Please help a dumb hick with ???'s aftercare

[addict3]

O.K. O.K. Tell me about this aftercare? I know it is a dumb ? But is it somewhat the same as AA meetings? If so, been there done that. Not Knocking it because that has helped so many people, and I am not to good or proud to go if that is what you all are referreing to but, it did ME no good whatsoever! I quit a long alcohol problem c/t and it was hell. But AA could not even begin to help me.  That in my very sincere & humble opnion was a BAD waste of my time, and hurt ppl who were getting something from it.I hope everyone is talking about something else. I am not trying to sound arrogant just being Honest.

[road2recovery]

Being honest is great....I don't go to meetings, but i do see a addiction specialist....She helps me alot, and so does this forum...It is whatever works for you.
good luck
r2r

[fedup4now]

I hated AA for almost a year - I was angry sitting in the seat, listening to others - I thought  I was in bumber sticker hell - with all of their sayings etc., people talking about being grateful alcoholics.  I didn't talk to anyone - I don't even think I took my coat off for the first 6 months.  I wasn't like them, I didn't related - it was horrible.
But I kept going - because I did not know what else to do - I wanted to say sober - and this was all I had - I knew I could not do it alone - tried it many times, and failed miserably.
And bit by bit my anger settled, I started to know and like a few people, and instead of being so damn determined not to fit in - I found myself understanding some of what they were saying.
Don't get me wrong - I take what works for me from AA, and I leave the rest - I do not think I have to buy into the whole package for it to work for me.  The people and the support mean the most to me, and I work the steps the best way I can - that fits my style.
It took me at least a year of forcing myself to go.  I tried a bunch of different meetings, and found a few with people I liked and respected - and now it is a big part of my sobriety.  I am not sure where I would be if I had not stuck it out.

There are definatley counsellors, maybe day programs at an addictions centre or hospital - but the reason I stuck with AA - it was free, and others were going through the same thing as me.

Good luck -keep looking - it is really important to find support that works for you.

[confused456]

If you hated AA, what about NA, I know its the same general idea, but some say they prefer one over the other. Not sure, I personally haven't went to either. I was just trying to help a little.

[worried878]

There are also addiction specialists...you can find then in your county mental health system and they charge per income..some of the bigger cities have a whole practice devoted to this type of stuff but not here in my southern city