[bitten]

After being clean just shy of 6 months, I feel like I am runnning from meeting to meeting to therapy to AODA counseling. And work of course. Then when I am not at htose places, I am researching everything FOR everything. Trying to figure out how I got to where I was, ad how I am going to get to where I want to be. I truely belive in my own made-up cliche. Or quote..."In order to walk im your shoes, you have to learn how to tie them". It works for me. So I have been trying different ways. But there is only one way. To stay clean. No matter what. Stress is bringing me down, as I have so much to do, and not enough hours in the day to do them. Am I getting treament burnout???

[Leed]

You CAN get burned out going to meetings. Why not take a few days off during the week? You've done this for 6 months now. And you've been doing well. So take some days off during the week -- go to 3 meetings a week instead of Lord only knows how many you've been going to.

I got burned out too, and I cut back. It was better than quitting altogether!
I figured I'd done enough, plus I was taking the meetings into prisons every Sunday, and I kept doing that for 4 years. So meetings during the week had to be cut down! You can't burn yourself out or you'll relapse.

Stay home and relax a few nights a week. You need it. Just don't cut out ALL your meetings, okay??? God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

You can definitely get burned out from treatment. I use to go to 2 meetings a day, everyday for 1 month. I got burned out. I have been sober for 16 months now and use meetings when I really need a place to talk. I don't suggest backing away from them early on in your recovery though. I know I can find strength in meetings where I see weakness in myself and my recovery. I honestly think it depends on the person who is going to burn out on how much treatment. In the early time, you might need that constant meeting to give you strength because you are still building strength in yourself. Though I have come to learn in the past couple months of my sobriety that I know when I need a meeting and I will get there otherwise I just talk to my sponsor. Remember to stay strong and listen to your addict (I personify my addict because, to me, he is a completely different person outside of myself). Your addict is very powerful and after some recovery under our belt we sometimes forget that he is even there. We can't afford to forget how powerful he is. Read this poem:

"I Hate meetings...I Hate higher powers...I Hate anyone who has a program. To all who come in contact with me, I wish you death and I wish you suffering. Allow me to introduce myself, I am the disease of addiction. I Am cunning, baffling, and powerful. That's Me. I have killed millions and I am pleased.
I love to catch you with the element of suprise. I love pretending I am your friend and lover. I have given you comfort, haven't I? Wasn't I there when you were lonely? When you wanted to die, didn't you call on me? I was there, I love to make you hurt. I love to make you cry. Better yet, I Love to make you so numb you can neither hurt nor cry. When you can't feel anything at all. This is true gratification. And all that I ask from you is long term suffering. I've been there for you always.

When things were going right in your life, you invited me. You said you didn't deserve these good things, and I was the only one who would agree with you. Together we were able to destroy all the good things in your life. People don't take me seriously. They take strokes seriously, heart attacks, even diabetes, they take seriously. Fools. Without my help these things would not be possible. I am such a hated disease, and yet I do not come uninvited. You choose to have me. So many have chosen me over reality and peace.

More than you hate me, I hate all of you who have a 12 step program. Your program, Your meeting, Your higher power. All of these things weaken me, and I can't function in the manner I am accustomed to. Now I must lie here quietly. You don't see me but I am growing bigger than ever. When you only exist, I may live. When you live I may only exist. But I am here...

And until we meet again, If we meet again, I wish you death and suffering."

^ This poem, titled I am Your Disease, is a perfect depiction of just how powerful you addict is.

Stay strong, my prayers go out to you!

[Leed]

I love that printing -- I've had it for years, and I read it often! It's certainly a grim reminder of how cunning, baffling, and POWERFUL our disease is! It just lies in wait for us to falter. And if we aren't diligent, we WILL falter.

Thanks again! Hugs, Lee