Substance Abuse Recovery Thread

[Whateverist]

I toy with the idea of trying some pot again now that it's legal, but maybe I won't.  

Edited because it's not really the thread for reminiscing about high old times I don't think, is it?

[AceBoogie]

No doubt. I'm a cafeteria recovery guy, not wedded to one approach ... whatever's clever, right?

For sure man. That was always the biggest problem I had with AA and the other 12 step programs. They always said, "Take what you need and leave the rest" yet all of the "old timers" said "You have to do this this and this or else you won't stay sober!" When I was in rehab the manager of the facility told me I would never stay sober if I didn't start believing in god.

Then again I live in a city considered to be the Mecca of Alcoholics Anonymous so I think it's way more hardcore here than in other places.

But yea I pretty much take ideas and tips from any source I can as long as it's helpful.

[brewer]

No doubt. I'm a cafeteria recovery guy, not wedded to one approach ... whatever's clever, right?

For sure man. That was always the biggest problem I had with AA and the other 12 step programs. They always said, "Take what you need and leave the rest" yet all of the "old timers" said "You have to do this this and this or else you won't stay sober!" When I was in rehab the manager of the facility told me I would never stay sober if I didn't start believing in god.

Then again I live in a city considered to be the Mecca of Alcoholics Anonymous so I think it's way more hardcore here than in other places.

But yea I pretty much take ideas and tips from any source I can as long as it's helpful.

I got the same speech last day of treatment. You'll never make it, you have a god problem. I still use that resentment to help me stay sober.

[AceBoogie]

I got the same speech last day of treatment. You'll never make it, you have a god problem. I still use that resentment to help me stay sober.

A "god problem".... how hilarious

[Thumpalumpacus]

Yep. I heard both those tropes from the oldsters at the two groups I've attended. I found my VA program much more useful because they not only encouraged a heterogeneous approach, the therapists would give active assistance in identifying which principles from which approach might be most helpful.

[AceBoogie]

Another one I heard a lot specifically in rehab, but surprisingly not so much outside of the rehab facility itself, was "Get god or get drunk"

[Thumpalumpacus]

Yep ... and just as stupid as it sounds, given that a crisis of faith can bring on relapse.

[Crossless2.0]

Yep ... and just as stupid as it sounds, given that a crisis of faith can bring on relapse.

Bingo! And relapse aside, what value was belief to those who now struggle with addiction? Overwhelmingly, most of the people in my group believe in a god. But there we all sit, the sheep and the goats.

I have no use for God-botherers in my recovery. If some people need an imaginary friend to help them stay clean, so be it. But it's not for me, and I won't put up with fucking sermons in place of fellowship, support, and good advice.

I suppose that's one of the reasons I've so far shied away from attending any outside 12-step meetings, though I'm told there are a couple of local groups composed of non-believers who are fairly loose in their interpretation of one's "higher power". I'll check those out to see if it's a good fit.

[LastPoet]

Yep ... and just as stupid as it sounds, given that a crisis of faith can bring on relapse.

Ah, but it isn't gods fault it was your lack of faith. Why not drown sorrows?

[Gemini]

I'd say save your life first and then worry about your religious status.

I think that's good advice. I never thought I'd be the drunk that got sober and got religion but oh well. Fuck it.