MagnumCat

Hello. I have quit drinking! I am on day 3. My husband has also quit drinking to support me.

I am going crazy trying to figure out if I should try to do this on my own by creating and following a recovery plan, if I should do AA, if I should go into a structured program, or all of the above.

I found a company that has an Intensive Outpatient Program. I did the assessment which included psychological testing with a nurse, an interview with a psychologist, lab work and a follow up with a medical doctor that specializes in addiction. They determined that I am mild to moderate in my addition and I have no health problems due to drinking (thank God). They think I could benefit from group and individual counselling, but suggest I go through their intensive outpatient program. The program costs $4,500 and I already paid $600 for the assessment. They don't think I need residential treatment.

I also went to an AA meeting with a friend who has been sober for 18 years. This was in a different city than where I live. I also met a lady there that lives in my city and is 32 years sober. She gave me her number in case I have questions or want someone to go to a meeting with. She's doesn't actively go to meetings anymore on her own.

I am also thinking of making my own plan which may involve counselling, joining a gym, getting a part-time job, journalling, etc.

I am wondering if you have any suggestions. What worked for you? Can it be done on my own? Do you have to go to AA or follow a program?

I'm leaning towards AA and my own recovery plan. My husband thinks I should do AA and the IOP.

I appreciate all your input! Thank you.

least

Do whatever fits your schedule and benefits you most. For me it was counseling weekly, and daily visits to this site.

AA can be very helpful for the support and friendship. I hope your plan helps you get sober for good.

Eddiebuckle

IOP is worth considering but in any event, it is a time-limited solution. I went to 6 weeks of inpatient at a very good facility, but it was AA afterwards that kept me sober. I seriously doubt that I would have stayed sober if I did nothing after being discharged. Our addiction never goes away, learning how to live without needing the escape alcohol once gave us is a long term process.

Many people who "make it" in AA suggest doing 90 meetings in 90 days & getting a sponsor who will work the steps with you. Check out multiple meetings to find one that speaks to you and make it your home group. Putting the plug in the jug is no small feat, but keeping it there is a whole 'nother level.

Good luck - keep posting!

HTown

You have had a few day ones Magnum. I think doing alone is not working for you. Why not do the recommended councilling outpatient? You deserve it. I know it is a lot of money, but you cannot put a price on your future.

MindfulMan

I did inpatient 12-step based recommended by a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction disorders, then 12 Step while waiting for my outpatient which was NOT 12 step, then individual psychotherapy, which I'm still doing. I did everything available to me, and took from each what I needed at the time. Sober almost 15 months, and I'm done with booze and drugs.

Do whatever works. Would insurance cover part or all of the IOP?

Dee74

why not try all three, if you can?

D

tomsteve

my own recovery plan.

ive read and heard quite a few people who had their own plan and it keeps them drunk.
you can take a read here of a few people that do thier own plan. LOTS of threads with'"i drank again" or something similar.
not sayin it doesnt work, but the majority dont seem to.

i hope you choose something that addresses any other issues you may have.your post hints that there are a few.

Gerard52

I would advise giving AA a go over the intensive programme, I would also suggest smart recovery. Apart from not costing money these are long term programmes that you can partake in as and when it suits. An intensive programme is only as good as the programme lasts and can't inform you anymore than AA or smart recovery. This is a longterm behaviour change.

One resource I find good is a guy called Kevin O hara and his alcohol mastery channel on youtube. This guy was a very heavy drinker 25 pints a day. He stopped at beginning of 2013 and has been AF ever since. He posted weekly videos about his recovery and now does excellent videos about stopping and staying stopped.

August252015

Agree with this well said post.

Going it alone, or just doing one type of plan don't have to be the answers. That first one would have been impossible for me, even if I had a plan like structured use of SR as some including leaders like Dee have done. AA was and is finally my solution. Indeed, getting sober was just he tip of the iceberg and building a life based in recovery is what truly makes the full life I have now.

You are exploring options which is great, and committing to one and I'd venture to say doing so now, is an even better plan.

Best to you.

Ihadmyfill

Hi MC,
I would suggest IOP, it only lasts for a short period....but you learn all kinds of recovery tools. You leave with a full tool box which you can use when you are going to AA, SMART or just going at it yourself. I found that recovery was easier for me when I am with others who are in recovery. Go get your tool box and then start your long term program. Best Wishes

Forward12

Statistically you're substantially more likely to stay sober by getting outside help then trying to do it yourself. Daily or close to it AA meetings along with seeing an addiction therapist I think will be a very solid plan. If it starts to feel like you need more then perhaps look into the IOP.

wpainterw

Hi MagnumCat:
You ask, "I am wondering if you have any suggestions. What worked for you? Can it be done on my own? Do you have to go to AA or follow a program?
I'm leaning towards AA and my own recovery plan."

AA helped me initially. As for doing it on your own with a recovery plan, I earnestly believe that it would work much better and be less risky if the plan involved some support from others in recovery, including persons well along in recovery. My favorite metaphor is that one can attempt to scale a dangerous mountain but it is far better to have others on the rope in case one falls. Relapses are very common in recovery and being with others means that they can catch you and put you back where you were, help you continue. It doesn't have to be AA but they will of course do this in AA
You say you live in Calgary. I know it well as my wife and I often flew to Calgary, rented a car and drove over to Banff,, Lake Louise and all the way up to Jasper. I suppose that with global warming there is not much left now of the Athabaska Glacier.
Good luck.

Bill

Anna

Hi Magnum,

I'd say, do some serious soul-searching and try to figure out what will work for you. Personally, I think motivation is the most important thing. But, if you can benefit from therapy and other tools you'd learn, then go for it.

VigilanceNow

Hi Magnum,

Having been there myself, let me tell you that the one thing you cannot do is MORE OF THE SAME. It didn't work before, and it won't this time. I tend to agree with Dee -- why not try all of these options? As you've had a few "back to day one's" (as have I), I know what it's like to feel that renewed sense of this time will be the time!! and feel all the enthusiasm that comes with it. The novelty of the excitement of a new life in sobriety, however, does wear off. Bad memories fade, temptations don't disappear, and if we are not careful, old habits creep back in.

Having done all three options myself, I find that there is something to gain from all of them. IOP is a really great way to gain insight, be kept accountable (you'll likely be tested for alcohol using a very strict testing method as required by the facility), and in particular, learn some things about the disease of addiction and how it functions in your life. A support network is 100% necessary in my opinion, and AA is a great way to find that support.

dwtbd

The majority of people who end their dependence on or abuse of substances do it on their own.

Since this poster made an incorrect assertion without any evidence, I suggest you research my assertion and you will find substantial statistical evidence for it.

Statistics aside, you are one hundred percent going to do it on your own, because it is up to you . If you want it , you have every capacity to do it , believe that

I'd recommend looking at all the threads in the Secular Recovery forum and subforums.

I chose a Permanent Abstinence Based self recovery method, actually in the long run so to speak every one who has quit , has too

You can quit, no matter the 'method', rootin for ya

Dee74

These threads work best when we share or own experience - rather than our opinions on someone else's experience.

If you want to squabble over recovery methods take it to PM plesse.
_________________________


I agree with Anna that motivation is key,.

I've seen people get sober via AA, SMART, Rational Recovery, LifeRing and many other groups.

I've people get sober through impatient and outpatient rehab.

I've also seen people get sober 'just' using SR, and I've seen people stay sober with a good recovery action plan.

I was one of the latter

Dee
Moderator
SR

silentrun

My advise it to throw everything you can at it. I didn't use a specific program outside of being on SR daily. I was exposed to a lot of different opinions from different methods. That probably helped me. I did however spend probably anywhere from 3 to 4 hours a night here for 2 years. Recovery is really time intensive at first.

There were some people on here that I would consider to be "professionals" in recovery. Interacting with them seemed to speed things up for me when it came to dealing with my underlying issues. If you have access to counseling or an
addiction specialist that would be a huge plus.

What I credit most to pulling out of the spin was that I was just done. I was willing to do whatever it took to achieve escape velocity. I was so afraid of what was going to happen if I couldn't break free that I didn't even worry about what was coming to me without alcohol in my life. For me that meant hundreds of
hours here.

MagnumCat

Thank you for all your replies.

This is what my plan is for today:

- Sign up for the Intensive Outpatient Program
- Order the Rational Recovery book through Amazon
- Check out the AVRT Course
- Join the Smart Recovery site
- Start creating a Recovery Plan for the future

I have decided against going with AA for now.

lessgravity

That's a great list. I did a combination myself, no AA (though I attended meetings here and there early on to get around non-drinkers), Rational Recovery book reread, used SR, mediation, exercise, accountability to loved ones.

Life is better, so much better, sober.

Anna

Your plan sounds good, Magnum.

And, don't forget about SR.