Going to Meetings?

[Demandie]

To: Everyone
My name is Mandie.  I'm an addict.  I spent 12 years drunk, finally went to rehab and stayed sober for 2yrs.  It's imprtatnt to me that I tell you that I have not had a drink in over 5 years.  I thought that I was just an alcoholic.  I didn't take the advise of my sponsor, or everyone that I met at my AA meetings.  I faithfully went to AA at least 3 X a week for well over 3yrs.  
Anyway, I didn't tell the DR. I was an alcoholic.  To make a long story short, I am now an opiod addict and now on Suboxone since 02/20/08(my new sobriety date).  Everyone of my friends and even my sister are active in recovery, and in AA.  Even New Years' Eve is always spent with our friends from AA.  We belong to a "Club" where we meet for meetings every week.
Though I've been to NA, I prefer the fellowshiop of AA.  Both programs are the same, but the people seem to be different.
This is what I want all of you to know, though people are not supposed to be judgemental in either of these recovery programs, they are human and some are judgemental.  I have found that when I've told people(both in AA and NA), even my closest of friends, that I am on suboxone, they do not consider me SOBER.
My husband (also in recovery for Alchohlism and sober almost 10yrs), his sponsor even told him that "until Mandie gets really sober, your marriage will not work".
So be very carefule with what you decide to share.  I have to tell you, I am very honest about what I take.  If someone wants to judge me, I allow them too.  The problem is for people that are very new to AA or NA.  They could be scared away by these judgemental people.  I've been around the program for years and I understand why people are biased and it does not effect my recovery.  But there are people out there that believe if you are putting ANY mind altering, mood altering drug in your body then you are not sober.
I probably used to believe that.  How closed minded of me.  I now truly understand the horrors of opiod addiction.
These AA's and NA's are not bad people, just the opposite.  But like I said, they are human, therfore, fallible.
Good luck to eveyone.  Remember:
One day at a time
Take it Easy
First things First.
Love,
Mandie

[worried878]

My group is not judgemental at all!....it is an AA group but narc people are welcome and we have people pop in that are on sub as well.....it is not a place to be judged and i think that is getting a bit analytical...then they go out and light up a cig...not cutting nicotine but it affects more receptors than narcotics or alcohol...and has been proven to be harder to quit...but people are doing it/kicking tobacco in increasing numbers...i guess coffee would be out as well as caffeine is considered a drug...just can not get that analytical...we are all in this together

[triedeverymed]

I had the same experience in AA so I stopped telling people I was on the sub program. It was between me and my sponsor. Some of the AA NAzi's won't let you take a CLaritin much less Suboxone.
My doctor told me that my time on Sub counted as sober time. It's all about individuals and their ideas of what's sober and what's not. I chose not to count my time on Sub but if I did I would have almost 5 years instead of almost 4.
It's such a silly technicality it's almost not worth discussing, don't you think? I feel that if you are not using drugs or drinking why does it matter that you are in treatment?
Many AA'ers don't believe in antidepressant or bipolar medications either.
I say take what you want from AA and leave the rest behind. It's worked for me and I love AA.
As long as your recovery is going as planned then the rest shouldn't matter.
Good Point! I wish more people attended meetings, the fellowship is wonderful!!
Best of luck to you!!