Sweets79

As many of you know I'm new here, today is my 10th day sober, hard as hell, but I'm fighting....I called my insurance company to ask if they could recommend a good female addiction specialist, because I believe I'm an alcoholic and need treatment...She paused for a good 10 seconds, I didn't even think she heard me lol...ugh, anyway, she said (very nasty by the way) I can't recommend anyone...So I just went to look in the book (which I don't like just picking out random D.R.'s., but ok whatever).. There are only 6 or 7Health Centers , including 2 hospitals.. that deal with addiction therapy...I really think I need to move, besides not even enjoying living here, everything is so limited...I can't even find an AA meeting here...Ok anyway...Whoever I spoke to said they do group therapy first, then they assign you to a therapist, but I believe you still have to go to group therapy along with seeing the therapist one on one...I just want to speak to someone one on one and then if I decide I want to join a group I was going to look into AA. The outpatient program in the hospital just called me back and said they have to give me a TB test, bloodwork, and a complete physical before I can see anyone...I just had a physical done a few months ago, but they are saying I still have to have all this done...Is this how it usually works? Actually I just had to edit...one health center just called me back, and they said I don't need a physical, I can just come in...so I guess I'm going to stick with that one...sorry all for the long post...I still prefer one on one but with this program she said you have to do both...I'm going to give it a shot.

CarolD

Glad you are doing this......

They might also know where to find AA
and a half way house.

Tazman53

Sweets I tried my way for many years and stayed drunk, sobriety became far easier when I started to follow simple suggestions rather then having it all my way or no way.

Glad to see you found a program that you find acceptable. One of the main reasons for group sessions is to where you can learn you are not alone. Alcoholism is a non-discriminatory disease, it does not care if you are rich or poor, black or white, male or female, a beleiver or an aethiest.

In AA I know people from every walk of life, the neat thing is no matter how much money or prestige one has, we have all found a common solution.

Have you ever wondered why some very rich people use AA? Some how I doubt it is because they are cheap! LOL

Believe808

That's good you found somewhere.

tommyk

Start going to AA and/or NA meetings.

You will find the most world reknowned addiction specialtists there.

They will share their experience, strength, and hope.

Tosh

Sweets,

If you read my initial back posts, I was in a similar position to yourself. I'd seen the doctor, had therepy, and just kept on drinking.

From my first post here, asking for help, two years elapsed before I walked into a room full of alcoholics; the AA. I then came back to this site and thanked the people who must've planted the 'AA seed' into my alcohol damaged brain.

I honestly wish I'd taken the advice I was given here two-years-ago.

Although I'm only 9 days sober, there's something different about stopping drinking this time, and it can only be down to the 'Band of Brothers and Sisters' who make up my AA home group.

Hey, it's almost an enjoyable way of stopping drinking; it's not scary at all; so stop 'white knuckling it' and please make the effort of getting youself to your local AA group.

From one n00b to another, you won't regret it, honest.

Take care,

Tosh.

Sweets79

Thanks Carol...My living situation is not the best, but I can deal with it...The place I'm living in is nice actually, it's just who I am dealing with that lives here is what can drive me nuts sometimes...I will just go out for a walk or go in the other room when I feel this person pushing my buttons...I'm glad I'm doing this too, I'm surprised I even had the motivation to make the calls.

Sweets79

For me it's been very hard to find good D.R.'S, whether it be primary care or therapists...I've been to a few therapists on and off in my life...even before I started drinking, because I used to have severe depression at times...and honestly I never found a good one...I believe they are out there, but they are far and few in between...Actually when I made the appointment this morning, the girl on the phone gave me me the name of the therapist I will be seeing initially (I guess to evaluate me...see which group to place me in, whatever) and I recognized her name and had seen her once a few years ago and I had stopped going to her, she wasn't for me...The receptionist on the phone was very accomodating though...I told her I'd like to see another therapist, (deinitely a woman though) and she gave me an appt. with a different one...I will see how this goes...Everyone on here has been so wonderful...If I didn't find this site, I know I would've definitely picked up a drink by now :ghug

Anna

Hi Sweets,

It's good to see you moving forward with plans for your recovery.

flutter

I'm happy that you found something!!

Mark75

Hey... glad to see you are getting some help.

I don't mean to be a pain with this AA thing... but if there are 6 or 7 health centers and a couple hospitals in your general area, there are some AA meetings in the same area...

Did you log on to the AA site for your neck of the woods, or call their hotline? They'll be alot easier to deal with than the sourpuss at you insurance company.

But if you are not sure yet about AA, that's OK, I'm not trying to pester you, just trying to help.

Great news about the therapist.

Mark

Tazman53

Mark I was thinking the same thing, we have 2 hospitals and 2 health centers in my area and over 70 AA meetings per week.

Sweets79

Thanks I checked the website for AA meetings in my area, and the meeting schedule was for '08 lol...When I go to my appointment Friday, I will inquire about it there...I'm sure they have some info on current AA meetings there.

Tazman53

Sweets did you try calling the phone number, they will know the latest meeting schedule and you can ask to talk to a lady and see what meeting she would reccommend in your area for a beginner.

Sweets79

Nope, I didn't try calling the number yet...I was researching finding a therapist all morning lol...My appt. with the therapist is this Friday though..If I try to do too many things now, I just freeze up..my mind is still kind of foggy and I have lots of confusion and thoughts..I don't wanna take on too much at once...I'm glad I even did this research today...My mind gets bombarded easily..I want to see what happens Friday, and then I will think think about AA...I'm going to definitely get info on when and where the meetings are though.

IGGYLOVESU

Hey, I'm a guy 63 and you need a hug...I'm also a LCADC and you are getting good info from the group here... even though I am counselor I owe my life to the 12 step programs don't drink, don't think and go to meetings ! If you are detoxing ( going through withdrawal )please get some medical help(fri)...sounds like you are being abused too getting help from a women's shelter would be OK also.Going to meetings IS the key,calling for help IS hard...walking into my first priceless.Peace

Sweets79

Hi Iggy...thanks for your concern, but I'm not being abused...I am just dealing with a person I can't get along with and I feel that it hinders my sobriety...I'm not in any danger or anything like that...just dealing with someone who tends to push my buttons alot, but I can leave and take a walk or just go in the other room...Now is a delicate time for be, being so early on in my sobriety so I am getting irritated right now at just about everything...and yes I could use a big hug!