happyfree2525

I would love to hear thoughts on how some of you decided what was going to work for you to get sober. Can you go it alone, is AA the best way to go, private counseling? For some reason I am horribly embarrassed to go to an AA meeting but scared I won't be able to do this alone.

MIRecovery

For me it took

1. IOP
2. IOP + AA
3. AA

I tried to do it by myself many times and never was successfull

Tonymblue

I am totally sr and total abstinence. I honestly dont want a drink until i have one, then its full steam ahead. Four day binge, then withdrawals that make me wish i was dead.

Gazza

the more resources you can afford/ arrange the better.

Im using or used
doctor and medication
Private counselling
Church and prayer
sober recovery
AA meetings
Big Book reading
relaxation tapes
Meditation
diet and exercise
integrative recovery book, Life recovery Bible, Understanding Alcoholism books
Smart worksheets
quitting Drink the easy way.

All helped in some way!

Resolv

After failing the "by myself" method. I decided on the "all in" approach. Spoke with my MD. Followed medical insurance's protocol by going to the emergency room when withdrawal set in. Spent a few days in hospital. Upon release, made arrangements to see therapist via employee assistance program. I now see therapist & MD regularly. Attended my first group meeting last Saturday (Lifering). 46 days today. So far, so good.

Inchworm

I have tried countless times to stay sober for good. This is the first time -through SR - I have admitted to others my problem and asked for help. I think I needed to have community helping all along. Addiction is too big a problem to do it all alone and there is no reason to do so.

courage2

SR
Then SR + AA
Then SR + AA + psychiatry
Then SR + AA + psychiatry + .....

That last ...., I don't know. The first 3 are enough to keep me abstinent, so far, but I'm still searching for the thing that will make it feel worthwhile. Getting there, though

Soberwolf

I would say aa first and when you make the call in the UK somebody normally meets up with and takes you for your first few times

Good place to start on the road to recovery

Hobbers

What does the psychiatrist do/offer/provide?

I told my Dr. He gave me Campral.

Ptcapote

I like Gazza's response and agree with it. I think you try as many things until you find one or a combination of some that work. I started with SR and then found I needed more one-on-one so went to AA. I also found that antidepressants work A LOT better if you're not drinking on them. So I sorted that out too.

Now I do AA, SR and take my anti-depressant meds. Seems to work. But I also know that I have to stay open to other things if any or all of these stop working or don't work as well.

This is our life at risk here, and being sober it's a much, much better life. Therefore, I say you've got to be willing to do anything to save it !

mfanch

I *tried* a bunch of different things: rehab, AA, RR, psychs, etc. They didn't work until *I* worked. THEN it was a whole different story.

Getting a plan and then DOING the plan is what worked for me.