Thanks so much, especially the last three posters...Thanks so much! After reading your responses, I am going to my first meeting tonight at 8:30. thanks again:)
I also highly recommend meetings.. AA/NA, whatever. What you have to realize is that the meetings aren't about not drinking or using - they are about handling LIFE without using and hearing other people just like you so you don't feel like you are the "only one" out there with the same problem. Studies show the people that successfully stay in recovery and don't use attend meetings regularly and actually work the program. Baker3336 probably shouldn't comment if he/she doesnt know much about them and hasn't been, because religion has nothing to do with it - just having a spiritual understanding that there is something out there bigger than you. Your higher power can be your infant daughter/son, Buddha, the trees, whatever. For me, it is God. But you can pick what you want that to be.
For me - it was the last thing i tried and the only thing that seems to be working and making a difference. As i said, its about handling life and not escaping to the pills... And as Dav125 said - they are addicting and will mess up drinking/ using for you forever! (a good thing, obviously)
one more thing - i go to AA meetings even though i never considered myself an alcoholic and my DOC is pills (norco). however, i went to NA meetings and didnt like them because it was a lot of addicts trading war stories and court-appointed mandatory meetings they had to go to. So i kept trying, and found a AA meeting that really clicked with me. The way i see it, i can always find pills - just like an alcoholic can always walk into a liquor store and buy booze. So same principle.
AA's are a free will enviroment. A higher power is whatever you choose it to be..In my case it is God as I know him, not as some other's would tell me the way they know him is the only way..I'm sure there are some meeting places that have veterans that are a core group that believe in a certain approach or belief, but it isn't a place of judgement..Just go, listen and interact if you like...You don't have to speak if you don't feel like it..Basically its a support enviroment where everyone is there for one reason. To celebrate another day of sobriety with many speaking of what worked for them...If one place doesn't seem to resonate with you, find a different meeting. Or find an NA meeting and try one of those..Beware though! Meetings can be addicting,,chuckles..(in a very good way) :)
your dr. is soright ,aftercare is very important in staying clean, either AA or NA are both good, and really do work, it doesnt have to be about religion,just something bigger thanyou, anyway, they are welcoming, and others understand because they are also addicts, like us. counseling or therapy is good too, in fact anything that helps us is good, best wishes,
I don't know much about the a/a meetings but from what I have heard from friends and such they use a little too much religion and higher power stuff for me. If that's not your thing then another option would be an addiction counselor. I'm sure other people on these forums will know alot more than I do. Good luck.