Connect
Meetings after sobriety
I'm 19 months sober from alcohol and would like to find a support group meeting. I did 30 days inpatient and several months of outpatient treatment at a treatment center and have attended AA meetings frequently in the past so I'm very familiar with meetings' role in sobriety. What I'm looking for now is a group that's more science based and focused more on daily life, living sober... Honestly, AA was always kind of a struggle for me and, after a year of sobriety I just decided I didn't want to do that anymore but still would like a meeting. I'm in a smaller community in the Midwest so there really isn't anything in the region other than AA.
Any suggestions? I'm also very willing to start my own meeting but not sure how to do that so, if anyone had thoughts on that, it would be more than appreciated.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Addiction & Recovery Support Group.
Connect
Check with your local hospital or various churches in the area. Online meetings are less personal but if it helps til you find an alternative go for it. I’m sure Mayo has something. By the way, I am mother of a recovering addict and I applaud you for doing the hard work. Keep your chin up! You made the hardest decision to go through the pain of getting clean. Congratulations!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionCongrats! I hear you, recovery is an evolution and what helps in the beginning may need to expand as you grow in your journey.
Look at SMART Recovery. Their website has lots of info about meetings, etc. Look online also for specific types of support groups - Recovery Dharma, Ben’s Friends, Y12SR. Also, you don’t necessarily have to give up AA, maybe find different or more focused meetings like Step groups. 40+ years substance free here and still taking it a day at a time and as a gift. Keep making good choices!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactionsjstrc,
I've been a member of Narcotics Anonymous for over 32 years.
There is a difference between NA and AA just as there is a difference between being sober and being in recovery. There's also a big difference in meetings, every meeting has it's own personality.
If you don't know what I mean please find an NA meeting, one with a couple of seasoned members and you will feel the difference and begin to recover.
You didn't mention what state you live in but try texting 877-767-7676 and enter your zip code, it may give you the closet 5 meetings to your zip code.
Or try naminnesota.org or world wide na.org
Meeting makers make it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWondering if you've discussed this with your sponsor. 12-step meetings aren't mandatory but they sure help. I suspect there might be a meeting you find more relevant, at least until you find your next type of group. I'm 36 years clean and sober, went to hundreds of meetings for year and years, stopped going to meetings for about 15 years, and now just started attending an online meeting in my town. So there's lots of approaches, but early in recovery, like yourself, you need all the support you can get. If you're thinking there's too much "God" talk, I get it, 12-step is not for everyone. But keep both feet on the recovery path, I wish you luck finding what you're looking for.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@ezjersey719
Appreciate your input. I have heard of SMART but there's no local group in this area (South Dakota) but I hadn't heard of the other groups you mentioned so I'll do some checking on that. Thanks.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@jstrc remember also that there are many online groups, helpful if you live in a less populated area.
In supporting our daughter in her recovery journey my husband and I have been referred to many of the AA related resources. We found that so far none of them has been for us. We are looking for a more science based approach. We also know that the “higher power “ approach is of comfort for many, but we have difficulty finding the practical answers we seek…
There's a group called Secular Organizations for Sobriety. I'm not sure if they have meetings or if they just have online resources or what...you might google it. They are secular, so not God focused.
Ziggypop, why would you suggest the OP goes to NA? He didn't mention drug addiction. That is the LAST thing I would tell an alcoholic to do. It causes an alcoholic not to relate when all they hear about is drugs and they never did drugs.