Well, it honestly sounds like you are doing a LOT of work towards your sobriety…I don’t think anyone should tell you that you MUST do AA or you will fail. If you want to go back to the rooms that is great, but don’t do it because someone else told you you had to.
Thank you everyone!!
Please, enough with the all the caps.
Also, a lot of people here go to meetings and get a lot of emotional support and fellowship from meetings.
Being open to different types of recovery practices is important for all of us and welcomed on here.
Sucking it up is not usually an effective technique for addicts.
When I was in active addiction I didn’t look in the mirror period. My mental health was shot. My eyes were blood shot and I was a walking corpse. I found support anywhere I could. Rehab, outpatient, one on one counselor, psych doctor, and meetings. I needed them all. Even now I work in a place where I can get support if needed and still attend meetings. Getting help, from anyone, is the most important thing someone like me can do.
Hi @Kellyt, That’s great that your Dad is so solid in his recovery and AA helped him so much.
I find there are MANY other resources available to us now than there used to be. There are medications, different online and offline groups, various forums, books, podcasts, physical activity, vitamin therapies, etc. I posted a thread on other resources awhile back, I will look for it for you.
I find we each do best when we follow our own heart and path. For some that includes AA. What works for one, might not work for another.
And good on you for your 8 months!!!
Nice but late to the party. I already spoke my truth. I agrees to bail on this…Good luck with your addiction. BTW, I was a Cocaine addict for years and did so much, I could kill all the cattle in TX with what I was doing. Having said that, I would not worry if someone had Cocaine in front of me now. i would most likely tell them good luck with that. Reason being is I took control and decided I was over it. I in fact told myself to SUCK IT UP and at the end of the day, I did just that. So I say again. Good luck to all/
I don’t go to AA, just have had all around bad experiences. I went to meetings because in the contract I had signed with IOP I had to. That being said, they did help but I found were not necessary for me. Some people need a meeting once a day at the same time of day. Some people don’t. I just finished IOP which to me is going to be a big change. If I find myself forgetting, I’ll attend a meeting. Seems like what you’re doing is working just know there’s a backup if you ever do feel yourself slipping
You dont seem like you had an addiction then. You seem to have a skewed view of how other people work and suffer. Theres a notable lack of empathy in everything you say. It’s not about being weak willed for many people. There are many addicts who cannot come off their DOC without extreme withdrawls and psychological issues.
Thank you for your advice 
. I have been to a couple of meetings since I posted as I was scared I was forgetting how far i have come, i now know I’m open to them, just not a religiously as my dad is which i guess is fine as were not the same person.
Thank you so much, this is really useful
Hi @SassyRocks. Thank you for your advice and also the links they’re really useful!! As my dad says ‘you went to any lengths to get alcohol, now go to the same lengths for your sobriety’ which I fully intend to do! Wishing you well!!
Good for you, girlie! Whatever works in your recovery and you seem to be very on top of and aware of what works for you which in the end is all that matters!! Lots of positive energy comkng your way 
Thank you!! You too
I think one of the best things about AA is the sense of community it provides. It is also a great way to spend somewhat new found time not drinking. With that said, I don’t believe it’s the only way to get sober and stay sober. Having a community, whether it be work friends you hang out with outside or work, church, crafting groups, gaming groups, or workout groups as long as people aren’t drinking in front of you to help create urges it’s a good community. You also want to make sure it’s people you can be honest with. Addiction hides in lies.
I’ll be the first in line to talk trash about AA orthodoxy, but it’s goals are what’s important:
Understanding and accepting you have a problem.
Deciding to get help to solve it.
Recognizing substance abuse is the symptom of the problem, not the problem in itself.
Working arduously to address and overcome the root causes.
You’re not gonna accomplish this sitting at home. You need to look outside yourself.
AA provides a safe place to talk about your issues, meet people, and stop isolating.
“Sobriety is finding a new way of living that involves engagement where there was withdrawal; generosity where there was self-centeredness; community where there was isolation; joy where there was bitterness; trust where there was cynicism.”
Love this.
I’m going to add this to the resources thread as well but I just recently found out about Phoenix Multisport in a TEDtalk. It was started by me in Colorado but has expanded Nationwide.
“The Phoenix offers a free sober active community to individuals who have suffered from a substance use disorder and to those who choose a sober life. Using a peer support model, we help members heal and rebuild their lives while also striving to eliminate stigma around recovery.”
The only requirement to join a workout near you is 48 hours of sobriety.
Thank you.