Originally Posted by
BabyJane 
Yes I am doing the AA / NA stuff, 3X per week, because that's all I can handle with the level of social anxiety I have right now. I have a sponsor. I am working steps. So far it has been extremely stressful. I don't know what the spiritual part is supposed to look like but its not the same for everyone I guess. Maybe it's not what works for me. I will still finish my steps though. My doctor has no opinion on AA. My therapist believes that labeling myself a lifelong alcoholic / addict in meetings reinforces negative thought patterns although he said the social aspects of the program can be helpful. He is very open minded though and he told me there is more than one way to get sober. I hope he's right. If AA is the only way.... I don't know. I don't want to go to meetings for my whole life. They stress me out so much.
AA is NOT the only way, trust me. Im actually pretty sick of that being told to new people in recovery, because I think it makes it seem you either do AA or never recover, which can be so daunting to a newbie. Im living proof. AA wasnt for me, and I am 2 years sober and going strong (thank the lord). In my experience, in recovery, you have to gain more in being sober than you did when you used, or it wont work. So, my advice is to challenge the hell out of yourself until you gain so much, you never want to go back to where you were. That is what works for me.