.’ And if those don’t work, how about a doorknob? Jeffrey makes no bones about it, and defines God as “any supernatural being or force that is capable of directly intervening in your life.” Certainly, there is nothing practical about that.
Chapters two and three offer an interesting discussion about addiction and recovery.
Addiction is defined simply as “the experience of not being able to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior despite a genuine desire to stop.” On page 16 Jeffrey writes:
"…addiction, like most things exists on a spectrum. Some people have a much harder time controlling their addictive behaviors than others. Some need treatment and some seem to be able to do it with minimal assistance. It’s not black or white. If you’ve had the experience of not being able to fully control a behavior despite wanting to, then congratulations, you’re part of the club."
Recovery is defined as “the life-long process of improving your overall mental and emotional health so as to minimize the harm and suffering you inflict on yourself and others.” The book describes this as a process that takes place slowly over time.
Jeffrey believes the principles described by the Twelve Steps are well-grounded and beneficial, but the original verbiage turns many people away from giving them a try. The Practical Twelve Steps were designed to empower the individual and are viewed through a lens that focuses on psychology rather than spirituality.
Before working the steps, Jeffrey recommends that a person be evaluated by a mental health professional because oftentimes, addiction will coexist with other mental health concerns.
Interestingly enough, Jeffrey points out that stopping the addictive behavior does not always precede working through the steps. He cites the experience of AA co-founder Dr. Bob, who didn’t stop drinking until after he made amends. Still, Jeffrey recommends that a person stop the addictive behavior as early in the process as possible.
The Practical Twelve Steps and the suggestions for working them are presented in the fourth chapter. The first step sets the stage, but unlike the traditional step, there is no mention of the addictive substance. Instead, it is phrased to describe the problem of addiction itself.
"Admitted we were caught in a self-destructive cycle and currently lacked the tools to stop it."
The second and third steps involve trusting that a healthy lifestyle is attainable and making a commitment to attain it. The suggestions for working the first three steps are similar to the original version in that they involve self-reflection, writing, and communicating with a fellow in recovery. Jeffrey finds writing to be personally helpful and he recommends it often, though stressing that it is not required to work most of the steps.
Steps four through nine are similar to the original version in that the focus is on self-examination, building character, and repairing the harm done to others.
One aspect of the inventory process that I found unique was how Jeffrey addresses the fear inventory. He describes this on page 62. “The fear list consists of three columns: what you fear, a core belief that drives this fear, and a reality-based replacement belief.” Jeffrey then goes into more detail about this, which is very helpful.
The practical version of Steps Six and Seven are much more helpful than the original version that simply expects a deity to remove what are referred to as character defects. In the practical version, character defects become character traits, and rather than focusing on removing the unhealthy character traits, Jeffrey recommends adding healthy traits.
The amends steps are also treated similarly to the original version, but Jeffrey believes in living amends when necessary. Additionally, he stresses that an amend should be avoided if it causes harm, including harm to the one who is making the amend.
Steps ten through twelve are considered the maintenance steps, and Jeffrey places a lot of emphasis on Step Eleven, which he phrases simply as “We started meditating.” Jeffrey is a proponent of mindfulness meditation, and he makes a good case for it. On page 113, he writes:
"… a major factor in our compulsive behavior is the sub- or semi-conscious desire to sooth ourselves due to a persistent state of discomfort or unease. Through mindfulness meditation, we become more aware of this underlying sense of discomfort and actually begin to desensitize ourselves to it."
In Step Twelve, Jeffrey suggests helping others learn how to obtain a recovery lifestyle, and surrounding oneself with healthy people. It is difficult to lapse into an unhealthy lifestyle while teaching and helping others to attain the same. He recommends sponsorship as a means for working this step, but if sponsorship is not an option, he encourages other forms of service. Jeffrey believes that service to others is absolutely essential.
Outside of the steps, Jeffrey provides some practical tools to avoid relapse. One of these is the Personal Craziness Index, which involves a review of some key components of a healthy lifestyle, and rating how well one is maintaining those behaviors.
The final section of the book covers areas that the 12 steps miss. This includes taking care of one’s physical health, improving interpersonal communication, and having fun. Of these three, I thought the topic of communication was the most helpful. Jeffrey lists three categories of communication: passive, aggressive, and passive aggressive. He goes into a good amount of detail about how important it is to learn to communicate more openly and honestly.
The book is structured in such a way that it should be read from beginning to end, but it is so well organized that it can also be used as a reference guide. The writing is very good. It is clear and effective at helping a person understand the concepts presented. Jeffrey writes in a style that conveys both the experience of a trained therapist, and the empathy and humor one might find from a friend in recovery. There are a few minor typographical errors, but far fewer than what is usually found in a self-published work. Those errors in no way detract from the book and can be easily corrected in future editions.
I can recommend this book without reservation. It’s not only a valuable resource for a person who is newly sober, but it is just as good for someone who has been in recovery for many years. It’s a great book to read with someone you sponsor, or to read from as a topic at a 12-step meeting. "Staying Sober Without God: The Practical 12 Steps to Long-Term Recovery from Alcoholism & Addictions" is available at Amazon in both paperback and kindle editions.
January 1, 2020
A real issues some entrants to the AA program face is what appears to be an obvious contradiction to them, but not to other members: “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking,” paired with religious language peppered throughout the 12 steps. If you have respect for the long history of success of AA in creating a sober life pathway for recovering addicts, but aren’t religious, how do you find a balance?
This was my challenge when I first walked into AA this past year; I’m not hostile towards religion, but the language bothered me. Step 6 is the perfect example of this: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” Without going down a philosophical wormhole about free will, my problem, as I consider a statement like this, is that it removes agency from me, the person living with this issue on a daily basis. There are a million decisions an individual makes every day, and for alcoholics, many of these may put you a step closer to, or step further away from, sobriety.
This book helps to keep the core spirit of each of the 12 steps while rewriting them as empowering statements for proactive self-improvement. This allows someone who is turned off, or unmoved by religious language to benefit from the structure of 12-step programs, which have provided community and support for countless individuals over a long period of time.
This was my challenge when I first walked into AA this past year; I’m not hostile towards religion, but the language bothered me. Step 6 is the perfect example of this: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” Without going down a philosophical wormhole about free will, my problem, as I consider a statement like this, is that it removes agency from me, the person living with this issue on a daily basis. There are a million decisions an individual makes every day, and for alcoholics, many of these may put you a step closer to, or step further away from, sobriety.
This book helps to keep the core spirit of each of the 12 steps while rewriting them as empowering statements for proactive self-improvement. This allows someone who is turned off, or unmoved by religious language to benefit from the structure of 12-step programs, which have provided community and support for countless individuals over a long period of time.
April 14, 2023
Concisely addressed every theistic issue I have with the “big book”, the original AA 12 steps and then some.
September 2, 2020
Very helpful. A good introduction for me to swallowing and adapting to alternative 12 Step interpretations. It really helped me see that I have my own understanding of the steps, and see how I already work them, in an untraditional manner. This book helped me see there’s so much more out there than the big book and e 12 & 12, and that I could be involved in recovery communities without being caged in by 80+ year old text.
April 4, 2022
Written by a recovering alcoholic to me gives the book creditably
I’ve struggled with the God emphasis in AA for the last 17 yrs. We’re told AA doesn’t require you to believe in God but you’re treated like a leper if you don’t join in. This book provides me comfort and support, and perhaps others who struggle with the God emphasis in AA meetings.
I’ve struggled with the God emphasis in AA for the last 17 yrs. We’re told AA doesn’t require you to believe in God but you’re treated like a leper if you don’t join in. This book provides me comfort and support, and perhaps others who struggle with the God emphasis in AA meetings.
October 10, 2024
This book was absolutely perfect for me at the point in my life I am at right now. I have had a few self destructive habits for many years and really wanted to change. I did not understand why I had these weaknesses. I stopped drinking alcohol 7 weeks ago, and it hasn't been easy. I have joined an online community of fellow addicts but God features centre stage in their support system. I have nothing against people worshipping any God they choose, but I am an atheist so using God as a support mechanism really doesn't work for me. Then I picked up this book. What a revelation and huge motivation. I feel that I understand myself more now as to why I drank but I also now have a clearer direction for my journey of self improvement, and I couldn't be happier. Thank you so much Jeffrey Munn.
April 18, 2026
Worked well in our book club meeting. Some controversy, and interesting conversations
Second Review (2026). My Friday morning "book club" meeting read this book. And, it was fun. In the meeting setting, where most of the people were god-believers, this book was at times controversial. Some of the conversations and shares we had around the content were spirited. That said, overall, the book has some very practical advice and an overall pragmatic approach to the 12-steps. So, I think even the theists found some good in it.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: A fantastic version of the 12-steps for atheists, agnostics, or anyone looking for a secular approach. An excellent book that deserves to be used.
I’ve read a couple of other attempts at this: “The secular 12 steps” by Bill W, as well as some of the Buddhist-based 12-step adaptations. This one, however, is the best of them. It should be said that I am, in fact, the target demographic for this book. I'm an artist. And, I'm active in the 12-step programs. In my case, I don't really "need" the book, per se, since my recovery is a few decades old. But, I can see the need for this type of book.
I have no critiques of this book. It is crisp, concise, and includes very clear directions on how to work through the steps. I particularly like the “how do I know if I’m done with this step?” paragraphs, which are usually the last paragraph in the “working” section. Chapter six “what the steps miss” is also an important piece.
It’s probably no accident that the book is 160 pages long, making it shorter than the famous “first 164 pages of the big book of AA”.
Highly recommend it. I understand there is an accompanying workbook, which I’ll need to check out at some point.
Second Review (2026). My Friday morning "book club" meeting read this book. And, it was fun. In the meeting setting, where most of the people were god-believers, this book was at times controversial. Some of the conversations and shares we had around the content were spirited. That said, overall, the book has some very practical advice and an overall pragmatic approach to the 12-steps. So, I think even the theists found some good in it.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: A fantastic version of the 12-steps for atheists, agnostics, or anyone looking for a secular approach. An excellent book that deserves to be used.
I’ve read a couple of other attempts at this: “The secular 12 steps” by Bill W, as well as some of the Buddhist-based 12-step adaptations. This one, however, is the best of them. It should be said that I am, in fact, the target demographic for this book. I'm an artist. And, I'm active in the 12-step programs. In my case, I don't really "need" the book, per se, since my recovery is a few decades old. But, I can see the need for this type of book.
I have no critiques of this book. It is crisp, concise, and includes very clear directions on how to work through the steps. I particularly like the “how do I know if I’m done with this step?” paragraphs, which are usually the last paragraph in the “working” section. Chapter six “what the steps miss” is also an important piece.
It’s probably no accident that the book is 160 pages long, making it shorter than the famous “first 164 pages of the big book of AA”.
Highly recommend it. I understand there is an accompanying workbook, which I’ll need to check out at some point.
November 9, 2019
Great take on secular recovery
This book has the potential to help many, and anybody who finds the God-iness of 12 step recovery to be an impediment to getting clean and getting better. I also loved the additional suggestions for optimal recovery beyond or alongside the 12 steps. A great and easy read. I have already given it to see real addicts. I have 36 years clean and am still willing to learn Thank you Dr Munn for the opportunity
This book has the potential to help many, and anybody who finds the God-iness of 12 step recovery to be an impediment to getting clean and getting better. I also loved the additional suggestions for optimal recovery beyond or alongside the 12 steps. A great and easy read. I have already given it to see real addicts. I have 36 years clean and am still willing to learn Thank you Dr Munn for the opportunity
June 6, 2020
Finally a recovery book I can believe in
For me as an atheist this book is an eye opener. Allowing me to work the 12 steps practically and rationally. I will probably re-read this book many times and use it as a reference when I need it.
For me as an atheist this book is an eye opener. Allowing me to work the 12 steps practically and rationally. I will probably re-read this book many times and use it as a reference when I need it.
April 16, 2024
Excellent (12 step newbie here)
I haven't put the book into action yet, so I can't speak on that, but I am impressed with the quality of writing and the sensitivity and respectfulness the author has.
I just went to my first OA meeting less than a week ago and I started reading the AA Big Book. While interesting and promising, I definitely had my reservations about how I would do the program as an agnostic.
Yes, the original program accounts for agnostics/atheists but it's more like "just fake it for now and eventually I bet you'll come around to believing". I like that Jeffrey Munn's book actually gives concrete actions for working the steps in a secular way. The emphasis is on self empowerment. I feel great about my future with OA! I'm sure after working the steps, I'll be recommending this book left and right.
I haven't put the book into action yet, so I can't speak on that, but I am impressed with the quality of writing and the sensitivity and respectfulness the author has.
I just went to my first OA meeting less than a week ago and I started reading the AA Big Book. While interesting and promising, I definitely had my reservations about how I would do the program as an agnostic.
Yes, the original program accounts for agnostics/atheists but it's more like "just fake it for now and eventually I bet you'll come around to believing". I like that Jeffrey Munn's book actually gives concrete actions for working the steps in a secular way. The emphasis is on self empowerment. I feel great about my future with OA! I'm sure after working the steps, I'll be recommending this book left and right.
Read
May 14, 2026Coming up on 6 months no alcohol and needed perspective, so I picked this little guy up. I appreciate what AA stands for and how much it has helped people in recovery, but personally I was turned off by the overtly religious semantics in their resources. God as I understand him? If I understood him I wouldn’t be in this mess.
This book is pragmatic, and Munn is very careful to emphasize that the best path for the individual is the one that resonates with them the most. The goal isn’t to replace, but to reframe the 12 step formula for the secular.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in sobriety and 12 step programs who has religious trauma, is turned off by popularized western/abrahamic framework for recovery, or who wants to blow their brains out when confronted with the unfiltered reality of a godless existence (me).
This book is pragmatic, and Munn is very careful to emphasize that the best path for the individual is the one that resonates with them the most. The goal isn’t to replace, but to reframe the 12 step formula for the secular.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in sobriety and 12 step programs who has religious trauma, is turned off by popularized western/abrahamic framework for recovery, or who wants to blow their brains out when confronted with the unfiltered reality of a godless existence (me).
August 22, 2020
Make sense style recovery to me , taking responsibility for your sobriety and getting down to business,"Practical actions" process ,I'm 10 years sober and very disappointed in the way a lot of AA has turned into some "wacko right wing cult" Its so bad now,I no longer attend traditional meetings, How many more alcoholics and addicts will they drive out to they're deaths with they're dogma?...who knows?, Interested in applying this knowledge to my own problems in sobriety today. thanks for your hard work Jeffrey,I hope this book saves and changes more lives.
June 1, 2023
I read this book after becoming interested in 12 step programs and the apparent lack of psychologists willing to work with people and groups rather than individually.
Very easy to read and practical book which was written largely from the author's extensive first-hand experience and training. Lots of practical advice for making changes and includes many references to current research.
I really enjoyed how the author retained and explained the positive aspects of the 12 steps while also improving and expanding on them. He was not afraid to point out some of the concepts which are outdated and unhelpful.
Very easy to read and practical book which was written largely from the author's extensive first-hand experience and training. Lots of practical advice for making changes and includes many references to current research.
I really enjoyed how the author retained and explained the positive aspects of the 12 steps while also improving and expanding on them. He was not afraid to point out some of the concepts which are outdated and unhelpful.
November 9, 2025
Essential reading for atheists and agnostics in recovery
A very useful mapping of the traditional 12-steps to analogous actions for those unable or unwilling to rely on supernatural forces for their recovery. If you're stuck on "the god stuff", struggling to identify your "higher power", or just curious about how the steps might be operating on you psychologically, pick up this book sooner rather than later.
A very useful mapping of the traditional 12-steps to analogous actions for those unable or unwilling to rely on supernatural forces for their recovery. If you're stuck on "the god stuff", struggling to identify your "higher power", or just curious about how the steps might be operating on you psychologically, pick up this book sooner rather than later.
March 8, 2026
A fantastic resource for any agnostic, atheist, or anyone at all. I believe this works fantastic when paired with the blue book.
As a sponsor, I use this with anyone who has any doubts about religion. However, if someone is willing or already believes in a higher power, this might not be for that person who needs faith.
Another reason why you might use this is that it's much more pragmatic, easier to read, and generally... less of a bummer.
As a sponsor, I use this with anyone who has any doubts about religion. However, if someone is willing or already believes in a higher power, this might not be for that person who needs faith.
Another reason why you might use this is that it's much more pragmatic, easier to read, and generally... less of a bummer.
May 27, 2022
Even though I am not an atheist, I got a lot out of this book. It is thought provoking and supplements and enriches my program. Glad I read it and will be working the Steps with this book with an atheist sponsee.
March 16, 2022
unique take on a classic program
Not just non religious but in some cases more rational or practical variations than the original 12 steps. Would recommend
Not just non religious but in some cases more rational or practical variations than the original 12 steps. Would recommend
January 17, 2025
FINALLY
I absolutely loved this book. It is so nice to have a non religious, non-god way to follow the 12 steps.
I absolutely loved this book. It is so nice to have a non religious, non-god way to follow the 12 steps.
January 30, 2025
Practical, lucid, helpful. I love this book and will keep referring to this book
February 14, 2025
Probably the most helpful book I've read about recovery.
October 26, 2025
This book hit me right where i needed it. I have been struggling with the steps as an agnostic free thinker and this book helped so much. A great companion in any 12 step program.
January 1, 2025
Best secular 12-step guide I’ve seen
Thoughtful, not argumentative or reactionary, and written by an obviously skilled therapist. I will be recommending this to friends, family and patients who are struggling with “the G word”.
Thoughtful, not argumentative or reactionary, and written by an obviously skilled therapist. I will be recommending this to friends, family and patients who are struggling with “the G word”.
May 8, 2025
A very practical approach to AA/12 step program that takes out the sometimes uncomfortable topic of God. I would recommend to anyone in recovery that is put off by the spiritual approach to recovery.
January 21, 2023
Insightful
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