My dad was an alcoholic for years, like 30+years, my whole life. One of the only things that help him stay sober was aa, he has been sober 6 years now. Too bad he is dieing now, not from the booze though.
I wish you luck
All the best
HUGS
dee

I went for ten years I did drink less or 6 mo was my longest time without a drink.The people I met were as bad or worse than me.I felt like I was in a room full of nuts and they would usualy disapear for ages.It got to a point that I didnt feel comfortable around them and the personality games that were being played altho some of them did care.

I stoped going to the meetings and feel if I have to go thru all of that to not drink it would be easer to just not drink and not be spending day and night at meeting when I could be spending my time with the people I love.But at the time I needed the help.Meds is what changed my life no need to get wasted.

Ya I'm feeling that the meetings are a waste of my time. The people there are way worse off than me. I've had a drink but I haven't gotten wasted in a very long time. I just don't feel like going anywhere today, I'm still fighting some depression. I'm hoping to snap out of it. I might call my Dad, that always cheers me up.

Its always nice to know it will be their if we need it.

I got a lot out of AA, but I don't go anymore. It was nice while I went, though, just to get me into a routine if anything. As always, I'm a rebel, and didn't agree that thirty in thirty or whatever was really so necessary, so I went twice weekly or so? Found ones I really liked...

I think where you are matters. I live in a town with a liquore store every other block, a lot of AA meetings I went to were on the same block or across from a store even LOL But the actual core of the group was shakey - except for way up north, maybe, I dunno. I had a friend who went here many, many, many times over his life and now he lives in Denver and the program is really working for him better. He thinks there is little sobriety in the Springs, not a lot of people have made it more than a few years here, it seems...

In Denver, I think one of the oldest ones is there... Annnyway... Just go. Getcha outta the house, maybe there'll be free sugary stuff to go with the horrible coffee...

You do not have to abide by all their guidelines. The steps, sure, but take it all at your own pace. And do.not.listen.to those crazy AAers that think once you get the steps down you'll be cured of your mental illness and not need pills. It sounds insane to think they do that, but really, it's like the people that don't accept God made us this way and think if we pray or if we convert he will rid us of this. Those people are crazier than we are.

AA meetings help..here is where it will effect you. They consider alcohol and prescription drugs to be part of your addiction. You will have to realize that that does not apply to you. You should try to contact NAMI in your area see if there is a mental health program somewhere that offers a Duel Diagnosis. They will work on addiction and mental illness, I go to one here in Florida. The program will better suite you with your mental illness.

I went to meetings off and on for several years but could never stay sober. I always had problems with the personality types I met there. It was a small town and most of the ppl there had been in the program for a long time and I think they could not relate with someone who struggled as much as I did. Anyway I just got discouraged and quit going. But there is a happy ending to the story, you see I was in total denial about my illness. When i finally did get the right meds and started dong things to get better, accepting my illness, getting help I was able to stop drinking. I have managed to make it for over three years now and didn't attend a single meeting the whole time. I think that really made the difference for me, and yes I'm on allot of meds but it's better than what my life was before.
I don't mean to bash AA it works for allot of ppl, and I don't doubt it has great value to some I still keep thinking that I should go to a meeting or two but there are none near me, I know they're everywhere just not here.

I was sober for he better part of 13 1/2 years in AA. Though I didn't get a lot out of the fellowship but I found the steps and the principles behind them immensely helpful

The term alcoholic is kind of a general term used if you feel you cannot get through a day without alcohol even a glass or can when you get home from work but if you feel, you need it. Cannot seem to unwind without it. Then the term alcoholic is used.

I think the main problem with AA they tend to hold the ruling of a higher power ie very religious which for agnostics and atheists or just people that have bad experiences with organised religion a problem. Other then that the program does work.

I term myself an alcoholic because I have trouble knowing when enough is enough. I'm perfectly able to get through a day or even a week with out drinking. I guess I'm what you would call a binge drinker. I have been very selfaware and watching myself so I don't over indulge. This has been working but my therapist doesn't agree with my approach and thinks I should not have any alcohol of any amount because I am an alcoholic and an addict. Well for now I'm trying to break a depression I'm in so I'm having a drink, I know, probably the worst thing I could do but it's improving my mood so I'm going with it. I can't stand feeling depressed.

Well I can tell you about AA it takes more than just keep coming back.

You have to work a 12 step program. AA NA or any other 12 step program will work they are all the same program.

But I am a drug addict and I do not go to AA NA or work any 12 step programs at all. I was clean for 3 years had a 2 week long run Now I am clean again for one more year. You don't always need a 12 step program and if you are too smart for one like I am. You will find it to be fake and brain washing (which it is) and not be very interested in it. But it is the same as a support group combined with a 12 step program. Its a religion with out god.

But I am not knocking it, it really does work for a lot of people. Especially depending on how long your alcoholism has been and the problems that caused your alcoholism. In my opinion people with long histories need the 12 step programs.

Talk to WendyML if she doesn't answer this post directly!!!! She's on this board and she's also on the Alcoholism board!!!! She's twelve years sober and VERY passionate about AA!!!!! I think she's the one who can probably tell you all that you need to know!!!!!
I, myself, was magically cured!!! I was a binge drinker, too. I could go days, or even weeks without drinking, but once I picked up that first drink, I couldn't quit until I blacked out or passed out. And would usually keep that up for days on end. Then one day, I just got sick and tired of it and stopped for good. Never drank again. Or wanted to. The thought of doing so kind of turns my stomach.
So AA holds no appeal for me. To me, it looks like you trade your life revolving around liquor to your life revolving around AA, which in a way is STILL your life revolving around liquor. I just don't want to have to think about it at all!!!!
Good luck!!!!! I hope you find your happy spot in all this!!!! (((((Hugs)))))

Wow I wish I could be like you Carla and just be done with it. That would be nice if the thought turned my stomach. I'n unfortunately a drug addict too and that I haven't sought much help for other than one on one counseling. If my antidepressant would work at 100 percent efficiency I wouldn't need additional drugs.

I went to OA for a lontime you still ate evenwen you shouldnt i would stil go to aa if i were you and go as often as youcan I lost weight

I know you are wise auntfeather so I will take your advice. I would like to feel like Carla and not want anything to do with drinking. That would be my goal to achive and a dream come true.