Recovery - After care

Hi guys I have a topic.  I'd like to hear your thoughts.  How necessary is an after-care program for continued cleaness?  Is it essential?  Can we get clean ourselves by just not using?  

[flmagi]

Good topic.  People are gonna get ruff on this one. LOL, just watch. Ok, my opinion....
After-care PROGRAM?    N/A was not for me, I beleive in SELF-EMPOWERMENT. Iam the only one responsible for my actions and my future.  I cannot chant "Iam powerless over my addiction", because I beleive that I do have the power.    I do thought, beleive in a support system if at all possible. Family, friends and this forum is great. I do think you should think ahead on how to deal with situations that may put you at risk for relapse.
Ok, here we go.....................

[flmagi]

Let me add, I Do think you should do whatever it takes to get clean and stay there. If that means N/A meetings, great, go for it. We're all different. If standing on your head in your driveway while whisteling Dixie works for you.... do that.
If it works for you, then it's good.

[allaboutmary]

I think everyone is different. So whatever works for you. If you failed before because you had no support., you probably should find some in N/A etc..  but I'm with Magi, I feel I am totaly in charge of my addiction, no one can make me take pills and no one can stop me .....but me.  I do think it is very important that everyone have someone to talk to.

[allaboutmary]

so magi how is the house cleaning coming. lol   Must go now and whistle Dixie in driveway. lolol

[jenny8575309]

nice----:)  I too am having trouble admitting my 'powerlessness'  how much clean time do you have magi?  I have a disease that tells me I don't have a disease, and that I can use recreationally.  I'm having trouble with this, because there have been times in my life where I have been a functional addict.  I'm scared of this little ***** inside me that keeps telling me I can use recreationally.  I've proven I can't.  I don't know how to make her shut up w/out the program.  Also I don't know how to feel comfortable or have peace of mind w/out the program.  I never did.  I think working these steps can help me quit running from myself.  If I wasn't using drugs, I was using 'someone'  I kept trying to find something that made me feel better.  I'm tired of that... I'm ready for something else.  Sitting outside I told the sick little drug-addicted slutty jenny inside of me that I was going to kill her.  I want to be normal, I want to be a good mom, I want to make decisions that I trust and not have to worry about talking myself in and out of ****.  I need NA.  But I'm having trouble admitting my powerlessness.  Jenny 2 ****** up alot of **** for me, but there is someone else inside of me that wants to grow and shine, and it's about time I let her.  NA will give me the tools I need to combat the enemy.  My drug addicted alter-ego.  Your post brings up an interesting question.  NA isn't for everyone.  I've heard that many times.  That sentence gives Jenny 2 ammunition to destroy my life.  I'm learning how to make her shut the **** up tho.  :)  thanks for your post.  And it's ok for us to agree to disagree right?

[flmagi]

We can definately agree to disagree. No problem.  And if N/A is what makes you recover, then N/A is the best thing in the world. Be there, get into it, DO IT.  Take those tools they teach you and use them, cherish them. Like I said, whatever works is what you should do. Do not give Jenny2 the ammunition for relapse.

[allaboutmary]

I don't really think we disagree. N/A is what is helping you and thats what you need to do. You are getting what you need from N/A and they are very knowledgeble people. (can't spell) You are doing what is right for you to stay clean. So it can't be wrong.  You go girl !    Mary

[flmagi]

cleaning? Ahhh, well, not so good if I'm typing here.
Hey, I'm on a break.