I joined this app to get perspective. Does anybody have ways in which they were able to recover without committing to AA meetings or following the steps? I am confused about my addiction because when the drug was working properly I believe I was satisfied in all areas of my life. I was working full-time, I had a partner, I loved myself, I took care of myself, I had great relationships with family and friends etc. Now that it doesn’t function like it used to, I can’t seem to find motivation to do anything and I feel like I am back to square one.
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Well, welcome to the world of addiction. Never gets better while using. Just hope you can find a new direction soberly. No magic wand tho. Takes work and commitment. Meetings work. Don’t know about the other methods. Lots of folk here who can help with other avenues. Good luck finding your footing.
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Thank you for your response my dad said the same thing about a magic wand LOL I think my problem is that I’m still in the denial phase. I’m not sure how to get over that and accepT it
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Time is the great equalizer. Just let it take it’s course. They have sayings that sound stupid yet they work. One day, hour, minute at a time. Give time a chance, soberly. Great life on the other side of it.
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Acceptance is a tough pill to swallow (pun intended). It took a relapse one year into sobriety (with one foot in AA) for me to accept that I am an alcoholic. Today I am a few months shy of 6 continuous years of sobriety. Embracing step 1 in AA is what really kicked it off for me. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I’m not telling you the only solution is AA, but I am telling you AA works for an alcoholic like me.
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I appreciate your response and congratulations to you! I think I’m learning that this journey is not going to be easy. I used to have a problem with drinking but I overcame it naturally somehow. My crutch now is adderall. I try to rationalize all the negatives to it but there were only positive outcomes so I’m very confused.
Ahh gotcha. Assuming you have a prescription for it, are you taking the adderall as prescribed? Do you ever find yourself obsessing over taking it ?
Yes I have a prescription and no I don’t always take it as prescribed. I get sad when I run out I miss it. I know it’s unhealthy for me to rely on it but my executive functioning is terrible without it
Have you had this conversation with your prescriber? I’d suggest you have an honest discussion about your fears and concerns with them.
And congrats on overcoming the drinking issue on your own!
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Welcome to Loosid Kim, I’m glad you’re making a conscious decision to seek help. Regardless of what program you take, AA, NA or some other recovery program they all are based on the 12 steps. Plus we addicts have three areas wrong with us.
- Mind
- Body
- Spirit
My journey has taken me from not believing in a God to wanting to learn and follow Jesus. I’m not saying for you to follow anything. I’m saying that once I turned my life over to the care of a Higher Power of my understanding my path has widened. No good deed goes unpunished. AA works for me. It works when we work it. One day at a time.
In the beginning we must work on ourselves in those three areas I said earlier. Then when we get stable ground under our feet then we must take what was freely given to us and help another alcoholic/addict. It’s acts of kindness and letting in a G0d of your understanding into your heart.
I pray I’m the name of the Holy Spirit for you to seek the light in the darkness of you disease.
Have a blessed day filled with love and peace within my friend.
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Nobody can convince you if you are truly an addict. Unfortunately, most of have to learn it over time. The gift of learning on our own experiences is coming to that point in life where you believe you are powerless over it and your life has become unmanageable. When we get to this point, we are then willing to try anything. This is known as step 1. A solid step 1 (admission and submission) is how all the 12 step programs begin. If you feel you are not there yet, then you may want to try another approach. Hopefully, you are not a true addict and can find peace and serenity. If not, AA/NA will always be waiting for you if you are fortunate enough to make it back. I say this with care and concern. I know addiction all too well. It’s truly a deadly disease if left untreated. Recovery is for those that want it, not for those who need it. 
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I have and he tried putting me on a multitude of different stimulants but they all did the same thing. Not working anymore.
I like that. Body mind and spirit it makes a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing. My power has always been the universe
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Hmmm Very interesting points. Can you extrapolate more on what you said in the last sentence?
Yeah looking at my life right now I definitely want to changed I miss the life I used to have. And I know that support is crucial, I guess this is my start.
You’re welcome. I’m glad to be of service. The universe is a beautiful place. Earth is our beautiful home.
Stay connected to those that serve the greater good in your life.
Good Morning 
As for my last comment regarding need vs want… There are many sick people out there that need treatment and help to live a happy life without substances. Some come into programs by court order (DUI’a or other legal issues), some are there because there families insisted they go, others by their employers. Some of these people do end up staying in the program, but most do not. They do need it, but they are just not ready to accept that they are sick. You have to really want sobriety and make it a huge priority in your life. It requires a lot of changes (very positive changes), and it takes a lot of effort and dedication. As someone said in another post, it is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. It’s a life long spiritual journey that keeps us from going back to our old habits and behaviors. I suggest you read a little bit from the AA big book, or whatever they call the NA book. See if you relate. Try a few meetings and talk to some people. You are intelligent and articulate. It is often suggested that you try it for 90 days. That’ll give you enough time to evaluate it. Again, whatever you decide, I wish you peace, serenity, and happiness. That’s what this is all about
I haven't been to any groups or aa meetings, after being arrested two times in the same week and dss Taking my kids away temporarily, that was enough motivation for me. I stopped all my prescribed medications and alcohol. It hasn't been easy, and my body has went through a lot of ups and downs during the process, but by trying to keep myself busy and getting up and moving when I'm feeling blah has helped. Try to do something different when feeling down and unmotivated even if your body/mind fight you the whole way.
The drugs eventually a
The drug eventually all stop.working and you need to learn how to do these things drug free
That's where the AA community comes into your life and helps you learn how to have a life drug free