Rick B. loves his secular AA group; he's also a regular at one of the largest closed (AA members and people who think they have a problem with alcohol, only) discussion groups in the Ottawa area. There are many newcomers at this meeting. One breakout room is a "beginners group" focusing on Steps One, Two, and Three. As a scientist and educator, Rich offers an evidence-based, scientific method approach, which some atheists refer to as the "woo-woo" steps because of the religious language and ideas of Steps Two and Three.

Links of Interest:

S.O.A.A.R. 2025 site

More about secular AA

Find or contact the Beyond Belief Secular Group of Ottawa

#recoveryposse, #secularAA, #addiction, #recovery, #12steps

Secular AA is AA sobriety that is neither religious nor irreligious, focusing on the practical, humanist tools of Alcoholics Anonymous and borrowed from the wider recovery community. Secular AA is a growing subculture within AA, offering 100 agnostic/atheist/freethinkers AA meetings every day + regional events and the International Conference of Secular AA (ICSAA). More @ https://aasecular.org

On September 27th, 2025, from the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the 2025 version of the Secular Ontario Alcoholics Anonymous Roundup featured a day of panels, speakers, discussions, food, and fellowship. Some of us wouldn't have come to AA if there weren't a secular group to go to - it's vulnerable enough to face our alcohol use issues, secular AA was the only way we felt safe salvaging and honouring our worldview while we faced a drinking problem. Other members didn't find secular AA until they were sober and in the closet for many years. Every journey differs. Hear three panellists followed by some Q& A.

Oliver S, Ottawa, Canada

Margarita A, Phoenix, USA

Andy M, Ottawa, Canada

Links of Interest:

S.O.A.A.R. 2025 site

Read An Alcohol-Free Margarita's 12-step interpretation.

More about secular AA

Find or contact the Beyond Belief Secular Group of Ottawa

Secular AA is AA sobriety that is neither religious nor irreligious, focusing on the practical, humanist tools of Alcoholics Anonymous and borrowed from the wider recovery community. Secular AA is a growing subculture within AA, offering 100 agnostic/atheist/freethinkers AA meetings every day + regional events and the International Conference of Secular AA (ICSAA). More @ https://aasecular.org

September 2025: Secular AA's monthly world-tour of speaker meetings is hosted by the London Atheist, Agnostic, & Freethinkers in AA. Our speakers this month are:

• Paul S,
• Esti (not recorded),
• and Thomas

..with Emma as emcee.

Following these talks is sharing from around our agnostic/atheist/freethinkers AA world. This is an open and welcoming meeting inviting others to share their thoughts about the speakers' shares and should be interesting for anyone, newcomer and long-timer alike (or just curious).

Don't forget! The Virtual International Conference of Secular AA is on Friday, Sep. 19 through Sunday, Sep. 21 and will have dozens of sessions, panels, and speakers and is *free* for all. Check out the program and register now for a ticket and to get the connection information now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1298057588189/

Next month's Secular AA Global Speaker Tour will be featuring the "Savannah Secular Sunday AA Group" from Georgia on Sunday, October 5th with simultaneous translation at:

• 2 pm EST
• 1 pm CST
• 12 pm AZ
• 11 am PST
• 7 pm UK
• 6 am AEDT (Monday)

Everyone is welcome to join our monthly open/public secular AA meeting.

ZOOM ID 864 4074 0033
Passcode 121212
(CON TRADUCCIÓN SIMULTÁNEA INGLÉS<>ESPAÑOL)

For more info on secular AA including Zoom meetings, in-person meetings, and virtual gatherings, check out:
- https://aasecular.org
- secularAA@gmail.com

Secular AA is AA sobriety that is neither religious nor irreligious, focusing on the practical, humanist tools of Alcoholics Anonymous and borrowed from the wider recovery community. Secular AA is a growing subculture within AA, offering 100 agnostic/atheist/freethinkers AA meetings every day + regional events and the International Conference of Secular AA (ICSAA). More @ https://aasecular.org