OT: REHAB

I am wondering if there are any people out there that have been in rehab and if so did it work? I myself was an addict for over 12 years and have been clean now for over 15. I did it all on my own with no rehabs or 12 step program. I can not imagine there aren't more people like me who have done it on their own. I ask because I am becoming a drug and alcohol counselor and don't think that the 12-step program, which they all say is the only way, although its success rate is really low, works and am wondering what others think.

Sat. Mar 24, 9:23pm

rehab

The only rehab I have seen succeed is Teen Challenge, which is a Christian live-in program. I congratulate you that you took back your life. God Bless you. I know two peolple that credit Christ for thier sobriety without a rehab,the day that they finally realized that God loved them and that He desired that they survive was the day they were able to stand up and walk out of the hell of addiction, one of them was my husband. May God give you strength and wisdom everyday.

Saturday, March 24, 2007, 9:47 PM

I have two close friends, both male, who became alcoholics in their late 20s. They both gave it up very quietly on their own, no counseling or support groups or hospital programs. They've been dry for 5-10 years. Another friend did the 12-step program with AA and now he's addicted to AA meetings - he's been attending a minimum of 2 meetings a week for 8 years because whenever he goes less often, he falls off the wagon.

Saturday, March 24, 2007, 10:13 PM

i went to a 45 day rehab 19 years ago..attended aftercare and CA, NA, and AA meetings and still attend my home group once a week and have been sober since 12-4-87...IT WORKS!!!

Saturday, March 24, 2007, 11:09 PM

I tried the 12-step program and NA meetings and they didn't ever help. I tried support groups and one on one counseling. I didn't like the 12-steps because I felt it was just replacing one addiction for another and I also didn't like the whole religious aspect of it. I didn't think my faith in God was the answer, not for me. I ended up just getting to the point of utter disgust with myself and packed up and moved. That was it. Do I miss it, no. Is my life happier, definitely. Do I think about using again, not at all. So yes, there are others like yourself out there. I was an addict for 16 years, I'm clean now for 13.

Sunday, March 25, 2007, 12:03 AM

I just want to congratulate all of you for getting clean/sober. Seriously, I don't care you do it, what ever method has brought you out of your addiction, it matters not. what matters is that you did it! you're alive and well!
I was on the road to becoming addicted to cocaine... After a wks of serious abuse followed by a few nights of serious bingeing, I suffered a collapsed lung. I thought I was having a heart attack. I decided I was too young to die and regardless of age, I simply did NOT want to die of a drug overdose. that was it, that got me off coke.
congratulations to all, and God bless!

Sunday, March 25, 2007, 1:30 AM

I remeber I took a course about 30 years ago and recntly 5 years ago and both times I was told AA works more then most. I live in small beach town,for some reason there are alot of people in recovery. My brother has benn in recovery for
26 years.My husband has not drandk for 20 years He had a spiritual experience. For most people trying to give up on their own just doesn't work. How long have you been clean and sober? I know if you are going for drug couseling AA and NA is a big part of your program. Keep an open mind and try it.

Sunday, March 25, 2007, 9:10 AM

I started using drugs when I was 12, I also grew up in a beach town where anything you could think of was available, things most people never heard of. I was an addict until I was 26. I'm clean now for 13 years. I never went to rehab or counseling, didn't do any 12-step program. Although I am not a religious person I am spiritual, which is how I just walked away from it all. I had what I like to call my vision from god. In a split second something inside me changed and I saw myself for the way I really was and I knew in that instant that if I continued down the path I was on I would either end up dead or in jail, and I didn't want either. I have never had a craving for any drug I use to do and I am happier with myself and in my life than I ever remember being as a child, teen or young adult. In fact when I look at who I was all those years ago its like looking at someone else's sad, angry life, its completely foreign to me. I watched a lot of so called friends die and struggle with drugs. I know about 15 different people who did the whole rehab and 12-step program several times with no success. !2-step is not the only way, in fact their success rate is extremely low. Good for everyone here posting telling their stories and being clean. I'm glad to see that people do believe in their inner strength and faith in themselves to conquer their demons. Looking at how many already responded that didn't do rehab or the 12-step program I would say so far doing it on your own if you have the strength and faith in yourself that it is a better system then the over-hyped 12-step program.

Sunday, March 25, 2007, 10:10 AM

Has anyone watched the "intervention" show on A&E ?

Monday, March 26, 2007, 4:25 PM

Intervention only works if the person is really ready to change. Addicts don't care how their lives affect the people who love them, if they did maybe they wouldn't be addicts in the first place.

Monday, March 26, 2007, 4:42 PM

Recovery Rocks!

I have been in recovery for 11+ years. It started in NA and now I am very involved in my church as well. There are a few perspectives, specially as a counselor talking to a client. Not only does the 12 step process work, it is a community of people all striving for the same goal. That would be freedom from active addiction and a better way of life. Just like this site, we are a (online) commiunity of people striving towards a similar goal.

The good thing about 12 step meetings is, if we only know the people that we used to use with, chances are we'll get loaded again. But if we continue to go to meetings and hang out with others in community, chances are we'll stay clean. And better yet, if/when we go out of town, rather than going to a bar, we can look up a meeting and go there. Knowing that we will be accepted the minute we walk through tthe doors.

It's all in the way you look at it. We are just another family trying to find a better way to live, with great values and wanting to help others along the way.

Monday, March 26, 2007, 5:50 PM

It sounds like since being in recovery 5:50 that you have found religion, that seems to happen a lot with addicts who actually manage to succeed doing the 12-steps. Not that there is anything wrong with that if it helps you good for you. But not everyone believes that putting their faith in god makes everything alright. I think ultimately its faith in yourself, your strength of character that gets you through as well as removing yourself from the life that was your addict self and the want to have a better life and the notion that you deserve a better life. As a recovering addict of 13 years myself, I found that doing it on my own, in my way that I went through a lot of what the 12-steps is about. I think in order for one to become healthy you must naturally travel down some of that road.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 12:04 AM

okay so here is my question and I think that all of you successful people will have better insight than most. My boyfriend drinks everyday. He has 2 DUI's and still drives. For the most part he stays at home and drinks alone but he is an angry drunk some of the time and our arguements are so silly. I try and explain where his reasoning is getting confused but he doesnt see it at the time. He knows he has a problem but I like to drink on the weekends myself and that is the only time we see eachother. He realizes the sh!tty way he treats me at times and I believe he truely is sorry for it but when he is drunk he is convinced that he is right until later when I explain what really happened. I was just hoping for insight I guess

Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 2:02 AM

Okay this has nothing to do with the op's posting but I will give you my insight. First why are you with him? Do you see yourself with an alcoholic for the next 5 years? Do you want to be treated like shit only to be treated right when he's not drinking? If he knows he has a problem and doesn't want to change or do anything about it, is that what you want in your life? And if you know he has this problem and you don't like it why on earth would you spend what time you have together out drinking? Is it going to take him getting behind the wheel and killing you or GOD forbid someone else the frame of mind to realize he can't drive when he's drinking. Driving is a privilege not a right and if he isn't responsible enough to already have done something after getting 2 DUI's then he shouldn't be driving. Personally, you are enabling him to continue his way of life and thinking. You drink with him and then complain about it, so in essence you are to blame as well. If you only see him on the weekends why bother going through all this, is he really worth it? Do you deserve better or do you deserve to be treated like shit? He treats you that way because he can, because you put up with it and even participate in it. If you don't like it do something, he is not going to change for you so don't think that you will be the woman who will be able to get him to change. No one can save anyone person, they have to want to save themselves. And it sounds like in his case with 2 DUI's under his belt that he just doesn't really care.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 11:25 AM

11:25am poster said it pretty good. I agree. I could see if you were in this long term relationship and lived together, it is pretty hard to get out of abusive relationships when you are lost in them. After a while you start believing that you are a piece of shit like he tells you. I know this from experience, but found my way out. So my advice would to be get out while you still have your self esteem, no broken bones etc. It's a choice only you can make.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 11:44 AM

On the original topic.....

I was an addict for 8 years. I went to AA for several months and I can see how it could really provide the structure and community that some folks need. For myself - I quit 12 years ago and never looked back. it wasn't even a momentous day or some great moment. One morning I just decided I wasn't going to do anything that day and have simply continued with that. It's been a good approach for me.

I think the key is to keep at it - you may not succeed the first time or two, but don't let that keep you from trying. The longer you can stay clean and have alternative activities in place to replace your previous ones - the better things will get. Best of wishes to you!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 12:10 PM

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