AA meeting and addicts

Nurses Recovery

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Maybe I am still overly sensitive but I attended a new AA meeting and left feeling offended. Actually, I don't know if offended is the right word, however I did not feel good about the meeting or myself. Here's what happened. It was a small meeting, everyone had to go around and say their name... Hi, I'm Susie and I'm an alcoholic etc. except of course I had to say "Hi, I'm Sally and I'm an addict. Well, after the meeting several people came up to me and wanted to know and I am quoting here " So, what kind of DOPE do you do ?". DOPE, really???. When I stated I had been addicted to Norco, all I got was a look of confusion or something.

I don't ask alcoholics. "So what kind of boose do you drink? Wine, Jack Daniels?" I don't understand this sort of AA snobbery about alcoholics versus addicts.

Anyway, just thought I would throw it out there. For some reason this really bothered me. I am only six months into this and maybe I am being overly sensitive but I am finding this kind of undercurrent at some of these 12 step programs.

Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.
In fact, I think that might be against the AA rules. The only requirement to be a member of AA to have a desire to stop drinking.

In closed AA meetings, it is breaking tradition to announce yourself as anything other than an alcoholic. Of course, a group conscience can be done but that is how is usually works. I started attending a closed women's AA meetings after realizing the open AA meetings I was attending at a local rehab were not furthering my recovery. There was no real long term sobriety and I didn't understand how "real" meetings were conducted. I had not found a sponsor who had long term sobriety or that even knew how to take me through the steps. I am a pill addict, first and foremost. My DOC is opiates, any kind. I used to drink and get sloppy drunk after a 12 hour shift with the other ICU nurses until my doctor prescribed opiates for my chronic pain condition. So while I never allowed my alcoholism to "fully blossom" as I like to say, I very well could have become a full blown alcoholic if those pills hadn't intervened :sneaky: I was terribly resentful at the AA meetings initially because I had to announce myself as an alcoholic. I got a resentment against AA, that meeting and all the women in it. Then, my new sponsor that I had found gently explained to me the traditions, why they were important and how they worked. I began to find peace with my resentment and understand it was about me and not all of that other stuff. I've now been attending that same women's AA meetings for over 3 years, have served at GSR, secretary and have grown to love all the women in it. Surprisingly, I've found that a large portion of those women, while always identifying themselves as alcoholics, were actually more addicted to other substances than alcohol itself. Alcohol was a problem but it wasn't what got them to the rooms of AA. I tried NA for a few meeting and never felt what I do in an AA meeting. I respect the traditions of AA, even though my DOC was opiates. Happy to say I've been clean and sober for over 5 years, in part because of that wonderful closed meeting where I first was so resentful :rolleyes:

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
It depends greatly on the meeting and group of people. In my AA home group there are several cross addicted people and identify themselves as such. I had a difficult time with the "alcoholic" term too because I didn't see myself as having a problem with alcohol. However, I have come to realize it it ANY CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE I put into my body that alters my ability to deal with life on life's terms. Once I was real honest with myself I realized my relationship with alcohol through out my life was one of potential abuse. Alcohol did not get me into trouble, but now that my DOC has been taken away I was leaning more on alcohol! Dot get caught up in the word "alcoholic"; everyone is there because we have a disease of addiction. Your DOC may be different, but the feelings are te same.

This is EXACTLY what happened when I took a half-dozen 1 mg. Ativan tablets a couple of weekends ago. I was going for the numbing effect.....I was extremely upset and didn't want to feel. I am dual diagnosed with alcoholism and bipolar disorder, but the reason I used the pills was because I was sober for almost 22 years and wasn't in the habit of having a fifth of Jack Daniels laying around the house anymore. :no:

I'm going back to AA on the recommendation of my psychiatrist in order to get back to the basics, which for me is remembering that TODAY I choose not to drink/use. I've been so upset with myself for blowing my longstanding sobriety, and I know I have to forgive myself so I can move forward. The DOC wasn't alcohol this time, but the fact remains that I am an addict, first and foremost, and the motive, the intent, and the results of overmedicating were the very same.

http://alcoholrehab.com/alcohol-rehab/slip-vs-relapse/

Viva- check out this article on the difference between a slip vs relapse. An AA friend of mine posted this and unthought is was quite helpful.

One day at a time!

I am lucky enough to be in an area where most of the people are dual addictions. Sometime people joke and say so what am I today alcoholic or addict. Most of us have both drugs and alcohol in our stories. I was told if someone says something to you just say I'm sorry you have am issue with this but drugs are part of my story. I you really can't understand please speak with your sponsor. This usually works I am told. It is just I feel more comfortable in AA not NA.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Unfortunately, not every meeting is a supportive environment for whatever reason. So I'd find yourself a new meeting.

Also, you can attend open AA meetings. Open AA meetings are for anyone whether they're an alcoholic, whereas closed meetings are specifically for those who identify with having a problem with alcohol. If you're more comfortable with them, go to the open meetings--you're not obligated to share at all. Just go and take whatever you find helpful.

Another alternative is SMART recovery meetings. They are more cognitive-based instead of spiritual-based, and AFAIK don't have such a strong distinction between addict and alcoholic (though alcoholics are just as much addicts) that NA and AA may have.

Specializes in Addictions/Mental Health, Telemetry.

As with all AA meetings or any 12 step meeting for that matter, "take what you need...leave the rest!"

I am from a small community and it took me over 1 year to find a good NA meeting where I can be myself and be honest and open about my co- addiction of both alcohol and methamphetamines. When I would go to an AA meeting I could only talk about alcohol or I would get the death stare. I even had a senior member come to me and tell me I should attend NA instead. When I would attend NA meetings the stoa wasn't as bad but it was there, just a little more discreet. I finally found a women's only NA group that is a lot less informal and more about people, or more specific women trying to stay sober and battle there demons. My best advice is to find a place where you fit. Where you can They are having good sale at albertsons.......cough syrup for 24 cents and antibacterial wipes for 99 cents.....better load up:)))be comfortable and able to speak and depend on your fellow members!!!!good luck

don't know how that happened but please ignore the albertsons things . That was an old copy that some how got inserted into my post .....hahahahah...sometime it is hard to do post from phone

An alcoholic is also an addict. Whether someone is addicted to alcohol or cocaine, they are still an addict. :sarcastic: After all, both of you are there because you are ADDICTED.

Specializes in Oncology.

My husband is a longtime AA member, and he is also dual addicted. He introduces himself "my name is Joe and I'm an alcoholic and drug addict." As far as I know, that has worked for him. AA requires that you have a problem with alcohol, but it doesn't have to be ONLY alcohol. I'll also echo what everyone else said: sometimes it takes a while to find a meeting that "fits." I wouldn't give up. I do think it's a little obnoxious to ask what kind of dope a person uses. I'm sure there are better meetings out there!

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