I ask because I had a lot of issues in my life about 6 years ago, so I went to a 12-step group for emotional support etc. I have been going for the past 5 and 1/2 years religiously, but I am noticing that I am not receiving much help anymore from the groups or people there. Is it possible to grow out of the program? They say that 12-step groups are a lifetime program and noone "graduates". Can anyone relate to this or has anyone gone to a 12-step program for a long while and then stop? Are you happy that you stopped going? I'd love to hear about your experiences with 12-step groups. Thank you!
2006-10-22 07:42:22 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I have been clean and sober for 14 years now I used to go to Narcotics Anonymous for about the first 10 years faithfully then it went down to about once or twice a week for a year and now I never go. My life is full and I do not feel the need for the group since I have a good support system of family and friends and see a therapist once a week
2006-10-22 07:47:07 · answer #1 · answered by nana_viki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
K, i got disgusted with it right off that some people would come in smelling of alcohol just to play pool after group.Or you would see them smoking pot afterwards out side.i quit within 3 weeks and by my own strength have stayed sober 12 years.Was it easy no and your right at the door of making the decision can you do it alone do you feel strong enough.For me it was the hell i had put my kids through one day my son called me a drunken whore instead of getting mad i sat down and cried and vowed to myself i would never drink again.Through the years when times get really hard and i still want that drink ? Now i look at my grandbabies and i know the drinking did nothing good in my life.I got so strong in not drinking i became a bartender the best because i wasn't afraid to cut someone off or check I.D.'s or take keys away now even now when my life is the roughest its ever been nothing could ever make me pick up a drink again.If you ever need to talk you can im me at chunksgammie thats my aol instant messenger. Believe in yourself.Live life clean Kalei
2006-10-22 08:01:31 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Time to find a new group. This is a life time commitment that must be maintained, even if you go once a week. I also recommend you talk with those who have been in the program for most of their life (30+ years) and plan on attending some weekend retreats now and then. Sounds like you need a different group for support and a sponser who cares and is able to guide you now that you have reached a certain level in the program. Stay with it. and Good luck.
2006-10-22 07:49:43 · answer #3 · answered by mjh3056 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah I went to A.A for about a year and couldntn take it anymore. It was the SAME people every week wallowing in their own misery and attention seeking. I did get something out of it in the fact that there were a few people that made me realize that if I continued my path, my life would get so much worse and I needed to sober up and take it seriously. But after a few months....all it was was those wallowing attention seeking pinheads getting up EVERY week to wallow in their misery. I felt like the whole thing just drug me down. I had more control than that so I quit on my own. I think its their replacement drug. the program....
2006-10-22 08:18:54 · answer #4 · answered by Hillary X 2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend who went for 11 years and felt like you just mentioned. He said he grew out of it and didn't want to go anymore. We all said we support him either way.
About 8 months later he was offered a drink and decided, what the hey... I have no ties to AA anymore. He is now drinking regularly and doesnt think he has a problem. It is so frustrating for those around him.
At this point, he has too much of an ego to go back. So sad.
2006-10-22 22:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by spiritualjourneyseeker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to go to a program,and yes I did grow out of it. Like you, I wasn't getting much more help.I got so tired of hearing the same old problems, with no real resolve. I was happier after I quit, and I think I learned life long lessons from it. If you're a strong enough person, emotionally and physically,you should be able to learn from your experiences and know your consequences.
2006-10-22 07:51:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried different meetings? My brother is going to NA, CA, and AA for substance abuse. He likes to try different meetings if he gets nothing out of a particular one. My uncle is a counilor for AA, has been sober for 17 years, but KEEPS GOING. Try looking up Celebrate Recovery, it's a program at most christian churches. Good luck!
2006-10-22 07:47:48 · answer #7 · answered by misskenjr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
me. i think i did the right thing quiting that program.
i just told the people how i feel and they told me stuff i already know, and stuff that's just a waste of time.
i think you quitting was a good idea. to me, being in the program was a torture, mayb you have a different perspective because some people actually enjoyed it.
i think you did a good thing. save yourselve some time. have some fun, you have a life to live, so live it large.
2006-10-22 07:51:00 · answer #8 · answered by Tim M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah, I got bored after a few years.... I felt like I was obsessing over behaviors that no longer existed. I felt like it was dragging me down and I lost patience with others who just seemed to thrive on their own misery.. instead of trying to help themselves... I feel better now and not so dependent on the group,
2006-10-22 07:47:10 · answer #9 · answered by tampico 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check out this forum
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-380796.html
2006-10-22 07:54:05 · answer #10 · answered by oldhippypaul 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋