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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mandybella on January 19, 2004, at 13:01:52
I have just been treated for 12 days inpatient for mauor addiction to ambien. I was taking up to 40-50 pills a night--that is 400-500mg a night!! I got them over internet. Anyway, I finally sought treatment and am off ambien and all benzo's. Now that I am home I am having major anxiety and having to deal with that without anxiety meds because I was told that I turned my "addiction gene" on and have to stay away from all substances.
I am being treated for depression with antidepressants and I am glad I am off all the other stuff. My question is that the treatment center followed the 12 step program and said I must immediately get hooked up with AA meetings.
I have not found one that suited me in our area and I want to ask others if this is the only way to stay clean?? Have other methods worked? Is my determination to stay clean and my belief in prayer enough??? Thanks for all input.
Posted by tabitha on January 19, 2004, at 19:25:39
In reply to Is AA the only way to tame addiction?, posted by Mandybella on January 19, 2004, at 13:01:52
These are some alternative groups I've seen mentioned on AA opposition sites. I don't have personal experience with any of them though. Good luck with your search.
http://www.smartrecovery.org/
http://www.womenforsobriety.org/
http://www.rational.org/
Posted by Tony P on January 20, 2004, at 7:18:12
In reply to Re: Is AA the only way to tame addiction?, posted by tabitha on January 19, 2004, at 19:25:39
> These are some alternative groups I've seen mentioned on AA opposition sites. I don't have personal experience with any of them though. Good luck with your search.
>
> http://www.smartrecovery.org/
> http://www.womenforsobriety.org/
> http://www.rational.org/
>
>These are good suggestions, and prayer, healing circles etc., (see P. Alternative) may help. Twelve-step has been the most helpful for me, but your experience may vary - I am certainly NOT one of those who beleives the 12-step experience is the ONLY route for everyone.
As well as AA, check out NA / Narcotics Anonymous in your area. Do not be put off by the name. NA has become a much more mature and inclusive society in the 20 odd years I have been a member. At least half the members I know
have problems with prescription or other drugs not thought of as "narcotics". The NA Basic text states very clearly that it is not the particular drug that matters, but the experience of addiction and recovery.Many members these days find they need, and are able to safely take anti-depressants, and the topic has become acceptable to mention at meetings I go to (not so at many AA meetings). Meetings vary considerably in atmosphere and emphasis on nuts-and-bolts twelve-step work versus mutual support, so do check out several before deciding. If possible, find some who are going for coffee afterwards - this time is sometimes more important to me than the actual meeting!
Feel free to correspond with me by email if you wish, tonyp@shaw.ca. I wish you the very best in your search for help, especially as some "legitimate" drugs can be harder to kick than "street" drugs. I know, I've been there.
Tony P
Posted by krazybirdlady on January 21, 2004, at 12:24:08
In reply to Is AA the only way to tame addiction?, posted by Mandybella on January 19, 2004, at 13:01:52
Congratulations Mandy...glad to see that you finally sought help. may i ask you how hard it was to kick ambien and what your experience in treatment was like? just wondering as i had nerver heard of someone taking this much ambien in one night. what were withdrawls like? i wish i could tell you what form of follow up therapy you might benefit from, but as everyone is different i think it is up to you to seek out which works best. please keep us posted as to your progress...
Posted by Mandybella on January 21, 2004, at 12:40:19
In reply to Re: Is AA the only way to tame addiction? » Mandybella, posted by krazybirdlady on January 21, 2004, at 12:24:08
Thanks for response. Everyone, including my doctor, expected me to have major withdrawal including seizures. I was on a phenobarb taper program, and had no major withdrawal problems at all. The treatment center was great. I learned a lot and dealt with a lot of "baggage" that had been weighing me down. Apparently, noone had seen before anyone taking as much ambien as I was, but I think there are others out there like me.
Biggest problem is now that I am home, I am having lots of anxiety and worry about how to stay clean, and I am not sure I want to go the AA route. Maybe I will, but I need to find the right meetings.
I appreciate any support I can get on this site.
Posted by puravida on January 21, 2004, at 22:49:38
In reply to Re: Is AA the only way to tame addiction?, posted by Mandybella on January 21, 2004, at 12:40:19
Check out http://moderationmanagement.org.
Also, try a search on "harm reduction" - it is becoming more and more accepted as an alternative to AA and the 12-step programs. AA, etc. seem to preach the "you are powerless against x substance" where a lot of the harm reduction programs are more focused on self-discovery and making a concious decision to be sober, or in the case of alcohol, moderate.
Posted by Sebastian on January 23, 2004, at 12:01:46
In reply to Is AA the only way to tame addiction?, posted by Mandybella on January 19, 2004, at 13:01:52
It will work if you can manage it on your own. Some times(should say usualy) it halps to talk about it with other people wether they are at an AA meating or not. Just make sure you are getting the right feedback! And not someone who will convince other wise, know haw you would deal with it.
Posted by shar on January 25, 2004, at 0:45:21
In reply to Re: Is AA the only way to tame addiction?, posted by Sebastian on January 23, 2004, at 12:01:46
And, I really agree with what Tony P. said about NA. I've done AA, and I've also had times without meetings for months and months, and stayed sober.
I think it is more like a choice to be sober or not, and someone mentioned groups that focus more on that.
AA has a long history, and saved a lot of lives, but it isn't everybody's cup of tea. It seems pretty old-fashioned to some people. I believe in 'taking what helps and leaving the rest' no matter what meeting/group it is. And, sometimes it just helps to go to a meeting and be out of the house if cravings hit or stress is high, even if you don't talk and don't listen.
Shar
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