How many months do you need before you can go

Recovery
#1

How many months do you need before you can go back to your old stomping grounds

1 Like
#2

I waited a couple years , and it was not worth it. Really ask yourself why you want to go back, what is your motivation? It will not be the same and you will have to relive something’s.

5 Likes
#3

Yeah I’m just trying to figure out some stuff. I was invited to a family thing

2 Likes
#4

Only go if it’s healthy for you. Don’t feel obligated if it’s not going to be healthy for you. I have put myself through so much because I thought I had to. And if you do go , be ready for a flood of emotions . You should probably also take support.

#5

Make sure you have an escape, drive yourself. Have a few people ready to call if you need it, and like Ash said, do not feel obligated to stay. The first year I would go to family things say hello, and talk for about a hour… then ghost out and go to a meeting. Remember to take care of you. To hel7 with what anyone else says.

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#6

It really depends on the person, no one has identical traumas and timelines. Your priority should be your sobriety so if you don’t trust yourself in gatherings, do not do it.

3 Likes
#7

Yeah I would have to travel. It’s like a long planned thing but I was recently asked and like I’m all over the place about it emotionally. Part me wants to go and see everyone but part of me is absolutely terrified to go. I spoke to one family member recently just to see how it would go and they said I would be missing out which now just makes everything way worse. Idk what to do idk how to make the decision like I talked to my sponsor about it too and a few other people. I’m just lost

1 Like
#8

I have to travel there. So once I go I would be stuck

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#9

Pray about it and then meditate on it

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#10

Part of me thinks my sobriety would be fine and part of me thinks i want no part of it but I’m afraid it’s gonna let them all down if I don’t go

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#11

The only person you should worry about letting down, is yourself.

2 Likes
#12

Thanks yeah i just don’t know what to do. I don’t want to miss out but also I know there’s going to a lot of triggers. Part of me thinks I’ll be good but I also have no idea but I also feel obligated to go because I’m not invited often

#13

If you’re not invited often, what makes you obligated to go?

#14

You already know the answer . If your questioning it . Pay attention to it what your gut is telling you .

2 Likes
#15

I don’t know what it’s telling me. That’s the problem

#16

Because they’re my family

1 Like
#17

I understand you not wanting to disappoint others… but your mental and physical health comes first. They will forget eventually. You working on yourself last a lifetime

#19

One of the gifts of sobriety is being able to where you want when you want. A few basics should be covered though before you travel.

  1. Call AA central office. Call ahead to the town you’re going to. Get a meeting schedule and decide to go to meetings while your there.
  2. Tell them you will need rides to meetings someone will be glad to help.
  3. Call your sponsor EVERY day your there. At least one time a day. It’s a good excuse to take a break from visiting.
  4. Bring your big book or Living Sober along with you. Read a bit each day.
  5. Lean on your HP while your there. Your HP’s got this, not you. Trust the process.
#20

Six months or more...

#21

Depends how you feel you can be on k being sober there