[shortandcute]

I was just wondering about people's opinions and/or experiences with 12 step groups, such as A.A., O.A., N.A., etc. The reason I ask is because I go to AA, and I've seen many people who also have MI issues, and some need meds, basically have to drop out of these groups.They werent kicked out, but they got so much pressure from other people to get off their meds, that they stopped and eventually started drinking or using, or whatever their addiction was, in order to self-medicate. And many people say AA was the worst thing that ever happened to them, while others swear by it, and still others have no opinion one way or another.

[glok]

Hello, shortandcute. For me the answer is whatever works for you.

[Raindropvampire]

I myself think AA is a bunch of religious drivel BUT if that is your cup of tea and it helps you then all's good. Above all else to each their own I've known people with MI that have benefited greatly from NA and AA. I've known others that well let's just say it was terrible for them. So personally I think it depends on the person and the group they get in with. I've personally seen groups that had a sucktastic dynamic that no good could come from. I've been to others that were wonderful.

[splitimage]

I've attended AA off and on since 2005 - I find it varies greatly from group to group. Yes I've had ignorant people tell me I should go off meds. I go off on them and quote AA literature that says psych meds are A-OK.

Recently I've started attending Double Recovery meetings. They're an off-shoot of AA that is specifically for people with addictions and MI. I like it a lot better, because you can and are encouraged to talk about both. I'm just lucky that I live in a large enough city to have multiple DR meetings a week to choose from.

splitimage

For me it was a HORRIBLE experience. I will never, ever forget it. I was forced, so much for "attraction not promotion." Don't feel comfortable saying anymore bc there's too many ruthless AA members around.

Check out, the orange papers, leaving aa, natural accountability daytona, more revealed...many more, just look.

[(JD)]

Actually, though I voted, there isn't a true answer to the poll for me.

I know of people whose lives were "rescued" because of a 12 step support group...however to me, their lives still need rescuing.

The average 12 step program doesn't finish the healing...it perpetuates it. I disagree that someone who used to abuse narcotics or whatever is still a druggie or alcohol an alcoholic.

We all have bad habits and issues from our past in one form or another. Why are those whose bodies craved their bad habit never allowed to be free from it? Mindset.

Each 12 step I find has a higher power, God if you will, involved. Yet they leave out a viable 13th step (maybe because of the number reference???) GOD can change you, truly, if you trust Him to do so and you can leave the old bad habit totally behind. You are no longer a drug addict or an alcoholic.

None of go around saying, "Hi, I'm xx and I'm a liar" if we were big liars in the past, for example. Neither should a healing program force that upon the addicted.

And there are those whose bodies were physically off to begin with, allowing an addiction and perhaps even an allergy (you crave or abhor what you are allergic to). But you won't find someone who had a bad allergy in the past, who might crave that item or food or drink still but disciplines herself not to give in, saying, "Hi I'm xx and I'm addicted to ice cream."

Yes, the support groups do rescue people from the miry clay they find themselves in, but it's so close to being really successful overall I wish they would show people how to fully rely upon their God.

It isn't much different from people's attitudes in general though, for those with mental issues especially I think. We still want to be able to do something ourselves, fix ourselves without another's help OR we go the opposite route in defeat and, as NA AA etc promote, you're always going to be there in the mud in your thinking because you were a very bad person and can never truly get away from it.

I believe everyone gets a second chance while still alive, no one is perfect, and we all need to set aside the past to truly live in the present.

Be well.

[Altered Moment]

I am dual diagnosis and got and stayed sober in AA. I love the philosophy and program. I have been told by people in my home group I was not sober because of psyche meds or have heard people openly share it. My opinion is those people are ignorant and should keep their opinions about things they know nothing about to themselves and I ignored them.

After a couple of years sober I decided I would start sharing about my depression and about meds. I can not tell you how many people came up to me after and thanked me and said they also suffered and were on meds but were afraid to talk about it. It may be an outside issue but I didn't care.

There are many many people in AA who also suffer from mental illness. I have no statistics but I swear it is 25 or 30%. I found that we formed a support group outside of meetings. I had other people I could call who I knew where on meds and had depression. I refused to let the ignorant people run me out of the rooms when I needed it so much. I was very fortunate in that I got sober in a town with about 30 very active AA groups. Most people would drown out the A hole that said something stupid about mental illness. It does say in the book to seek outside help if needed.

[(JD)]

I think that's a low estimate.

I've read some that say %50 and others that say up to %75. It's obviously an issue that isn't being addressed adequately, and certainly the 12 step programs are trying to fill that gap!

[DePressMe]

AA turned me into an alcoholic. Taught me to blame and hate myself for everything--including their transgressions against me. Took away my hope. AA philosophy and it's predators about killed me. It took me a long time to get over it but, I finally quit believing the crap and then got sober. I've been sober for many years. I am not powerless.