Help

[Helpless123]

I am desperate to stop drinking alcohol.  It seems like I cannot make it a day without. Just some background in '06 I decided to try an IOP program after 3 months, I was recommended to do 30 days in "h**ll" for inpatient therapy.  AA does not do it for me.  Based on that info. does anyone have an idea of what I should do now?  I also suffer from extreme OCD and Bi-polar 1.  I have so many battles going on in my head, I need some serious guidance.  I have a psych. for meds, and see an OCD counselor. She wants me to get off the alcohol so I can just work on the OCD.  Life is looking pretty grim for me.  I feel like I stand alone.  My husband is very supportive.  

I am bouncing around ideas - should I detox - then enroll in an IOP?  Should I try another 21 day program (which makes me sick) I had a horrible experience at my local one. I didn't get my completion coin because I drank on my weekend pass and had a friend sneak out a window to buy alcohol.

My life *****.  Anyone have any suggestions?

[rod44]

I have met those people not just in AA but as one who spent the first few years of school under the guidance of a religious order whose idea of discipline was a cane. Little good it did me!!
They are in every walk of life unfortunately. So no I am not a fanatical stone you to death kinda guy.

AA is not the only way and I would advise any one to go with an open mind. It is about getting sober NOT about AA. It worked for me, it may not work for others.
I take what I need and leave the rest behind, I express my views at group conscience and they can listen or not, I am a member of a group that is mainly made up of younger people not afraid to express there views. I grew up with the hell and damnation c**p in the one hand and a loving god on the other and don’t need it any more.

Thanks, yes the fuss is over, storm in a tea cup.

[SensibleInSarnia]

Ray: Okay: I have written quite a few academic papers, and it has influenced how I express myself in print.

I'm not knocking you, or your peace of mind you founf through AA. But you're not one of the fanatics who would stone me to death for suggesting it isn't for everybody, and that trying to find success / relapse rates in AA is pretty difficult.

I wasn't impressed, but do not presume to advise others who seek escape from addiction. I'm glad you find solace and comfort there ... my point was that if AA is touted as the "only way," then the suffering will continue for those who just don't "fit."

I wish you well and hope the fuss is over -- it's everyone's choice, and sometimes it's a challenge finding that "fit."

[SensibleInSarnia]

Speaking as a recovered Roman Catholic, I congratulate you ... the bloody nonsense children are indoctrinated with -- Fear, Guilt, Innate Inferiority -- disgusts me.

Congratulations -- you're a survivor of quite a few insidious, vile vices, and you think for yourself.

[rod44]

Sorry if I have caused you offence in any way…..
but to me you come across as arrogant and pompous, there are people here of varying degrees of education and intelligence, some who can follow your arguments and other simple people like me who can not. The impression I got and still get is of one full of there own importance. The bottom line is I am sober today because of AA and the wonderful people I met in the fellowship, if I was not sober I don’t think I would be here defending it

I have said this before and I will say it again people are free to choose, I give my experience of getting sober witch includes my experience with AA, what people choose after that is up to them.
I recognise when I am out of order and apologise, alcoholism and the devastating consequences of it is some thing I live with every day. The twelve steps have helped me to recognise that and have helped me get to a place of understanding my illness, of my self and life without drink, I tried many ways to get sober including suicide (I did not have the courage to follow through) medications, CBT, counselling and self help groups none of witch worked for me, AA however did. I will defend people who helped me get sober in an organisation that helped me get sober.
The “war storeys” that you refer to are peoples life’s, the suffering they and there families endured.
If you have issues with AA so be it, I respect your views but you must also respect my views. I have a higher power so to speak, in fact I have many, when you have a disability and you are dependent on public transport, you have bus drivers and passengers who are courteous then why not. My higher power changes from week to week but there is one person who was dear to me who is looking after me now.
You have yet to suggest an alternative way, I say this not to insult you but to try and get some positive feed back from you. Please please in words that I can understand.
Ray

[ibizan]

many years ago when i was very active in AA..i incurred the wrath of several old timers by saying i was an alcoholic/addict!they tried to rip me good don't u dare talk about drugs here this is for alcholics only... they did not suceed...only moved me more to go seek out NA and other alternatives....they forget Dr.Bob spoke of the nightmare of being dually addicted to speed and downers!i had 12 years of hardcore Roman Catholicism in the 60's and 70's.....which i mentally divorced myself from..and when i entered those rooms it was the first time i was given to believe in a power as i chose ....or not.i disregarded the dogmatic rigid AA'ers and NA'ers and sought the company of the eclectic free thinkers in those rooms...and there were many!

[SensibleInSarnia]

You seem the least defensive about all this -- I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from AA; I'm just a little tired of it being touted as the one, true road by some. I've been to numerous meetings, by the way, but found myself walking out when the lord's prayer was dutifully recited at the conclusion -- this is hypocritical, when attendees are assured that some Higher Power -- of your choice (think of the ad absurdum entities one could pick), but not "god," nosiree, it's up to you ... well, their are other religions and other processes that are effective to some degree -- addiction's a hard nut to crack, as you know -- and where's the inclusiveness there?

I've also heard the "intellectualizing / rationalizing" argument, which apparently means sacrificing one's individuality to this Higher Power and admitting helplessness and "character defects." Well, I argued that intellectualization was by no means a bad thing, unless warped by active addiction or mental illness, and that "character defects," and by extension, "The Disease Concept" were empirically unprovable. I wasn't a popular visitor by this point. Too much "intellectualizing" instead of obeisance to the strictures of this organization.

Again, I do not say, "Don't go there." I say do what you can to get out of the mess you're in, but remember that there are alternatives if AA fails you.

Why this has caused such an outpouring of indignance, sarcasm, and personal insults is perhaps a sign of the inherent religiosity of AA, and those who attack me.

If I sound like some pedantic noise-maker, it's only because I've been set upon for moderately expressing a point of view to which I've given much thought.