Evaluation for Alcoholism
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa
Posts: 169
Evaluation for Alcoholism
Hi All,
I finally pulled the trigger and have decided to go for treamtment of my alcohol addiction. I have an appointment at 10am on Friday for my Evaluation. From the conversation I had over the phone it sounds like I will probably be going into a program called "Intensive Outpatient". The first month will be 2 hour sessions 3 times a week and I will also be required to attend atleast 3 AA meetings per week.
I am really looking foward to getting this going. I'm curious if anybody out there have done similar programs and have any feedback on the results.
I finally pulled the trigger and have decided to go for treamtment of my alcohol addiction. I have an appointment at 10am on Friday for my Evaluation. From the conversation I had over the phone it sounds like I will probably be going into a program called "Intensive Outpatient". The first month will be 2 hour sessions 3 times a week and I will also be required to attend atleast 3 AA meetings per week.
I am really looking foward to getting this going. I'm curious if anybody out there have done similar programs and have any feedback on the results.
Thriving sober since 12/18/08
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 3,115
I'm in a modified IOP program, 1:1 counseling 2x a week.. My therapist doesn't recommend AA, but I know that some do. I'm glad that you have a plan in place! Let us know how things go!!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 36
Hi Ruch,
This was my experience in IOP (intensive outpatient therapy). I was first interviewed by a facilitator. This is private interview which can be quite extensive. I was asked about my drinking history and habit. This like when I first started, frequency, toleration type questions. Family chemical abuse history etc. From there, the facilitator worked up my treatment program. From there I started with the meetings. She used the info she got from me to assign various "homework". She did this with everyone so weekly we all would have to present our "homework" to the group. These were assignments like listing your 'consequences' and how that affected areas of our lives (this was the toughest of all). Things like that. Most of the people in there were court ordered. The results are as good as your intention and how well the facilitator manages the group. I've done 2 and the facilitator (chemical dependency counselor) can make it or break it in my opinion. But does it work? It saved my life! Just go in with an open mind and be prepared to work hard! Good luck.
Amy
This was my experience in IOP (intensive outpatient therapy). I was first interviewed by a facilitator. This is private interview which can be quite extensive. I was asked about my drinking history and habit. This like when I first started, frequency, toleration type questions. Family chemical abuse history etc. From there, the facilitator worked up my treatment program. From there I started with the meetings. She used the info she got from me to assign various "homework". She did this with everyone so weekly we all would have to present our "homework" to the group. These were assignments like listing your 'consequences' and how that affected areas of our lives (this was the toughest of all). Things like that. Most of the people in there were court ordered. The results are as good as your intention and how well the facilitator manages the group. I've done 2 and the facilitator (chemical dependency counselor) can make it or break it in my opinion. But does it work? It saved my life! Just go in with an open mind and be prepared to work hard! Good luck.
Amy
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa
Posts: 169
Originally Posted by flutter 
I'm in a modified IOP program, 1:1 counseling 2x a week.. My therapist doesn't recommend AA, but I know that some do. I'm glad that you have a plan in place! Let us know how things go!!
So after the evaluation does the therapist make recommendations on an individual basis? AA recommended for some but not others? I am looking foward to the 1:1 sessions more than anything right now. The person I spoke to on the phone mentioned the 3 AA meetings a week requirement but he was just someone taking my info. I'll find out more on Friday, obviously.
I'm really excited about it. Thanks for the feedback, flutter.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa
Posts: 169
Originally Posted by Amy08
Hi Ruch,
This was my experience in IOP (intensive outpatient therapy). I was first interviewed by a facilitator. This is private interview which can be quite extensive. I was asked about my drinking history and habit. This like when I first started, frequency, toleration type questions. Family chemical abuse history etc. From there, the facilitator worked up my treatment program. From there I started with the meetings. She used the info she got from me to assign various "homework". She did this with everyone so weekly we all would have to present our "homework" to the group. These were assignments like listing your 'consequences' and how that affected areas of our lives (this was the toughest of all). Things like that. Most of the people in there were court ordered. The results are as good as your intention and how well the facilitator manages the group. I've done 2 and the facilitator (chemical dependency counselor) can make it or break it in my opinion. But does it work? It saved my life! Just go in with an open mind and be prepared to work hard! Good luck.
Amy
This was my experience in IOP (intensive outpatient therapy). I was first interviewed by a facilitator. This is private interview which can be quite extensive. I was asked about my drinking history and habit. This like when I first started, frequency, toleration type questions. Family chemical abuse history etc. From there, the facilitator worked up my treatment program. From there I started with the meetings. She used the info she got from me to assign various "homework". She did this with everyone so weekly we all would have to present our "homework" to the group. These were assignments like listing your 'consequences' and how that affected areas of our lives (this was the toughest of all). Things like that. Most of the people in there were court ordered. The results are as good as your intention and how well the facilitator manages the group. I've done 2 and the facilitator (chemical dependency counselor) can make it or break it in my opinion. But does it work? It saved my life! Just go in with an open mind and be prepared to work hard! Good luck.
Amy
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 36
Originally Posted by ruch
Thanks for sharing your experience, Amy. The meetings you are referring to, are they AA meetings or group councelling? Do you have 1 on 1 councelling also as part of your program?
No one on one. Although the facilitator made herself available if needed. The 3 weekly meetings were all with her and the same group of women. About 8 of us. Everyone pretty much knows alot about each other by the time we were done. AA meetings recommended but not required. Mine was a hospital based program if that makes any difference.
Amy
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 7
Originally Posted by ruch
Hi All,
I finally pulled the trigger and have decided to go for treamtment of my alcohol addiction. I have an appointment at 10am on Friday for my Evaluation. From the conversation I had over the phone it sounds like I will probably be going into a program called "Intensive Outpatient". The first month will be 2 hour sessions 3 times a week and I will also be required to attend atleast 3 AA meetings per week.
I am really looking foward to getting this going. I'm curious if anybody out there have done similar programs and have any feedback on the results.
I finally pulled the trigger and have decided to go for treamtment of my alcohol addiction. I have an appointment at 10am on Friday for my Evaluation. From the conversation I had over the phone it sounds like I will probably be going into a program called "Intensive Outpatient". The first month will be 2 hour sessions 3 times a week and I will also be required to attend atleast 3 AA meetings per week.
I am really looking foward to getting this going. I'm curious if anybody out there have done similar programs and have any feedback on the results.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
No I did not do an IOP program....however
I am proud of you for getting assistance
Yes I do find AA to be an awesome adventure
in living sober and serene.
Lack 'a' power
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 88
I finally pulled the trigger and have decided to go for treamtment of my alcohol addiction.
I wish you well.
My therapist doesn't recommend AA, but I know that some do.
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
Ruch let me share my experience.
I went to a specialist on alcoholism & drug addiction told him the whole truth about my drinking history and he put me into a medical detox.
I was in a medical detox for 5 days where they told us over and over again that "If you want a chance at long term sobriety go to at least 90 AA meetings in 90 days and get a sponsor.
When I was being discharged from detox my counselor set me up with a inprocessing interview for IOP in a week and once again emphasized AA.
Well I wanted to stay sober so bad that I was willing to do what ever it took to stay sober and went to my first local AA meeting that night after I got home and I got a temporary sponsor.
A week after I got out of detox I went to my inprocessing interview for IOP, the counselor was a great guy and asked how I was doing, I told him that I had gotten a temporary sponsor and was going to at least one, sometimes 2 AA meetings a day and calling folks in AA every day. He interviewed me for about an hour all total.
At the end of the interview he asked me if I felt AA was going to be enough or did I want to start IOP also? I told him I felt AA was doing the job for know and asked him if I felt I needed more could I still do IOP later. He told me all I had to do was call him if I wanted to start IOP.
Once the interview was over he said he would walk me to my truck because he was going to lunch. As we walked he shared with me that he was a recovering alcoholic and that AA had been the solution for him as well, his parting words of advice were to be honest, open minded, and willing to follow suggestions and things would work out!
The man was right, here it is 2 1/2 years later, and thanks to the program of AA, the fellowship, and my HP, I am still sober, happy being sober, comfortable in my own skin and today I sponsor other men and help others to gain and maintian sobriety.
I never did go to IOP, but several of my sponsee's have and have told me IOP was not a waste of time, but said without AA they never could have stayed sober.
I went to a specialist on alcoholism & drug addiction told him the whole truth about my drinking history and he put me into a medical detox.
I was in a medical detox for 5 days where they told us over and over again that "If you want a chance at long term sobriety go to at least 90 AA meetings in 90 days and get a sponsor.
When I was being discharged from detox my counselor set me up with a inprocessing interview for IOP in a week and once again emphasized AA.
Well I wanted to stay sober so bad that I was willing to do what ever it took to stay sober and went to my first local AA meeting that night after I got home and I got a temporary sponsor.
A week after I got out of detox I went to my inprocessing interview for IOP, the counselor was a great guy and asked how I was doing, I told him that I had gotten a temporary sponsor and was going to at least one, sometimes 2 AA meetings a day and calling folks in AA every day. He interviewed me for about an hour all total.
At the end of the interview he asked me if I felt AA was going to be enough or did I want to start IOP also? I told him I felt AA was doing the job for know and asked him if I felt I needed more could I still do IOP later. He told me all I had to do was call him if I wanted to start IOP.
Once the interview was over he said he would walk me to my truck because he was going to lunch. As we walked he shared with me that he was a recovering alcoholic and that AA had been the solution for him as well, his parting words of advice were to be honest, open minded, and willing to follow suggestions and things would work out!
The man was right, here it is 2 1/2 years later, and thanks to the program of AA, the fellowship, and my HP, I am still sober, happy being sober, comfortable in my own skin and today I sponsor other men and help others to gain and maintian sobriety.
I never did go to IOP, but several of my sponsee's have and have told me IOP was not a waste of time, but said without AA they never could have stayed sober.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa
Posts: 169
Today is my 12th day of sobriety. Today was also the day of my evaluation. It went well. Amy, you were right, the interview was very extensive. He asked me all about my previous drug use, drinking, family history, etc. I enjoyed the experience and weird as that sounds. Afterwards he admitted me into IOP which will begin on Monday. It is going to entail 3 group meetings per week. The meetings will last for 2 hours each. The intensive outpatiant portion of the program will last for 6 weeks.
I just got back from my first AA meeting in over a year. The treatment center I am using does tend to push AA as another tool in the process. I am going into this with an opened mind for a change and enjoyed the meeting. The higher power thing is still an issue for me but like I said, my mind is opened and I'm going to listen to what these people have to say. They are doing a lot better than me, so they must be on to something.
I just got back from my first AA meeting in over a year. The treatment center I am using does tend to push AA as another tool in the process. I am going into this with an opened mind for a change and enjoyed the meeting. The higher power thing is still an issue for me but like I said, my mind is opened and I'm going to listen to what these people have to say. They are doing a lot better than me, so they must be on to something.
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,649
I'm in a "lite" outpatient program. I guess you could call it that - I was evaluated by a doctor (blood work), was offered antabuse, and see a therapist once a week. I used antabuse to start out my sobriety and recently stopped using it. I think it did help me get started because 1) I was drinking a huge amount of alcohol when I stopped and 2) I probably had between 2 to 4 alcohol-craving thoughts per hour.
At the same time I started with the outpatient program I started going to AA meetings. I find AA to be as effective as my outpatient program, especially my sponsor. She is really experienced and wise and for all practical purposes is like a therapist. So, in a way I have the luxury of two therapists.
I may eventually stop using the outpatient program, but I find my therapist so helpful in a lot of matters that go beyond alcohol, such as my marriage problems, so, I don't see myself ending the program anytime soon.
I don't see myself ending AA either. I am the type of person who needs a lot of structure and support and I find that in AA.
At the same time I started with the outpatient program I started going to AA meetings. I find AA to be as effective as my outpatient program, especially my sponsor. She is really experienced and wise and for all practical purposes is like a therapist. So, in a way I have the luxury of two therapists.
I may eventually stop using the outpatient program, but I find my therapist so helpful in a lot of matters that go beyond alcohol, such as my marriage problems, so, I don't see myself ending the program anytime soon.
I don't see myself ending AA either. I am the type of person who needs a lot of structure and support and I find that in AA.
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