Can a Catholic go to Alcoholics Anonymous?

[angieob]

Struggling with addiction somehow brought me back to the Catholic faith I grew up in. Now I have too much trouble listening to the AA version of God being just anybody’s version of a ‘higher power’ - it is just unpalatable to me now. But I know I need their understanding of addiction to help me. Or do I?
Is there something in Scripture/the Catechism/ the Church that I am overlooking? What do I need to do in my faith to overcome this without non-church groups?
Very lost and confused, please help.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Actually, there were Christians who were involved in the creation of AA. It’s not as secular as you might think. Father Edward Dowling, S.J. and Sister Mary Ignatia Gavin were instrumental in the early development of AA. See:

suite101.com/article.cfm/6549/38260

My own Dominican provincial superior, Fr. Emmerich Vogt, O.P. has a ministry to people with addictions with his “12-Step Review.” I encourage you to check out his website for support:

12-step-review.org/

There you will find the Catholic side of AA.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.