SavageHurricane

What tools are out there for dealing with the aftermath of being sober?

Once you take the crutch (alcohol) away then you're obviously left still crippled, just without the crutch.

What resources are there available? Apart from therapy which I can't afford.

Any online courses? Something to work through? Online therapy? Anything?

ANGELINA243

Can you get to a meeting--those are FREE. As far as online study guides or workbooks--yes you can view them online...but it is much easier to go through them with another member in recovery. I go to a few different 12 step based groups, plus come here to SR for support. I find that at least seeing/speaking to others face to face a couple times during the week (whenever possible) helps me hold myself accountable and keeps me from isolating myself--plus alot of groups do go out to dinner or go do fun activities--like bowling or movies together...as a group.

flutter

I don't feel crippled, I feel stronger and more FREE than I ever have!

Try some meetings, if AA isn't for you (it isn't for me) there's usually other groups out there too!

doorknob

SMART Recovery® - Introduction

Anna

I didn't feel crippled, but I felt like I needed to learn how to live my life without numbing myself.

I turned to books, which is what I have always done.

"The Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav helped me to connect my spiritual self which was hugely important for my recovery.

TryingSoHard

I'm like Anna. I have my own personal library of recovery books now. At first it was almost like a mini-obsession - but in a helpful way.

I'm also (slowly) working on "being me" again... trying to get back into my old GOOD habits and do the FUN things that I used to love to do. It's slow and definitely a work in progress, but at least I'm TRYING.

IantheWino

So far I haven't discovered any "underlying issue" that alcohol was covering up. It gave me about an hour every evening where I felt happier than the rest of my day, but really, nothing horrible is going on in my life. I'm keeping my eyes open though, just in case I discover something about myself.

SavageHurricane

Thanks, that was the type of thing I was looking for. Thanks very much.

C23

How bout religion? How bout sports or fitness? There are a million things out there that you can now use as your new vice, new crutch, new addiction, new obsession, all which are better than the booze.

SavageHurricane

I understand that, but I actually want to heal some of the wounds that have plagued me from childhood. I don't want a crutch anymore. I want to stand up as a whole person who doesn't look back saying "why me?", "why did you do this to me?", "why didn't you love me?", "why did you hate me so much?".

I want to get OVER it. I want the nightmares to stop. And if I can't get that to happen I might not be able to stay sober.

least

I see an addiction counselor once a week. It helps with all sorts of isues, from addictions to family life. Do you have any sort of health service which has that? MIght be worth your while to find out. :ghug3

I qualify in my area cause of my income, or lack of it. Do you have any service like that?