suki44883

I hope you don't listen to him. He cannot tell you No. It's your decision and I hope you will do what YOU think is best for YOU. I also hope you stop going to those meetings. They sounds absolutely awful and depressing.

Latte

Well if it's obsessive that is another story.

I burn off steam by sweating, it keeps me sane and balanced. I wasted enough time using and drinking. I want to make my seconds count, by eating right, working out and staying clean and sober I can do that.

OklaBH

Wth? We aren't busting our asses in recovery just to sit at home. We want to enjoy life and have fun. If those restrictions were real I would go back to drinking.

susanlauren

NewWings,
Have you considered finding a different PCP and a different support group? It doesn't sound as if this is the right group for you. Of course, that is your decision to make.
Susan

laurie6781

Huh?????

This guy is a 'fruitcake' I M H O.

Heck, I am almost 66 years old and am working on getting my Pilot's License.

I learned in my first couple of years of recovery that 'MODERATION"' was the 'key.' I got sober to LIVE life. Had to learn about the moderation and not going 'overboard.'

If you were a gymnast and want to get back to it and to work toward the (mini) triathlon, I see no reason why not. Just don't overdue, take it slow and easy and GO FOR IT.

I cannot tell you what to do, but if I were you, I would find a different doc and different group, but that is just me.

Please keep posting and let us know how YOU are doing as we do care very much.

Love and hugs,

EmeraldRose

Does this group have any backup for their belief system? Are they using documentation, books or videos or just a big no fun god?

newwings

Thanks for all your input. Luckily I'm not forced to go to this group (unlike some of the others there) so I will look around. The doctor didn't even want to really talk to me until I'd been to an AA meeting. Very dismissive - basically, don't bother coming back to me until you've done it. That's fine, it's something I'll look into at some point, but I don't feel I'm an AA person. More a Rational Recovery type person. And I'm going to darn well get out there, ride my bike in an exciting - and yes! possibly risky fashion - and maybe, for a shocker, totally rock out to some AC/DC or early Ozzy Osbourne this evening (whilst doing the ironing, LOL)

LaFemme

Live dangerously

newwings

EmeraldRose - it's an open group to anyone who has seen the resident Drugs/Alcohol doctor at my local Healthcare Provider's medical offices. He speaks at the meeting and also raises topics for discussion. I've checked, he's on the Healthcare Provider's website. He's the 'specialist' - the go to guy when you sit and blub to your regular doctor and they send you off to spill in detail to him. In the same building. So he's legit, just a spoilsport, I reckon

* There's no belief system as such, but you are strongly recommended to attend NA/AA depending on your drug of choice. It's just a talking group for sharing experiences.

JTele

I agree with the "fruitcake" or "nut" analogy.....hands down! If anything, I would think that supporters of sobriety would want to offer the recovering alcoholic or junkie the opportunity to feel and experience the adrenaline buzz that life naturally provides for us. Of course I get a natural high when I'm playing my guitar, but that's why I've been doing it for over 40 years! And that's only one of the various natural highs I shoot for every day in order to keep my sanity and to keep myself from drinking. Heck, if I couldn't play music, ride my bike, make love to my wife, etc., etc., I might as well go out right now and buy myself a case of Jack Daniels in order to drown my sorrows over all of the things I'm not allowed to do. That's just plain ridiculous, IMO.

LaFemme

I'm high on life

JTele

Me too! It's a great feeling, isn't it?

Mark75

I know, third post in this thread... but this one really got me. Next time you go ....share with them what a bunch of recovered(ing) drunks and addicts here on SR had to say about this. And ask him if he is in recovery himself.

As I mentioned, this idea of no extremes is not crazy or unique to this physician... and I'm not sure where it comes from... I read it in a recovery book... what to expect in recovery, or something like that.... I do absolutely believe that exercise, good music, a little thrill seeking is NOT a substitute for a true recovery program, however...

Like many of us has said, what's the freakin' point ... shoot, if I gotta sit out life, then poor me... pour me another...

artsoul

:crazy

I guess that leaves reading (as long as it's not a good book of course). wow.....

michelle01

I feel like I agree and disagree. I know that as an addictive personality, I seem naturally predisposed to extremes of feeling and thought, I take everything to the nth degree, I get obsessive and don't know where to stop. It's all or nothing, nothing by halves. When I was medicated for cravings, I felt far more on an even keel. It's as if the addictive/cravings center of my brain is also responsible for my extreme swings in other areas.

There are substitutes for addiction which may normally be helpful and positive, but taken too far can be detrimental. That can include such things as exercise and risk taking behavior - it promotes an adrenalin or endorphin rush, which people can genuinely become addicted to. There are even people who can take 'recovery' to an extreme, to the neglect of other important things in their lives.

The key is balance. But hey, I have a passion for music - I couldn't imagine life without it, it's been immensely therapeutic for me in recovery. The same goes for my spirituality. There are natural ups and downs in life that we go through. Life should have some color in it along the way and every now and then, I think it is healthy to do something outside our own square, to take a risk with something.

iliveforyou

Wow. I'm gonna have to agree with most here in their responses to this. Sounds absolutely absurd to me!! I don't think I could bring myself to go to another group like the one you are speaking of. Talk about depressing.

I hope you find another healthy group to attend, if that's what you choose to do. This one seems so...extreme.

Music has always played a huge role in recovery. I would be lost without my music!

The thought of leading an existance where we weren't allowed ANY excitement? How discouraging.

-Jess

FreeDance

That is contrary to everything I've ever heard or read.

I agree with those who suggest trying to find a different doctor, group, or class.

topspin

Free,
I'm on board with everyone here. The only downside (besides the obsessive / compulsive aspect, ....would be the injury aspect, maybe.

You know your capabilities though, and training for a Tri. is a great goal. You come over to our fitness thread and pose this !?!

OMG , ..blasphemy !!!!

AWOL

Newwings... it seems they're telling you not to be passionate about life. Skydiving, dancing, singing, rock climbing, sex are passions, and what is life without passion?

It seems appropriate to quote Francois de la Rochefoucalde here:

"Those who have had great passions often find all their lives made miserable in being cured of them."

Moral of story... get into the nearest airplane!

Gorpus

you definitely still need to do those things! not drinking shouldnt make you not be able to accomplish awesome things like a triathlon!i say dont listen to that guy.