Outpatient, inpatient, or "just" AA

runnergirl · Senior Member

Outpatient, inpatient, or "just" AA

kld47 · Senior Member

Hi

I have 7 Years sober time, since June 2002.

For some people it depends on the severity of the addiction. The evaluation will/can tell which is more suited for your needs.

Some places it depend on what you and your insurance can afford. Some employers will allow time off for inpatient others will not.

If you are working check before doing any program--I learned the hard way--I was told by employer that they would pay for half of a six month outpatient, then 2 months into the program was told I was not covered--then the place I was using said treatment could not continue until something was paid on the account--we are talking $2,365.00 here for 2 months.

I had to reevaluate what and how I was going about things--the best was talking to my sponsor at the time and then her sponsor also--I have made it this far with just AA, Family and Friends.

Dodsworth · Senior Member

Karen pretty much sums up what I was going to say.

The first time I attempted to quit drinking I went the inpatient route. For me, that was a wise decision because I wanted to break the cycle and the physical aspects of withdrawal were such that reverting back to a drink was easier, or so I thought.

The fact that the alcohol counselor recommends every person with an alcohol "problem" into some kind of program sounds like good counseling to me! (hence the word "problem") ;)

Nipping this thing called alcoholism in the bud and going to AA are sort of separate concepts. If any of us had nipped it in the bud, we wouldn't be hanging around or participating in the program of AA. Just a thought.

kj · Veteran Member

I have never been to an inpatient treatment center -- I have participated in lots of outpatient resources - although not a true outpatient program and fully in the AA program.

As has been said - different strokes for different folks. Address where you think your threshold is -- do you need total immersion in a 24/7 lifestyle free from triggers? Will once or twice a week in group being intense on being honest with a compliment of AA meetings work while still engaging in "normal" life -- or will AA on it's own (fully active in 90 mtgs/90 days or more, sponsor etc) -- be honest with your self. If you need 30+ days to change inherent triggers/roles do it.

As far as the counselor recommending thier own program -- let's hope they believe in the program they have available... yes, and job stability. But don't take away from the professionalism of someone to assess you and recommend a path. There are no toasters at the end of the month for the counselor :)

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Hi runnergirl.

I did Not go to a treatment program but I did struggle to get sober initially and it took me two years of going to meetings (but not participating in sponsorship or the steps, or the fellowship) to finally "get it".

It's good that you caught this problem, as you say, "early on", however you still have some hills to climb and rivers to cross before you're out of the woods on this. It's harder than you may think and the obstacles are invisible to the uneducated eye. That's why your counselor recommended outpatient treatment for the education on the disease of alcoholism. It's basically going to give you a lot of information quicker than you'd pick it up by just going to meetings. Some things you may never learn in meetings. But if you are a avid reader, you can learn a lot by reading on your own in conjunction with some serious participation in AA.
A must read is "staying sober" by Terrance Gorski. In there you'll learn about post acute withdrawal syndrome. If you search this forum for "Paws" you'll find several threads about it and quotes from the book.

-- Edited by StPeteDean on Friday 18th of December 2009 05:27:19 PM

-- Edited by StPeteDean on Tuesday 22nd of December 2009 07:46:04 AM

Aquaman · MIP Old Timer

No inpatient treatment.
Shrink every other week.
Meetings 4-5/week.
Daily reads from "reflections" & "12x12".
Sponsor via phone once per week or as needed.

That's what's workin' for me. Oh yeah, and LOTS of prayer, acceptance, willingness & taking care of Self.

Best,
Rob

Dave Harm · Senior Member

I did outpatient for well over a year - which was an intense study of the 12 Steps and went anywhere from 4 - 10 meetings a week...

pinkchip · MIP Old Timer

I went with pure AA but did it with complete surrender from the start. There were more than 90 meetings in 90 days...it was more like 130 in 90 days I think. On weekends, which were the hardest due to idle time and old habits, meetings were 2 or 3 times a day. I did all of this while never missing a day of work. I recall there was a time as I was in the 80 day range where I had to miss a meeting cuz I was made to take a 40 hour training for work over a weekend and the training went from 7am to 11 pm...it was sucky and I was on the phone with my sponsor several times during the breaks. Thankfully, he didn't make me start the 90/90 over because it wasn't a "true" 90/90...whatever. It wouldn't have mattered if he did cuz I'm pretty sure I made 90/90 after that at some point anyhow. I'm pretty sure I hovered on the brink of needing rehab as close as a person possibly could without actually doing it. But of course that is my own "oh so special...only me" sort of alcoholic thinking probably. Any one of the options you discussed could work but it depends on you dedicating yourself to the program and working it as hard as you can.

Mark

ljc · MIP Old Timer

I have never been to a treatment center. Ive never done out-patient counselling. I have never detoxed in any type of facility either. ( not that I shouldn't have tho ).

Strictly AA ... I got a BB, got a sponsor, started working the steps with my sponsor and as a result of that learned how to rely on God to keep me sober one day at a time - For a little over 5 yrs now.
I was suicidal at my last drunk. So, it was do it or die. I had to become willing ... and I did and I still am today.

Bob K · Senior Member

I went to an inpatient treatment center. I am a chronic alcoholic who always thought tomorrow I can make it work. I was near death when I checked in, either from drinking or from my own hand. I honestly know had I not gone for the 30 days I would not have been able to stay sober for those 30 days so that gave me a clean start on my way to my now 21 years sober.