Should I go to rehab?
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Midland, NC
Posts: 1,266
I'm a recovering opiate/cocaine addict...140 days clean. Before I went, I carried a list of rehabs in my purse for about a week. I knew that I needed help. I woke up one morning and made the call that saved my life. I could've gone to a rehab close to home, but that would have been to easy for me to walk out of, so I went to one that was several hundred miles away. It was a lot of work, but I did it and learned a lot about myself in the process. The bottom line is that YOU have to want this for YOU. It's not a magic fix. You have to really participate in your recovery, and that means doing what you don't want to, and hearing what you don't want to hear sometimes. During the time I was there, I wanted to walk out so many times, but somehow I stuck it out. The place I went to was "no frills" for sure! But looking back on it now...I'm glad it wasn't because I didn't need a vacation...I needed help. I needed it to be tough and it was! It also was the greatest gift I ever gave myself. I'm alive today because of it.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: HIGHLANDS
Posts: 121
im just wondering what is a dual diagnosis, what does that mean? and there are alot of advances in the field of addiction and lots of meds out there can really make a difference. going without is not the only way. dont listen to purest's or nazi AA's. use what is available and use what you need, everyone is different.
i wondering what are you addicted to? i know if it were opiates you have available addiction specialist's and meds like suboxone and methadone that do wonders for peoples lives. be well friend. hope you find what you need in life to prosper.
i wondering what are you addicted to? i know if it were opiates you have available addiction specialist's and meds like suboxone and methadone that do wonders for peoples lives. be well friend. hope you find what you need in life to prosper.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
just a wee FYI
The term dual diagnosis is used to describe the comorbid condition of a person considered to be suffering from a mental illness and a substance abuse problem. There is considerable debate surrounding the appropriateness of the term being used to describe a heterogeneous group of individuals with complex needs and a varied range of problems. The concept can be used broadly, for example depression and alcoholism, or it can be restricted to specify severe mental illness (e.g. psychosis, schizophrenia) and substance misuse disorder (e.g. cannabis abuse).
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,385
Originally Posted by MROBI 
nazi AA's.
I just want to say that I am not AA but I take great offense to this term. AA has done so much for so many. It got me started on my sobriety and I am grateful for that.
Katie is looking for genuine help on this thread so all AA's who are offended by those words, please ignore them and remember that this is Katie's thread. Let's give her the help she needs without expressing your anger which you have every right to have.
Peace,
Ken
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,141
Originally Posted by mle-sober
Katie - Sweetie,
There are wonderful advances in the treatment of addiction and depression. Remember the stories of people locked away for their whole life due to depression or bipolar? My grandfather had a large and important piece of his brain removed in an effort to cure his bipolar.
Even the programs and medications for alcoholism have grown and advanced over the years. They actually have medications to help with the intense cravings. They help some people.
But even a diabetic has to be involved in their care and actively working to control it - testing their blood, taking their medicine. Watching their diet. They can never let their guard down.
I understand that it is hard to accept your disease and the responsibility for it. I hate hate hate hate hate that I'm an alcoholic and bipolar. I just hate it. I would do almost anything to remove those two things from my life. And I feel resentful sometimes that I have to deal with them.
And then other times, I realize that I've had some very memorable and amazing experiences in recovery that I never would have had otherwise. I've learned more about myself and I've worked hard to grown emotionally and mentally. I'm a better person. I am truly a better person because I have had to confront my diseases and grow.
I have a whole notebook of blessings - things I am grateful for - that I never would've been motivated enough to recognize if I didn't have to walk this path in recovery. That in itself is a pretty big blessing.
Hang in there and just keep putting one foot in front of the next. Just keep asking yourself - Is this the next right thing? Don't ask yourself - Is this what I want or what makes me more comfortable or what feels best. Ask is this the next right thing. And you can only go in one direction that way. Toward healing.
Hugs.
There are wonderful advances in the treatment of addiction and depression. Remember the stories of people locked away for their whole life due to depression or bipolar? My grandfather had a large and important piece of his brain removed in an effort to cure his bipolar.
Even the programs and medications for alcoholism have grown and advanced over the years. They actually have medications to help with the intense cravings. They help some people.
But even a diabetic has to be involved in their care and actively working to control it - testing their blood, taking their medicine. Watching their diet. They can never let their guard down.
I understand that it is hard to accept your disease and the responsibility for it. I hate hate hate hate hate that I'm an alcoholic and bipolar. I just hate it. I would do almost anything to remove those two things from my life. And I feel resentful sometimes that I have to deal with them.
And then other times, I realize that I've had some very memorable and amazing experiences in recovery that I never would have had otherwise. I've learned more about myself and I've worked hard to grown emotionally and mentally. I'm a better person. I am truly a better person because I have had to confront my diseases and grow.
I have a whole notebook of blessings - things I am grateful for - that I never would've been motivated enough to recognize if I didn't have to walk this path in recovery. That in itself is a pretty big blessing.
Hang in there and just keep putting one foot in front of the next. Just keep asking yourself - Is this the next right thing? Don't ask yourself - Is this what I want or what makes me more comfortable or what feels best. Ask is this the next right thing. And you can only go in one direction that way. Toward healing.
Hugs.
I think you said something in another one of your posts and forgive me if I am wrong, but did you mention very bad things that happen to women? Well, those very bad things have happened to me too. Right now I am dealing with those feelings this week. I am not blaming anyone but myself, but I honestly don't understand the level of cruelty directed at myself this week by a member of AA. And that is really hurting right now. No one has EVER been so cruel to me, so I guess I'll find a way to deal with it. I am keeping to myself in AA except for the women and maybe a trusted man here and there.
mle-sober
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 1,243
First of all - good for you for going to a meeting. For determining that that is what is the right thing to do right now and then doing it. If you keep doing that step alone, you will begin to see growth and progress!
Secondly - I was regularly sexually assaulted for much of my childhood. I was raped at 14 by someone I knew. And then I was raped again by a stranger when I was 19.
I feel physical pain when I read your words, "I'm not blaming anyone but myself." Even if you made some bad choices and put yourself in a dangerous situation, you have every right to be angry - furious - at anyone who hurts you physically, who assualts you sexually, or who takes advantage of you.
There is always something to be learned from it and I hope you protect yourself better in the future. But more than that, I wish that this man and men like him could be taken out back, given a sure and shift kick in the privates and then shot.
There is no understanding cruelty. Don't try to make it make sense. It never will.
The fear, hurt, anger, confusion - that's a normal reaction, I've been told. It gets better. I know this. I will never understand what was done to me. And I'll never forget it. But most importantly, I will never again let it dominate and control my life.
Hang in ther Katie. Take care of yourself. And keep taking the next step, like I said. You're doing fine. It's a big and important journey you're on. It takes time and courage.
Keep the focus on you. Keep making sure you are still on the path. Don't let your past dominate your future. And don't drink.
If you keep doing these things, you will find you are making progress and one day you will look up and find that you have grown into the distant future where you are older, wiser, happier, and more at peace than ever.
Secondly - I was regularly sexually assaulted for much of my childhood. I was raped at 14 by someone I knew. And then I was raped again by a stranger when I was 19.
I feel physical pain when I read your words, "I'm not blaming anyone but myself." Even if you made some bad choices and put yourself in a dangerous situation, you have every right to be angry - furious - at anyone who hurts you physically, who assualts you sexually, or who takes advantage of you.
There is always something to be learned from it and I hope you protect yourself better in the future. But more than that, I wish that this man and men like him could be taken out back, given a sure and shift kick in the privates and then shot.
There is no understanding cruelty. Don't try to make it make sense. It never will.
The fear, hurt, anger, confusion - that's a normal reaction, I've been told. It gets better. I know this. I will never understand what was done to me. And I'll never forget it. But most importantly, I will never again let it dominate and control my life.
Hang in ther Katie. Take care of yourself. And keep taking the next step, like I said. You're doing fine. It's a big and important journey you're on. It takes time and courage.
Keep the focus on you. Keep making sure you are still on the path. Don't let your past dominate your future. And don't drink.
If you keep doing these things, you will find you are making progress and one day you will look up and find that you have grown into the distant future where you are older, wiser, happier, and more at peace than ever.
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