The importance of "aftercare"

[StillLost21]

When I first began to realize I was abusing oxycontin and that I had a problem, I thought the only battle was getting through the physical withdrawal. I thought it was just about a few days of feeling terrible and then I was cured, it was behind me and I would just keep going about my life. I had to prove to myself many times before realizing it wasn't just about getting through the WD. Although it is important to come on here and find out about ways to get through the WD, I think it's even more important to have some kind of aftercare. Personally, I hate the physical aspect, but it's the mental aspect that kept me relapsing. The anxiety, depression, cravings, racing thoughts, all the shame, guilt, embarrassment, self hatred, no self worth, etc. Those are the things that need to be dealt with for the long term sobriety. The underlying reasons WHY you were using. I think it is so much more then just stopping taking what you were taking. There are reasons and causes as to why you use, and that's what we've all got to get to the bottom of, to stay sober in the long term run. That being said, I can't stress enough how important I think a plan is, whether it is AA or NA (which i strongly suggest) or an addiction therapist, just some form of support with people who understand what you're going through, have gone through it themselves, and can offer support and advice. I think if I could have gotten this through my head when I first was getting sober I may have saved myself a lot of relapses. It takes a lot of work, and facing the demons, but it's what we have to do to stay sober. I see so many posts all the time about the withdrawal, and just having to get through this week of sickness and then people go back to their regular lives thinking it's over (not saying everyone, and not trying to offend anybody), but it's not over. And I understand, because that is how I thought for a long time, and although the WD is extremely difficult, and it is important to have support to get through the WD, it is just as important if not more, to have some aftercare in place. Congrats to everyone trying to get sober and keep on trying, just don't give up.

[ang_811]

Great post!!!! I thought it was going to b tough for the first week. Now that I look back that was alot easier compared to the mental games I'm facing now on week 5. Thank god I got an addiction counselor that I can talk to. I don't think I would have made it this far. I don't want to have to go n one day and tell my counselor Ive used. So that helps alot. Aftercare is so important to me and my recovery. I actually can not wait for the next time I see him. I'm actually excited about it.

[StillLost21]

Go to google and type in Find an NA meeting and you should be able to enter your info and find one

[I_AM_GOING_TO_MAKE_IT]

Can anyone recommend a good NA meeting to go to tomoroow in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, or Moorpark area in CA? thanks, I really want to get to one of these and just see what it can do for me. thanks guys.

[StillLost21]

There is NA for young people, there are specific young people meetings that you could go to. And you shouldn't worry to much about seeing people, because regardless of if you used with them or bought drugs from them or sold drugs to them, whatever it is, you and them are all there for the same reasons now, to live sober, and have a program of recovery. And yes NA is free, and addiction therapy is probably pretty expensive. Therapists in general are pretty expensive per session. NA is a support system of lots of people going through the same thing you are, giving advice, telling their story and how they've recovered and how things changed for them. When you say you don' t want to hear people talking about drugs, there's a difference when talking about drugs and glorifying it, that is called "war stories," but when you talk about drugs in NA, shining a negative light on your drug use, and then recounting how things changed for you and how things have gotten better today, and what you did to get to where you're at today, it's much different then sitting around telling stories about using drugs.

An addiction therapist is one on one, with a therapist. I don't know much about it, so if anyone else has info let him know. I think it's like an therapy session. You talk about whatever you need to talk about and the therapist listens and maybe prompts you with some questions, and then shares his/her conclusions about you.

[laurel453]

hahaha... don't take offense either for my comment, please ... but i'm going to change your screeen name for... I'm going to put my foot on.... something, someone.....(jk).

sorry, but i have just read your comments on your journal and now this one about a mexican joke after warning that it may be somewhat racial... hahahah

you have a natural tendency to   ¿ diplomacy ?.

about your questions... and the NA for young people... i would think that being from all ages and background is what makes NA a good place.... sharing all type of experiences means you are getting all the best from each one.... don't worry about the age gap, pls. you don't have anything to lose.

[I_AM_GOING_TO_MAKE_IT]

I too feel that aftercare is going to be necessary for me, but i am afraid of NA, i don't want to be around people who used before telling stories about it or whatever, i just want to be somewhere where drugs are never ever mentioned (pipe dreams huh....drugs  are everywhere). This post is a question actually, I wanted to know about these addiction therapists? Are they one on one? That woudl be more comfortable for me. Are they expensive adn do they accept insurance? Also, my insurance is going to switch over to university provided insurance soon and there is no way in hell that i can let the university know about what i have gone through......I wish there was an NA for young people in the same shoes as me (ages 18-30 at most) who were in same sit. Also, I dont' really wanna be in an NA in my hometown for fear of seeing people i used to use with, but i don't wanna drive so far to other ones. These NA's are free right? How has everyones experience been with young people in an NA meeting and also with one on one addiction therapist?

By the way, this just reminded me of a joke (please don't take offense, it is racial somewhat):
"What do you call two mexicans playing basketball?"...........
.............
"Juan on Jaun!"

[nomo357]

This is such a great post! I know my problem in the past has been no aftercare. I too thought the withdraw would be the worst and then I'd go on with my life without a hitch. It WONT WORK, even if you think you can do it, chances are against you! I know now, that I am going to need to deal with my issues or I will start using again. I would rely on those pills to ease my stress, I would take them every time I got anxious, worried, scared,whatever....I hated having any emotion. It will be hard for me to deal with emotion again but I know I can do it with help.

I also took them anytime I was going to be faced with leaving the house. Yes, I came to a point where I was afraid to leave my own house and be around strangers because I swore people were judging me, when really most of them had NO idea I had a problem, I was really ashamed of myself. I used to be a very outgoing person, and I hope to get that back! I don't need a drug to make people like me, I don't know why I ever think I do!

[freenclean]

well said and you are so right i hope people take the time to read this post its a graet one take care and God bless Free...