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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by James K on January 8, 2006, at 2:13:29
Hi, I went to my first p11 aa meeting tonight. It was pretty bad. p11 if you haven't heard of are aa meetings where they let you talk about psych meds and psych issues as well as sobriety.
But my real question is - would any of you be willing to post your feelings about aa, are you a member, did it help, do you hate it, love it, can't live without it, got sober without it, - anything. Especially in regard to having any mental illness situation.
I don't like it, but I respect it. I'm looking for incentive to give it more of a chance, or reassurance that going without is possible.
I'm not trying to start a debate, or engage in controversy because I know some feel strongly. I'd just like a snapshot of various opinions.
If you're willing to talk about it, I'd appreciate reading what you have to say.
thanks,
James K
Posted by ClearSkies on January 8, 2006, at 18:00:36
In reply to AA and dual diagnosis survey, posted by James K on January 8, 2006, at 2:13:29
AA triggers me in a really dangerous way. I have thought long and hard about what it is about the meetings that upset me so. I think that I see reminders of my father and his revolving set of girlfriends who were going to "save" him. He was a very ill man and though expressed regrets many times was never able to stay sober.
I tried going to women-only meetings but met the spectres of the saviour girlfriends who meant so well and instead made such a terrifying impression on a then young woman.
To my relief I've had other opportunities, including Psycho Babble, for being able to reach out to other people with substance abuse problems and mental health issues.
CS
Posted by AuntieMel on January 9, 2006, at 10:23:00
In reply to AA and dual diagnosis survey, posted by James K on January 8, 2006, at 2:13:29
I'm dual diagnosis myself.
AA was important to me - sort of - in the beginning. Or, maybe I should say that meetings were very important to me in the beginning.
I did 6 weeks of evening IOP - which was a huge help.
I think AA meetings - if the *right* AA meetings - can be just as helpful if IOP isn't available. The important(est) thing was to break the pattern. Have different things to do when I would have otherwise been swilling down some jet fuel.
It takes a while of any type meeting before things start to soak in. The addicted mind wants to tell you it's all hogwash.
Short version: don't judge by one meeting.
Posted by vainamoinen on January 19, 2006, at 12:13:30
In reply to AA and dual diagnosis survey, posted by James K on January 8, 2006, at 2:13:29
I was sober for a long time and relapsed during a hypomanic episode.
I had initially gotten sober in meetings and then stopped going.
I went back and I find it to be helpful. I agree that it depends on the meeting you go to. For one thing the people in a meeting down on skid row are going to be a lot different than the people in a meeting in a suburban church.
Same disease, but different stories.
Posted by shasling on January 21, 2006, at 23:00:28
In reply to Re: AA and dual diagnosis survey, posted by vainamoinen on January 19, 2006, at 12:13:30
James,
AA was invaluable to me for a time. Like a year or 2, don't remember exactly, it was a long time ago. Then I needed to move on, and did. Some people need to go forever, some do not. However, I simply could not have done it without AA.
Number 1 thing to remember about AA: Groups are like people, they have their own personalities. Some healthy, some not so... If one doesn't work, find another one. Drives me crazy when people say I went to a meeting and didn't like that one therefore AA as a whole is a crock and I'll just fight this by myself. They cheat themselves out of support. My group was very much like this board: supportive, not perfect but striving to be healthy, caring, etc. But I went to others where they had poor boundaries and lots of drama. If you look until you find the right place, it can be a real asset.
Good luck.
Posted by Sebastian on February 15, 2006, at 18:35:28
In reply to AA and dual diagnosis survey, posted by James K on January 8, 2006, at 2:13:29
I got sober with out it. I was drinking about 10 ounces of vodca a night for the last 4 years and quit cold turky. After about a 2-3 months of that I want back to drinking 1 beer a week for the next 3 years. I had my parents for support, although I didn't need much, I prety well did it on my own. So three years of that and a year of drinking 3 drinks a week. And then a year of drinking 3 drinks a day. That is what I'm up to now. Don't think it is much of a problem although my doctor would disagree. But I like and 3 drinks is not that much. My psychiatrist will agree with 2 a day. My other doctor called me an alcoholic, but see also got on my case when I was drinking 3 drinks a week, what is wrong with that?
This is the end of the thread.
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