___ Anonymous - Does it Help?
With Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Eating Disorder Anonymous, and so many others, I'm curious to know how helpful people find them. What are your thoughts?
Ed anon didn't work for me.
I would have loved to have such groups in my city. But I don't and it feels pretty bad. Would love to try if I had where to go tbh.
@imaginativeMelon7014 I would be surprised if there aren't meetings close to you. I have been to meetings all over the world. Try googling AA _mycity
I'm in an anonymous 12 step recovery group and I can attest from my personal experience that it has saved my life and the lives of many people around me. It has changed the way I live my life in many ways! I am now someone who works to serve others instead of always make things about myself and my addiction.
The thing about 12 step anonymous programs is (in my experience) those who are most vocal about them are always those who felt like it wasn't for them and left, while most people that stay in the fellowships follow the traditions of the program which include staying anonymous (only first names or fake names) and no promotion (no commercials, press or speaking as a representative for the orgs as a whole etc).
12 step programs are only as helpful as we the people who are in them work for them to be. They can vary from group to group and place to place. While most are very focused on following the 12 and 12 and abstinence, unfortunately some "lose the way". In my case, it took me 3 tries to find the best group for my recovery.
Now that I'm a recovered available sponsor and have spent some time in the fellowship, I can say without a doubt that it's not for everyone and that's ok. Our aim is only to be helpful to others, not force or preach anything. In my experience (I wouldn't dream of speaking for other sponsors), the program works for people who are open and willing to:
(1) build a spiritual relationship with a higher power of their understanding
(2) get a sponsor and work and follow the 12 steps on a daily basis.
(3) go to any lengths to achieve recovery and then turn around and pass it onto others
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No court order or crying family members or angry bosses can make someone want recovery, only they can decide if they want it and when they are willing to go to any lengths.
I hope this was helpful! I'm happy to answer any questions anyone might have :)
I've been dabbling at doing the SMART Recovery Facilitator training. Anyone have any experience with this group?
@DaveMcGrath I've been to the online meetings and have the book, and I do think it's helpful. The book has a lot of useful strategies in it that are based in science. I've not been to one in person yet, but there is one now in my city, so I'm planning to try and go and check it out later this week. If you're interested I'll let you know how it goes. 
Personally I think if you want to be involved in helping people with addictions, doing something like the SMART Recovery facilitator training would be a really good idea.
I go to GA & it really does help me feel better. I've found that the people there understand what you've been through & can relate to how you feel. Personally I've found it better than talking therapy.
That being said it is not the only way to recover. Find what works for you & stick to it.
Always remember that recovery is a choice, you are committing to a new way of living.
Yes and No.
My new therapist wants me to try going to meetings. The impression I have is that it feels like a cult. What I read about the success rate isnt encouraging either. Seems like the main benefit is peer pressure to abstain. Im at a loss.
@inventiveJet459 I know some people find it helps them, but personally I feel like it's a cult too. If she wants you to go to meetings of some kind maybe you can try and find another type of meeting in your area. Depending on where you live there may or may not be options, but SMART Recovery is getting to be pretty popular, so you could try looking for that. It's based more on science rather than religion, and is more like the addiction version of going to a group therapy session for CBT for your mental health.
@inventiveJet459
The only studies that have been done have shown that AA has poor success rate (of about 5% achieving abstinance after one year), and with people who didn't have any form of treatment were just as likely to achieve abstinance as those who went to AA meetings.
'AA, NA, or other 12 step groups are probably only a good fit for a minority of people with a drug or alcohol problem. The vast majority of people with a drug or alcohol problem will probably do better with either a secularly oriented treatment approach such as is found in SMART Recovery or Rational Recovery or with a harm reduction based approach such as is found in HAMS. Support groups or professional treatment are helpful to some individuals whereas others just need an instruction manual on how to "do-it-yourself".' (For my source for these claims see: https://hams.cc/effective.pdf)
Overeaters Anonymous is very helpful for me. I was going to NA locally but now I am just going to do teleconference meetings for my own safety. Some of tactics that go on are completely obsurd and many are quite sick still. I am looking to heal and grow and protect myself.
I found AA wasn't for me to be honest. However going to one session gave me the will power I needed to sort myself out. I was sat in a room of 6+ people all saying that they were powerless to their addiction, and essentially seeming to take all responsibility and power from themselves. It shocked me into straightening myself out. I refused to just give in and let something take control over me forever.
I do still drink but not very often and I am perfectly happy with a glass. I am happy to stop and know when I've dropped the ball and had too much. I am in control of my drinking which isn't something I've ever been able to say really. I see a therapist and I speak on here.
So yeh it wasn't for me but sure ended up giving me the kick I needed! Ahaha.
I don't know about NA etc. But really try to look for the way that feels best to you :) you can only know once you go and try. And well if your that desperate, like I was, then it's worth a shot!
