I’ve been sober for a little over 10 months now and I just came to a program in pasadena CA called pax house. I’ve only been in this program for 2 months. It’s a 12 step program. But I’m having trouble doing the step work. When I first got here I felt like I didn’t need the 12 steps for recovery. However, I understand now that recovery isn’t just about the addiction itself it’s also your way of thinking. I’m being open minded and accepting that this program may help me to change but I still struggle on it from time to time. Can someone please give me advice
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Just having an open mind to recovery and knowing that what works today may not work tomorrow is kind of how I look at it. There is no “one way” to recover.
I’ll have 7 years this month. I’ve never attended a meeting, I’ve never been opposed to the idea though. I actually think recovery would’ve been easier with that kind of help. Some day when I’m not traveling 48,000 miles a year for work, I still very well may attend meetings.
In any case best wishes to you on your journey 
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First of all in most 12 step programs in the world, its well known the best thing that kept me coming back in each meeting was Noone gave Advice or told me what I needed to do. I liked that. It is always based on ‘suggestion s’ another’s experiences their strngsth that they gave to themselves to continue to work on staying clean, sober and or fight back your daily struggles . Then people that in these programs share their experience strengthens hopes. We look for similarities to our own story that brought us all here in the first place. Then choose someone that fits are needs the best we can. Then work with them and listtenandlearn to HEAR whats said. Follow direction.
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I’m new to AA but have been sober before without it so I’ve experienced both ways and for me I wish I would have done this sooner. I haven’t gotten far into the steps yet, but I got a sponsor and I think so far my main concern is just being present in meetings and soaking up as much as I can. I have been reading a ton of the literature so I understand the steps and what they’re suggesting. For me it comes down to asking myself what kind of life I want to live, not just whether or not I want to quit drinking because drinking is just a symptom of things I’m discovering about myself underneath as I’m sure you have heard that before in the program. But also sobriety isn’t just one tool it’s a whole kit, even AA agrees that medical and other professionals have a place in recovery and each persons sobriety is their own journey to explore, hence why there’s no formal structure to the program as far as a boss or leadership really goes.
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