First Post
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Clinton, MT
Posts: 255
First Post
I started recovery back in '93. I stayed sober until about '05 when I went down to New Orleans to work. For the 1st couple of years I attended AA faithfully, worked the steps, etc.
My problem seems to be severe anxiety....even when in AA I was very uncomfortable with meetings. I hated them but went anyway because I was afraid not to.
Sponsors/doctors seem to say that if you fear something...just keep doing it until it's comfortable....that never happened..
Now, I'm 56 and this is day 4. I went to a meeting the 1st day and, you guessed it, I was in a panic. I called a number from someone at the meeting and, of course, they give me the 90 meetings in 90 days recommendation.
I've got an appointment with a counselor in a week or so and will try to make it to another meeting, or two, but it honestly seems to increase, rather than decrease, my social anxieties.
I'm glad for this forum. It's much better, at least for me, than going back into the meeting rooms.
I've got some mild meds for the anxiety and they seem to be helping a little.
I suppose that in my years of AA that I got the message that you either do it our way or you are guaranteed to drink again.
Anyway, thank you folks for being here. Have a great day.
My problem seems to be severe anxiety....even when in AA I was very uncomfortable with meetings. I hated them but went anyway because I was afraid not to.
Sponsors/doctors seem to say that if you fear something...just keep doing it until it's comfortable....that never happened..
Now, I'm 56 and this is day 4. I went to a meeting the 1st day and, you guessed it, I was in a panic. I called a number from someone at the meeting and, of course, they give me the 90 meetings in 90 days recommendation.
I've got an appointment with a counselor in a week or so and will try to make it to another meeting, or two, but it honestly seems to increase, rather than decrease, my social anxieties.
I'm glad for this forum. It's much better, at least for me, than going back into the meeting rooms.
I've got some mild meds for the anxiety and they seem to be helping a little.
I suppose that in my years of AA that I got the message that you either do it our way or you are guaranteed to drink again.
Anyway, thank you folks for being here. Have a great day.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 945
Welcome Bruce 
I personally don't do AA, I use this site for my continuing journey of sobriety. You are in the best place. Its great! Loads of advice. There are loads of AA members here as well as well as a 12 step part of the forum. Keep reading and posting, good luck to you
I personally don't do AA, I use this site for my continuing journey of sobriety. You are in the best place. Its great! Loads of advice. There are loads of AA members here as well as well as a 12 step part of the forum. Keep reading and posting, good luck to you
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 75
Welcome Bruce! I am new here too. I totally relate to the anxiety. It's brutal. Glad you have some meds. I used to use Xanax but was abusing those too (shocker) and found the rebound anxiety to be unbearable. Using an herbal supplement now with SJW, HTP, kava kava and valerian. Not a doctor by any means but it seems to help me, especially with sleep.
Haven't been to a meeting yet because the very idea makes me break out in a sweat. Have you looked into other recovery programs? There are lots of forums about the choices on here I believe. Again, new to this site too.
Keep posting!!
Haven't been to a meeting yet because the very idea makes me break out in a sweat. Have you looked into other recovery programs? There are lots of forums about the choices on here I believe. Again, new to this site too.
Keep posting!!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
Hello Bruce:
They told me not to quit just before the miracle happened.
In you original post it seems that you got good suggestions, are you going back to the tables?
I wish you the best.
Bob R
They told me not to quit just before the miracle happened.
In you original post it seems that you got good suggestions, are you going back to the tables?
I wish you the best.
Bob R
Self recovered Self discovered
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 5,148
G'Day, Bruce, and welcome to SR.
This makes me sad and angry at the same time, Bruce. There are so many that believe that the only alternative is drunkenness, and the addiction is happy to hear that. 'I guess they were right after all, you will find me at the bar'. Senseless tragedies can be the result.
This is wrong, false and destructive. Even if you believed this back then, please look around, and see for yourself. You need to find a way to work with yourself rather than against, and your anxiety and panic over recommendations of more of the same are telling you something.
There are many alternatives to AA, Bruce. Let google find them for you, learn about alcoholism and modern literature and studies about addiction. You can start at SoberRecovery's own forum - Secular Connections - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information. Things have changed in 20 years, and you owe it to yourself to make an informed decision.
I suppose that in my years of AA that I got the message that you either do it our way or you are guaranteed to drink again.
This is wrong, false and destructive. Even if you believed this back then, please look around, and see for yourself. You need to find a way to work with yourself rather than against, and your anxiety and panic over recommendations of more of the same are telling you something.
There are many alternatives to AA, Bruce. Let google find them for you, learn about alcoholism and modern literature and studies about addiction. You can start at SoberRecovery's own forum - Secular Connections - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information. Things have changed in 20 years, and you owe it to yourself to make an informed decision.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5,678
Welcome to SR Bruce
AA is fab, but there are other recovery methods...AVRT, SMART... maybe you could even look at doing online meetings if your anxiety is really bad. How did you feel AA worked out for you before? Was it just the social anxiety which caused you not to like it?
I'm sure SR will be a huge help to you too x
AA is fab, but there are other recovery methods...AVRT, SMART... maybe you could even look at doing online meetings if your anxiety is really bad. How did you feel AA worked out for you before? Was it just the social anxiety which caused you not to like it?
I'm sure SR will be a huge help to you too
x
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Clinton, MT
Posts: 255
Thanks guys. I read a little about the avrt and the RR program. That's almost spooky but then I probably have an AA-programed mindset. I realize that at just a few days sober I'm probably not thinking very straight.
I'm just going to make it to bedtime without a drink today and deal with tomorrow when it comes, I suppose.
I'm just going to make it to bedtime without a drink today and deal with tomorrow when it comes, I suppose.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,416
there are other secular programmes too like SMART and lifering...no doubt there are others too...
I encourage you to check out every option you can Bruce...it's in your best interest to find a good recovery 'fit'
D
I encourage you to check out every option you can Bruce...it's in your best interest to find a good recovery 'fit'
D
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,554
Hi Bruce. My problem was anxiety, too - but in the end drinking was making it so much worse. My answer was to just drink more - until I'd worked my way up to a 30-pack a day. In the end, nothing was fun, exciting, or interesting. I'm so glad you aren't settling for that old, sick way of life.
Congratulations on reclaiming your life, and on your Day 4. You know you can do this, Bruce - you've done it before. This can be the last time you have to go through this. We're all rooting for you.
Congratulations on reclaiming your life, and on your Day 4. You know you can do this, Bruce - you've done it before. This can be the last time you have to go through this. We're all rooting for you.
Sober Alcoholic
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,539
AA meetings are AAmeetings. The AA program is the AA program. Most people find the meetings helpful. If you don't then get a sponsor and do the program in the way that suits you. Perhaps you can tolerate some VERY small meetings or start one for those of like mind. Best wishes
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Irish
Posts: 552
Welcome to SR Bruce....I found ACA...after 30 years of AA.
AA helped me to Stay Away from Alcohol/Tranx...the Obsession also left.
We are all different....I did the AA Steps...but this was not enough.
There are Some of us that Need More than just AA.
I Suffer From PTSD....this is as a Result of Constant
Tention in the Home of My Earthly Parents.
My Inner Child....that always felt different is what was the Problem.
I could never Mix with others...Make Real Friends.
Check ot the Laundry List of ACA....it may just Click.
AA helped me to Stay Away from Alcohol/Tranx...the Obsession also left.
We are all different....I did the AA Steps...but this was not enough.
There are Some of us that Need More than just AA.
I Suffer From PTSD....this is as a Result of Constant
Tention in the Home of My Earthly Parents.
My Inner Child....that always felt different is what was the Problem.
I could never Mix with others...Make Real Friends.
Check ot the Laundry List of ACA....it may just Click.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Between Meetings
Posts: 8,997
Originally Posted by BruceJ 
For the 1st couple of years I attended AA faithfully, worked the steps, etc.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,772
Welcome to the family! I got, and stayed, sober with the help of my addiction counselor and this site and have been happily sober over two years. There are many ways to recover your life. Find what suits you and work it like your life depends on it. 
There are many ways to recover your life. Find what suits you and work it like your life depends on it. 
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Water's Edge
Posts: 239
Bruce, if you are basically an introverted sort who finds over stimulation in groups and feels far more comfort alone or with a small number of people, then any group oriented recovery process might not be your best choice. As others have said, there are other ways to do it.
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome BruceJ!
I'm really glad you're here - this place was my constant companion for those first days of sobriety. I kept things really, really simple - it was enough to focus on getting through the next day (hour or minute) without drinking.
I think we find out what tools are best for us along the way..... I've used almost all of them at different times and they've all been helpful.
Look forward to seeing you around the forum!
I'm really glad you're here - this place was my constant companion for those first days of sobriety. I kept things really, really simple - it was enough to focus on getting through the next day (hour or minute) without drinking.
I think we find out what tools are best for us along the way..... I've used almost all of them at different times and they've all been helpful.
Look forward to seeing you around the forum!
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