Aftercare

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Im going to be starting my aftercare therapy at the end of January. Does anybody know what this entails?? Also getting ready to start NA meetings next week, does anybody have any feedback on this? I'm just really nervous about it all. I'm so happy I found this forum it really helps to know I'm not alone in my recovery.

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Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

Hi GA RN i tried to private message you but it says your messages are full....Hope your doing well..

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Hey Michelle. I'm doing well. I don't know why it said that it's not full. I'll ck it again. Hope all is good on your end :)

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Specializes in ER, Psych.

Hi GA_RN,

Don't be scared about starting your NA meetings. I know easier said then done. I was terrified to walk into my first meeting. Mainly fearful of seeing a pt I took care of in the ER. But it was all good. You don't have to talk in the meeting. But I would strongly recommend that you introduce yourself if they ask if there are any newcombers and take a phone list. Never know when you might need it.

For me personally, the only thing I could blurt out was, "hi, I am Torsades, I am an addict and I just got out of rehab and I am scared". I had people reaching out to me left and right in the AA/NA rooms.

So, take a deep breath, walk in, and let the miracle happen. I will say a little prayer for ya today. You will be ok.

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Torsades,Thank you for your info & kind words. It means a lot to know I'm not alone in this journey.

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Aftercare is pretty much the same thing that your doing, well at least for my group. We talk discuss our recovery and life issues on a weekly basis. I just complete after care this week and I have 4 more. Also, I have gain so many friends in the rooms of NA. More than anything I have found myself. We focus on the differences when we first walk-in but if you give it a honest try you'll see a change in your perception and your demeanor. It's suggested that we make 3 mtgs a week, well I go 4-5 times. "Everything is subjected to revision, even the truth."

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Excuse the errors. I'm typing from my phone

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Thanks Austin for you help. If you don't mind me asking how long did you have to do your aftercare? Also what state are you in? I was in NC but have since moved to another state.

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I'm in NC now. My aftercare was a year. I want to move to PA so bad but I heard horror stories such as restarting restrictions

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Thanks Austin for your reply. Did you have displinary actions against you in NC? I'm going to sen you a PM if you don't care.

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I got your PM but it won't let me reply. Email [email protected]

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
? Also getting ready to start NA meetings next week, does anybody have any feedback on this? I'm just really nervous about it all. I'm so happy I found this forum it really helps to know I'm not alone in my recovery.

How to go to a NA meeting:

1. Find a meeting.

2. Show up to it.

Seriously, that's it.

You are under no obligation to do anything when you attend the meeting. You want to share? Great! You'd rather hang back and be quiet at this time? That's fine too! Want to talk to others? OK. Want to not talk to anyone? OK. Not ready to work the steps or get a sponsor yet? No problem on either count! As long as you follow steps 1 and 2, you will be welcome at meetings no matter what else you do--or don't do--at them.

The first meeting can be as scary as hell, but remember that you're not alone in feeling that way at the first meeting.

Of course, be sure to find a group that you are comfortable with. If you go to one meeting and find that for whatever reason things don't click for you there, find another meeting. If you feel more comfortable in a women-only meeting, go to it--don't force yourself to go to a mixed meeting. Likewise, if you feel more comfortable sharing in closed meetings, don't force yourself to share at open meetings. If you feel the crowd is too old/too young/too eclectic/too many strong personalities/too whatever for your liking, then go to another meeting. No one will take it personally.

Same thing with the sponsor: shop around. Find someone that you feel comfortable with, because this is the same person that you may be calling at 2am when you are in crisis and are tempted to use. I do recommend that you stick with someone of the same sex as you for a sponsor, to avoid any possible romantic entanglements or other issues.

And just keep going back. As they say, it works if you work it.

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