Aftercare

Just checking...a few months ago I posted this but we have so many members that are new.  Just trying to get a feel for how many of you out there are doing some type of aftercare?  Meetings, private counseling etc?  Last time it seemed the majority did not and to each his own.  After u get going for a 1-2 months clean is often when cravings can hit and we use...takes 90 days for our brains to heal to an acceptable level and can shed most of the depression and anxiety...and much longer to get back to where our brain and receptors were at before....everyone is different...That is where the 90 meetings in 90 days comes from in AA

If you are getting aftercare..let us know what you are doing so others can know.  I go to AA verses NA as I found a home there on Monday nights.  I also use the forum as aftercare and try to post daily

I you are not seeking aftercare, then what is your plan or why is it that you feel you dont need it?  Just curious as I know often it is time that gets in the way and with some it is shame/shouldnt be tho..AA and NA are wonderful organizations and not judgemental

Everyone is making it in their own way....everyone can learn from each other on this mental battle to stay clean..You can go to meetings even while u r tapering or thinking about quitting..it is a good "PUSH" in the right direction.  I heard stories that were heart wrenching and was glad i did not have to reach as low a bottom as some have had to reach before i threw in the towel on drugs

[GoingToMakeIt]

Aftercare is vital to your recovery! So is mega doses of vitamins, supplements and amino acids (If not on antidepressants). People don't understand that their digestive system has also been compromised, so 'normal' doses of vitamins may not be absorbed properly.

AFTERCARE!
VITAMINS! TWICE A DAY!

[girly44]

I started Ala-Non about 7 months ago because of all the addiction in my family, and started counseling about 5 months ago. Last week I went to my first AA meeting, and I read books in the program all the time. I am tapering and I know that being in the program is really what will change my life forever. I agree 100% with you, that everyone, does really need a program to help stay clean long term. I go to at least 2 meetings a week and counseling weekly and I am still struggling a great amount. I don't see how people can do it alone. Their will power must be much greater than mine. Girly

[wannabefree330]

I find that AA works better for me as well, even though there are plenty of NA meetings and my DOC is pills.  I also volunteer at a drug rehab (keeps me remembering the VERY early stages), and use this site as well.  I try to hit 2 meetings a week and in the beginning i made sure I volunteered so I was sort of forced to go--if that makes sense.  Greeter, coffee maker, secretary...whatever makes you go.  Every time I slack off, I relapse.  For me it is a vital part of staying clean.  

[avisg]

Honestly if you plan on staying clean long term you wont be able too without some sort of aftercare . I am not saying you cant go a few months maybe even a year without aftercare. However if you plan on staying clean long term you are going to need some support other then this forum .I think everyone one of the people that I know here that  have remained clean for long periods time all have aftercare .So plz look into something .NA AA therapist a pastor something you deserve a happy long drug free life.

[wanttobeclean]

So far, this is my aftercare...and talking to my doctor about the things that are bothering me (not the drug use itself).  I live in a small town and also have worries about my job if anyone found out I had been using anything.  I do realize the value in NA/AA, but I just can't go there.

[avisg]

Want there are always therapists and pastors other outlets .This is not an aftercare program its a great place for support but I strongly recommend you find some type of local support.Heck I made it 5 or 6 months the first time with no recovery care then I relapsed .I decided after that I need something I went the therapists route ..sept will be a year for me .I dont think I could have made it that long without support.

[cathy5841]

i have just atttnded my first na meeting with my daughter.  it was really nothing like expect..in a good way.  i agree you gotaa have aftercare.  before my na meeting i get counselling with our pastor.  thanks for the reminder....

[addictedme]

To all attending na/aa. Although a couple of meetings a week cant hurt,, both programs are so much more then that. Each program has very definate things they suggest that you do. They say that they"ve never seen a relapse from someone working the entire program on a daily basis but the ENTIRE program. So again ,,any involvement in either program is a plus but if your not doing everything suggested and you use then dont say the program didnt work,,say you didnt work the program.gl all

[worried878]

It really helps me and i need to be going more than once a week sometimes...but Mondays are all I have time for right now...great group of ladies and we meet not far from my house at a church..Sometimes I have to walk thru the room where the church committe is meeting...at first it was kinda humliating as they knew where i was going..doesnt bother me anymore..glad I found the group and it has helped me tremendously

[Coolio Hernendez]

I wish i had....Maybe i would have gone more then 88 days.....I really think after care would have made me stronger..

I remeber the day i caved in i was telling the dude that gave em to me..(brother in law) I was preaching to him about how wrong it was....1 hr later i was on the ill's...

[toxictome]

You know my stance...

"IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT"...(and that's an AA or NA mtg. I'm talking about). LOL

There's so much more than just stopping our drug of choice. It's about changing our thinking and our behavior...and learning to deal w/ life on life's terms.

I have been going to AA for 17+ yrs...at least one mtg. a week..... I stayed sober for 14+ yrs. and then started using pills......been clean 6 months again. I still have not had a drink... nor do I have a desire to. I still crave the pills on occasion...when my life feels out of balance...but I havent' had to use......I contribute that success to attending AA.

[broknbck]

well i guess my aftercare is this forum. i do not belong to any groups, or counseling, or anything. just have made all new friends and have shared with them my experience. after all it is a very big thing that happened to me.

i had 'ideas' of getting a script like 2 months after i quit and was thinking that i would only use it on really bad days that my back hurt. but after throwing my idea out on the forum , hah- i stood corrected. you guys are all so great here and helpful and most important-
understanding.

i come on the forum and hear all the newbies and how scared and hopeless they feel and i want so to help them get that confindence and courage to quit. they are a constant reminder of how awful it will be if i ever go near the stuff again. and it is so awesome when another one finally overcomes!!!

[triedeverymed]

I too go to AA rather than NA. I go 3 times a week usually sometimes four. I did 90 meetings in 90 days when I first got sober and it was a requirement by my doctor. He really knew his stuff.
Aftercare is ongoing and the most important part of recovery in my opinion.
I'm glad you brought it up so newcomers know how important it is for us to stay clean. Getting clean is the easy part, it's staying there that is a daily chore but it does get easier as the years go by!
If your new to sobriety, please, please make sure you have a support group or therapist on a regular basis. AA is great even for addicts because many alcoholics also has pill/drug issues. I have learned that from speaking and telling my story in meetings.
Great topic!!

[triedeverymed]

I'm glad you mentioned Amino Acids, my doc has me on a few and I take them faithfully. To combat depression, Fish Oil is very good! A lot of good research is out there about it and doses of 1000mg-1200mg a day have shown improvement with people suffering from depression. I think we all agree depression usually is a symptom of recovery but it can be beaten with meds and supplements.
Another excellent point!!

[triedeverymed]

You may be surprised at who else you see in AA. It's all confidential and I found people respect that tradition. I would give it a try, you don't have to say anything about your addiction, just sit and listen to others. You will be amazed at how good you feel when you leave a meeting. It's free therapy!!

[worried878]

Omega 3s help with inflammation as well...i found that out and have been compliant with them daily..one more vitamin down the hatch!...90 days/90 meetings is that 90 days they theorize that the brain will heal enuf to get us thru ok....AA has good teachings and a smart soundation of prinicples
I was wonderig if a post on aftercare would get toxic out of the woodwork  LOL

[FriaryGrad]

To: Triedeverymed:  We must have sobriety dates that are close together -- I will have 4 years on September 25. Yes, you'd be totally surprised who you run into in AA. If you are worried about running into people you know, go to a closed meeting, where everyone is working to give up drugs or alcohol.  I went to a wonderful 28 day rehab, then 378 AA meetings in 378 days and aftercare from rehab center once a week.  AA/NA really rewire your brain; doctors don't know how, but they've found chemical improvements in the brains of addicts who attend AA for at least 90 days straight. Not to mention being fun for all ages....... Wanttobeclean, you CAN go.  And should -- it will cheer you up sooo much.

[landbray]

I go to a drug counsler once every 2 weeks.
We do not have NA meetings in our town so I found a couple of on line meetings.Only one alanon( where I live) which I have gone to but it has low attendance, I didn't get anything to take with me so that is when I started looking on the internet for recovery. Found on line meetings. It was a couple of months later I found this site,  I think it is wonderful. I spend hours reading peoples stories. I find it very soothing and helpful.
I do allot of journeling , music, eating correct.
I have one friend only that I talk to about my addication b/c  I can trust her.
I also have allot of medataion books that I have at work & home. I will read a page when I am stressed at work.
I also will work a 12 step  that I feel I need some help with.
I see allot of people attend AA meetings. Is that the norm if you don't have NA meetings in your town? My parents were alchololics . I did ACOA recovery all through the 90 's. I never took to drinking. I don't know if I would be able to attend an AA meeting with my back ground. I really missed our ACOA meetings. They died out in the late 90's.
Being in a small town s**ks sometimes just for that reason alone.
paaddict