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Alternatives to Aftercare
With all due respect to aftercare advocates, what BESIDES or in place of aftercare has helped you be successful?
(Seriously curious about opinions for alternatives, and I would deeply, deeply, deeply appreciate if this question wasn't used as a way to convince everyone of how much of a necessity meetings are. I'm not disagreeing, I would just like to hear from the other camp)
(Seriously curious about opinions for alternatives, and I would deeply, deeply, deeply appreciate if this question wasn't used as a way to convince everyone of how much of a necessity meetings are. I'm not disagreeing, I would just like to hear from the other camp)
There are so many ways to employ an aftercare/recovery care program into your life. It's a lifestyle change for one thing. Changing up old habits and routines. Something as simple as changing a morning routine is extremely helpful; just getting out of the banal; boring,repetitive activities to start.
There are other ways beside meetings. I'm also an RN, in a big city but "small town"...I wasn't too thrilled with going out publicly with my issues. I have an addiction therapist, my physician; I meditate,do yoga everyday,and swim...a lot! I've been to several meetings, though, because I don't care anymore who "knows" what!! It simply can't hurt me! I may have been in recovery prior to becoming a nurse for all anyone knows!!
Check into other plans. Smart Recovery is just one and you might like what they offer. Just do a google search. The thing is, we really need to do something. I think it's a better guarantee of success than doing or changing nothing at all!
Good luck with this...I know it's all so hard but believe me, it gets so much better!
There are other ways beside meetings. I'm also an RN, in a big city but "small town"...I wasn't too thrilled with going out publicly with my issues. I have an addiction therapist, my physician; I meditate,do yoga everyday,and swim...a lot! I've been to several meetings, though, because I don't care anymore who "knows" what!! It simply can't hurt me! I may have been in recovery prior to becoming a nurse for all anyone knows!!
Check into other plans. Smart Recovery is just one and you might like what they offer. Just do a google search. The thing is, we really need to do something. I think it's a better guarantee of success than doing or changing nothing at all!
Good luck with this...I know it's all so hard but believe me, it gets so much better!
make changes, new2this.... you don't have to attend NA but make life changes, learn about yourself, your behaviour, what triggers you have, take steps ( your steps) to change your life...
Hello. Like you, I also tired of the repetitious demands that I involve myself with some form of 12 step aftercare. I found this advice extremely unhelpful. There are also many evidence-based secular recovery modalities but I wasn't really interested in these either.
What worked for me was to continue with the informal meetings I would have with my old methadone counsellor along with the occasional appointment with a sympathetic doctor familiar with M I (motivational interviewing) and B.I (brief interventions) techniques . These may sound 'ïnvolved and serious' but honestly, they were infrequent and very informal.
I divorced myself from unsavoury acquiantances and embedded myself amongst family and the few non-drug using friends I had left. Hobbies, which fell by the wayside during active addiction (surfing, skiing, woodwork, guitar), I took up again with a new passion. These were especially helpful during the intense craving phase.
There is compelling evidece which suggests that most people with drug and alcohol addictions mature out of the abuse cycle without the aide of professional ( I use the word loosely there) services. My own experiences bear this premise out having witnessed many people ( family and friends) eschew their addictions thanks to their own determined efforts coupled with common sense decision making and solid familial support structures.
All the best on your journey. Kind regards Jeremy. (Recovered Addict)
3 years 9 months substance free.
What worked for me was to continue with the informal meetings I would have with my old methadone counsellor along with the occasional appointment with a sympathetic doctor familiar with M I (motivational interviewing) and B.I (brief interventions) techniques . These may sound 'ïnvolved and serious' but honestly, they were infrequent and very informal.
I divorced myself from unsavoury acquiantances and embedded myself amongst family and the few non-drug using friends I had left. Hobbies, which fell by the wayside during active addiction (surfing, skiing, woodwork, guitar), I took up again with a new passion. These were especially helpful during the intense craving phase.
There is compelling evidece which suggests that most people with drug and alcohol addictions mature out of the abuse cycle without the aide of professional ( I use the word loosely there) services. My own experiences bear this premise out having witnessed many people ( family and friends) eschew their addictions thanks to their own determined efforts coupled with common sense decision making and solid familial support structures.
All the best on your journey. Kind regards Jeremy. (Recovered Addict)
3 years 9 months substance free.
Thanks, Sarah - I aprpeciate your definition. So many folks batter home the "meeting meeting meeting" as the only way to possibly stay clean, I'm up to my ears in that advice and I don't find it useful.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Recovery care is about self discovery and what makes us tick.....There are no right or wrong answers. Just remember using is just a symptom of what is going on inside you and that is what needs to be discovered........sara
Therapy is a good alternative to the standard NA or AA meetings. Meditation, yoga, exercise, eating well, all of these options will help you feel better. It does NOT have to be the meetings you hear about.
I think each person needs to decide what's the best route for them for aftercare. And there are a lot of things you can do for yourself (as mentioned above) that will help enormously.
:)
I think each person needs to decide what's the best route for them for aftercare. And there are a lot of things you can do for yourself (as mentioned above) that will help enormously.
:)
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