ClearMind

Hi everyone,

Out of curiosity, how many people use these forums as their "support group" instead of (not in addition to) going to in-person meetings, such as AA? I have never been into AA, and I have always felt uncomfortable at meetings, but I love these forums and feel like I get all the support I need from them. I am wondering if other people feel the same?

resolute50

I use it as a "tool" to help me.
I've only been to one AA meeting many,many years ago.
It works for some,but,it's just not right for me.

To me,whatever works>>>>do it!

ClearMind

Bob, I feel the same way. AA is great for some, but it's just not for me.

foolsgold66

There are quite a few here that use this as their only support group. I do some reading and reflecting as well, but do not attend any support group like AA.

ImperfectlyMe

Hand raised this is my only support group!

dwtbd

Cool that means I'm kinda like in the Justice League!!

Received

I learned about AVRT during my very first post here at SR and made some friends here early on. RR/AVRT brought my drinking days to a screeching end. Boom! Done!

That doesn't mean I still don't have my friends and I certainly can relate to a lot of the post here and in the "friends and family" forum, both as a former drinker and a codie. I think it's referred to as a double winner?

<shrug> I feel safe here and that is HUGE for me.

digdug

I think that if it works for you, then great! Many people have gotten sober here just by using SR.

But if you have found yourself in a chronic cycle of relapse, despite actively participating here, then maybe some extra support may be in order, be it AA, a secular recovery program or counseling. There's nothing wrong with adding in more support to your recovery plan.

KateL

No, I'm just fine and dandy here and one or two groups on facebook.

chaili05

I definitely use this as support and I also attend 2 outpatient groups per week through my insurance company that I really enjoy. I attend a couple AA meetings per week as well... I really like the speaker meetings.
I love this site as it provides me with support at ALL hours and I don't have to drive to get it... and I also like seeing people in person

ScottFromWI

SR is my main source of support. I wouldn't be closed to trying others if i felt it wasn't enough though.

firstymer

I have relied, so far, on only you kind souls here at SR. No pressure though.

Renarde

Thus far this has been my main support, but I'd like to attend AA too.

ClearMind

SR has been my only source of support, other than reading books on alcoholism which have been helpful for sure.

ClaireFraser

SR is it for me. I don't feel that I can attend AA meetings, as my job would be in jeopardy if I were "out." In addition, I don't really feel that I have time to devote to AA with my family and work obligations. Having the ability to check in instantly and get immediate feedback is just one of the things I find incredibly helpful about SR and why I've made it a big part of my recovery plan.

Ornithology

This forum is my only support. AA is not for me. I did attend a SMART Recovery meeting once but it is 2 hours from my workplace, so I did not go back. I did find their handbook to be very helpful. I like this forum as I can jump on and off using my smartphone anytime and even in the middle of the night there are people from Europe, Australia, and elsewhere posting on here.

chaili05

I know what you mean, and I also want to say that I attend AA every once in a while and I have not done any steps nor do I have a sponsor... sure, I do not get as much out of it as I would if I were fully invested but that's not a requirement. I only say this so you know you have somewhere to go if you ever needed support apart from SR

malcolmsloan

My response is almost exactly the same as Scott's. If I start to feel that my sobriety is in jeopardy, I will alter my approach. But for now, SR is working, so I'm not going to try and fix what is not broken (sorry for the cliché).

ClearMind

Very interesting.. the majority of people use SR and only SR. I also love the fact that there are always people online, available for feedback and advice. You never have to wait for a meeting.

kaonashi

SR is a fantastic resource but I also regularly attend AA meetings. I didn't like the meetings, didn't like the people for a long time but I still kept going. And eventually it started to click.

Whatever works for you to not pick up a drink today is just fine by me. I see tremendous value in both in this virtual world and in the physical world in aa meetings.