[Emimily]

well, from an AA point of view, i don't know how much help you'll get from a bunch of recovering drunks. i imagine it'll be kind of hard to relate to a room full of people talking about how their work with the program and their higher powers helped them get and stay sober, if you're not an alcoholic. not to mention, if you don't believe you're an alcoholic and you're sitting in a closed discussion, that's not really cool for the other AAers.

that's not to say don't check it out if you DO think you have a drinking problem, because it'll rock your teenage party world if you really give it a shot. i've seen people come in who couldn't make eye contact turn into these beaming, confident kids who can share where they're at and help others, etc.

now, coming from working at a mental health hospital (which is what i do) - i like what historyteach had to say, and nandm. i work at a facility that accepts residents of our county that don't have insurance on a sliding scale fee, depending on income and number of dependents. we are always ALWAYS busy, but we're able to provide a heckuva service to those who can't afford traditional private practice. i'd check with your county mental health, and see if they have a sliding scale program. if they don't, they might be able to give you some resources to try.

good luck - i hope you get to feeling better.