A question about aftercare

[HadEnough0920]

I wanted to hear about other options besides AA/NA as far as aftercare options.  It's not that I'm opposed to meetings, and I may try a few, but I'm just not sure.  I made an appointment with an LCSW for later this week.  Does that qualify as aftercare?  Does it matter that I'm tapering and thus still using?  In my case, some therapy is essential for getting myself clean.  I have other demons that were helping to feed my addiction, and I don't believe I'll ever get clean without addressing those issues.  I really just wanted to know if I'm going in the right direction or not.  For those that haven't followed my story, I told my doc that I'm an addict, and he is helping me taper.

[Tom86]

have you read this recent post?  Good thoughts on aftercare.  Good luck! http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/advise-for-those-that-want-to-stop-using-/show/1880940#post_8738836

[OpenMind24hours]

Good that you're interested in looking into aftercare and learning your options. You're full of willingness and setting yourself up for success! I hope to add something to your quest for information from my experiences with my own aftercare.

I knew I needed help from somewhere other than my own thinking because my own thinking got me high. I could stop for a while, but sooner or later (mostly sooner) I'd end up high again. So, I had to completely change the way I think, especially of  how I thought of myself. So, I started to rely on a group of addicts like myself, who seemed to have ironed out their addiction problem. I found that in this group there is no cap and gown graduation. It's on-going. (Us addicts forget the bad stuff that happened to us real quick, we just remember the good stuff.) I also found I had a bunch of wreckage of the past that I needed to clear up, including family and friends I hurt as a practicing addict. I hurt myself the most. Once I dealt with that wreckage it set me free. I found I could respect myself, and then I found I could also in-turn respect, and love, others. And then I found that helping other addicts, in turn, helps me. Us addicts have an ugly cunning, baffling and powerful disease. It's incurable. But we find one of the best defenses for us are other other addicts. We remain clean by participating in our own recovery and surrounding ourselves in the atmosphere of recovery. There are millions of us who aren't using and are in successful recovery. But If we have a relapse, we can come back to our groups and we know we won't be judged, just loved and helped to get better again. I know this first-hand because I just went through it after many years clean. When I went back to my group I felt I was home again. I'm blessed.

What ever you decide, participate in your own recovery like your life depends on it. It's the most important thing you will do from here on in. When you get clean life will still happen. But your aftercare program should help you to except life on life's terms without needing, or even wanting to use again.

[ActingBrandNew]

That takes a lot of guts to tell your doc like you did...good job. Your doing all the right things so far. My aftercare is the same as most of the above posters with therapy. I also go to church...a lot of churches have the Celebrate Recovery program which is very good. Id say try some meetings...as a lot of people swear by them. I don't know what your insurance situation is like, but a lot of carriers offer outpatient type deals. I went to one through Kaiser back in the day that I thought was very helpful. There are some really good outpatient places that offer the full package (N.A.,  personal therapy, groups, psych) They kinda a$$ess your situation and tailor your program accordingly. I'm in Los Angeles though...not sure what they have over there...but its worth a look.

Good luck and God bless

[Fireby29]

I am not anti AA or NA, I think they help a lot of folks.  I personally choose a therapist, and do not do AA/NA.  Just make sure that what you are doing is working for you.  

Bryan

[Andie015]

I personally don't like meetings. They never did anything for me. There is nothing wrong with private therapy for aftercare...I have a psychiatrist and a counselor that I see for aftercare and I'm doing great!!  Therapy sounds like a good idea for you due to your other issues. That being said...give meetings a try as well...they may help you....even if they don't help others. And I think starting now is an excellent idea...it might help your detox as well....good luck!

[weaver71]

I really like group therapy a lot, AA is great for fellowship, but I found that the coping skills I never learned as a kid come mostly from therapy. I also find the 12 steps great for learning why I used like I did, but the therapy makes dealing with those issues easier. Every bodies program is unique, keep trying different things until you find what works for you.

[nursegirl6572]

Yes, private therapy is always an option.  Try to find a therapist who either has experience working with addiction, or is certified as an addiction specialist (better).  There are group therapy settings that can be arranged through a private therapist as well.  

I think that's a fine starting point for you.  You may find that to be enough for you...or you may want to do both (private therapy AND NA/AA).

Good luck, and great job!