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Discussion

continuing AA after recovery program?

i'm just wondering- for those of you who are through with a recovery program- do you still go to AA meetings? i am well aware of the help that my 12 step program gave me in the recovery process- but now that i have completed the program i was in- i haven't been to a meeting in a while- don't feel the need to go- am very solid in my recovery- guess i just feel "guilty" for not going. what are ya'll's thoughts on this? do you continue to go- if so, how often? just curious. thanks!

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    • Featured Replies

    • Expert

    The thing about recovery is that you need to do what works for you--there's no right or wrong answer, nor what works for someone else may work for you. For some people, daily AA/NA attendance is what does it. For others, they can go weekly, sporadically or not at all and still maintain their recovery. And for others, even attending meetings religiously hasn't stopped them from relapsing.

    If you feel you are doing well right now with what you are doing, then continue doing it. But be sure to keep putting that recovery first, and if you find doing just that is starting to get difficult, act on it immediately--don't passively wait for things to get better.

    And remember that it's never too late--or too early--to attend a meeting.

    Best of luck with your continued recovery!

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    I work with addicted nurses. Becoming over-secure about your recovery and dropping meetings is a constrant refrain among relapser

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    • Author

    thanks to both of you for your reply!! Subee- i totally understand what you are saying, and i am hyper-vigilante about the status of my recovery & my well-being at all times!! i guess i just was wondering what others do. thanks again to both of you for your valuable responses!!

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    While I have never been in your shoes (but for the grace of God...), I have a very close relative who was. For her, she went to AA at least twice a week, sometimes more. I agree with those who say monitor yourself very closely. If it were me, and this is my two cents, :twocents: I would go at least once a week, just to keep your feet wet, to be sure you are staying well. Good luck in your continued recovery.:hug:

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    • Guides

    And then you have the rare bird like me, who went to AA for a few weeks at the beginning and then decided to fly solo. Which I've done, without relapsing, for 20 years. Not that it's been easy, but I have incredible family support and that is what's kept me on the straight and narrow. Bottom line is, everyone has to "do" recovery in their own way, there is no one right way, and one size definitely does NOT fit all.

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    I am still involved in my monitoring program and attend about one meeting a week. I was going consitently until I began despising having to go. I believe that is is all that individual of what they need each day to stay sober. I do not feel I have as much difficulty today staying sober as I did in the beginning. I also have created an awesome support system and use it daily for every aspect of my life. Other single moms to help with those issues, friends, family, sponsor (Who by the way thinks I should be going to 2 meetings a week) Staying connected with God also has been huge. There are the times that I have seen myself going down a slippery slope and got to a meeting, and picked up my book and started reading! Relapse begins long before you pick up.

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    With regards to your meeting making. It's a personal choice that we all have to make with regards to how we perceive the importance of our recovery. For me, my meetings are a key role in my life and recovery. It was suggested by my sponsor (whome is also a significant key to recovery) to make meetings regulary...just as it's "suggested" that when you jump out of an airplane, that you wear a chute!

    Now, for me..I can only keep what I have by giving it away. This means I go to meetings regularly as if my life depended on it, because it does. Meeting will NOT keep me sober.. but, I haven't ever gotten drunk at one either! lol My primary purpose, as stated in the preamble of EVERY meeting I have ever attended is this.. Our primary purpose is to stay sober, and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

    Work what works for you though my friend!

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    • Expert

    For me, I have been going to meetings for 17 year and I haven't had a drink for those years either. Also, I have actually changed. I am not the woman I was - the one who needed to drink just to feel right. I needed a sponsor, steps and meetings...the entire enchilada. There were a few months I tried without. They weren't bad but they weren't great. I wanted great.

    Sent from my iPad using allnurses.com

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    I started going to AA meetings in 1989 & have been sober since. I still find it necessary to go to 2-3 meetings a week-not to protect my sobriety but to enhance my serenity. When I miss my regular meetings I start to feel a little "squirrelly"!

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    • Expert

    There was another more important thing I wanted to add...

    When I first needed help from AA there were women there with quality continuous sobriety. Without their help things would have turned out quite differently for me. So, I owe a debt to those women which I pay by being available to new women who come into AA needing help.

    Sent from my iPad using allnurses.com

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