Over the past seven decades, millions of people worldwide have found sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous and similar 12-step programs.

But just as the “one size fits all” clothing doesn’t necessarily fit everyone, the traditional 12-step groups don’t meet the needs of every alcoholic or addict.

Some people in northeastern Oklahoma have turned to SOS – Secular Organizations for Sobriety, or Save Our Selves – as a method to become sober and stay sober.

“Larry H.,” a member of two SOS groups in Tulsa, discussed the organization during the adult forum Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tahlequah. Larry made literature available for those who may want to form an SOS group locally.

“SOS is kind of a friendly alternative to the traditional 12-step groups,” said Larry, who has been sober more than 22 years.

He said SOS stresses open-mindedness and tolerance, listening to other views, and developing one’s own program for recovery.

Many people are familiar with the original 12-step recovery program, Alcoholics Anonymous, developed by Bill W. and Dr. Bob S., and their early associates, during the 1930s. Participants taking the first step admit they are powerless over alcohol – or drugs, or whatever is the group’s object – and that their lives have become unmanageable.

AA stresses a spiritual approach to recovery, and emphasizes that it is a spiritual program, not a religious one. Many people in the program say they have discovered their spirituality through working the steps.

Chapter 4 of “Alcoholics Anonymous,” known as the “Big Book,” is titled, “We Agnostics,” and discusses how many people in recovery through AA, although not initially professing any religious belief, achieved spirituality through open-mindedness.

However, some people are put off by the trappings of many AA meetings, including forming a circle, holding hands, and reciting the Lord’s Prayer at the conclusion of meetings. People have felt uncomfortable if they do not participate in these activities, and this is one thing others have told him upon discovering SOS, Larry H. said.

According to SOS literature Larry distributed, the movement began in 1985 with an article by James Christopher, published in Free Inquiry magazine. Christopher said he believes sobriety can be achieved through personal responsibility and self-reliance.

In 1987, the California court system recognized SOS as an alternative to AA when ordering offenders to participate in a program. The Veterans Administration also has adopted a policy prohibiting mandatory participation in “programs of a religious nature,” according to the pamphlet, “An Overview of SOS.”

“In SOS, we have a mixture,” Larry said. “We have people who believe in God, people who don’t believe in God. Some people also attend AA or NA [Narcotics Anonymous], others don’t. About half of them will be in 12-step groups.”

Some people have become sober through SOS, just as through the other programs. But, as in all programs, there are those who stray from the course and relapse.

“It’s not a structured program; it’s more of a support group,” Larry said.