I am not going to AA currently but remain open to it. I realize this is not a quick fix.
A few points.
You've had an opportunity to go to AA but haven't yet, right? That's OK, that's up to you.
Be aware that there are other treatment approaches out there, both 12-step based and other than. Progams such as Celebrate Recovery, SMART Recovery, Rational Recovery (AVRT), Lifering, SOS, CBT-based, etc., are also available and are gaining adherents. Info about thes are available at various sites, including (Edited - because we do not provide links to other sites - It promotes spam). There is one thing that almost no one disagrees with: living with untreated alcoholism is a wretched existence.
If you are really an alkie, then you want to embark on a long term effort to recovery. Sooner is better than later.
Finally, good luck.
-- Edited by pinkchip on Friday 30th of November 2012 09:18:15 AM
I had posted last week about my problem and wife's insistence that I go inpatient. My decision is made to go inpatient. It will be for at least a week, but we literally have no money to plan on anything longer.
I have had alcohol twice in the past week but remain determined to stop once and for all.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Caron Pennsylvania?
Do you remain open to going to AA afterwards because it's all a big waste in all likelihood if you don't? Are you going to meetings now? All I know is that I stopped drinking through going to AA and following their suggestions. That's probably the same feedback you'll get here. A week of inpatient might help but 90 meetings in 90 days, a sponsor, and stepwork after you get out will help even more.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
It sounds like a lot to commit to, but AA is an awesome way of life. I can't begin to describe how drastically improved my life is and I only went so I could stop being miserable and drinking myself to death. What I have gotten out of it is a lot more.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
I thank you for your thoughts and commitment to this forum. It has been extremely helpful to me. I have a long long way to go. Intellectually I know I can feel better, but am taking it on faith that it will actually happen. AA will be a big step.
A good majority of us have been in similar situations ourselves, not knowing what to do or where to turn. But let the truth be told, there's still a glimmer of hope even for you. It must begin somewhere, however. So your decision to attend a treatment center is a step in the right direction. It's an advantage that does make sense; and it all starts with recovery.Believe me; it can only get better from there.
Let's face it, everyone deserves a second chance. But the key to our survival like others have said is to move forward together. So let us help you do just that, okay; move forward together. Let the journey begin.
-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 30th of November 2012 12:18:10 AM
I did a 22 day rehab. I like to say that it taught me about my disease, and that it dried me out, but it was AA that got and kept me sober. The rehab knew that and had AA meetings as part of its program. Stupid, old wilful me probably would have found a million excuses why I didn't need to go to AA otherwise. And I would have busted in the first month and I'd probably be dead by now.
Putting down the drink - that's easy. Anyone can do that.
Not picking it up again - That's the bit that was killing me.
That's what AA is about. For me it's about having my soul filled with growth and joy, so that I don't try to fill the void with drink.
Because (and I'm being very simple here) what AA is at its core is a bunch of friends that share joy and hope, so we don't have to be alone in our misery.
Very well said mr frodo. I personaly never went to a spin dry. I crawlled in the doors of the local AA cub begging for help and was willing to do anything. The people i know who have made it that did go to treatment echo your pitch. And a few that were fortunite enough to have insurence pay for it say they got a $13,000 big book and directions to the nearest AA room.
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Since it cost a lot to win, and even more to loose, you and me gotta spend some time just wondering what to choose.
To my mind, a good week of decent treatment/education and even "forced" exposure to AA is a great beginning...a win-win...especially when the alternative is to oh-so-easily-wiggle out of ever actually checking out AA, drinking again, and again....
Finally...welcome! One baby step at a time...for only 24 hours. I hope you find your way into AA...it gave me a life I never could have even dreamed of! Good luck!
Going to inpatient is all well and good, BUT that will just help you to not drink for that period of time only ... Hopefully, you'll come to realize that we were spiritually sick when we decided to stop drinking and I hope you see that you are too ... If the problem is not addressed in a spiritual sense, then we usually go on to drink again ... Alcohol use is but a symtom of our disease, here's a little more to it than just not drinking ... GO TO MEETINGS and learn how to get and stay in recovery ...
Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Welcome - I did it without treatment - and lots do it with treatment. Doesn't really matter how you get your start as long as you are willing and remain teachable - you will find teachers. Just depends mostly on how much you want to pay for them ; )
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Aloha Caron and welcome to the board. There is much information and support here and I am both grateful and blessed to be a member. "...as long as you are willing and remain teachable -" is one of the caveats I was also given when I stepped into an AA journey. Being teach able was the definition of humility I was told which was so very very different than being humbled and humiliated by alcoholism. I chose the better definition.
I'm an analytical alcoholic. I can ponder and drink at the same time until of course there is more chemical than brain cells just under my hairline. Being analytical I looked at the 12 steps of the AA program and attempted to take them all in little bites. The very first step, "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable" was broken into two bites and personalized. Was I really powerless over alcohol -and- was my life unmanageable? The second part was the easiest at that time so I could insert a definite "YES". The first part took me more time and kept me standing outside the door of my very next drunk for weeks.
Now you try it.
Keep coming back....
-- Edited by Jerry F on Saturday 1st of December 2012 01:16:33 AM
