A.A. Failed: What’s next?

Oftentimes, an alcoholic will seek Alcoholics Anonymous – also known as A.A. – meetings as their first form of treatment. It is a way to be open and let others know what is going on while also getting some support and advice from other people like them who are also suffering.

However, A.A. meetings do not always work – especially not when they are the only form of treatment being used.

So, this often leaves addicts feeling as though they won’t be able to recover or like they are a failure, but in reality, they just need more help than what a simple A.A. class can offer them.

While A.A. meetings are great, they still need to be combined with another form of treatment such as an addiction recovery program.

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Addiction is more than just putting the bottle down – it also entails getting over the emotional symptoms felt after giving up the alcohol, it is overcoming the withdraws and separating yourself from those who tempt you and who might lead you the wrong way (back into addiction).

The benefits of seeking out an addiction recovery program include:

  1. Stable environment. A treatment facility is regulated and will offer a stable environment where patients are monitored and are all actively receiving equivalent care.
  2. Counsellors. The moral support of the A.A. group leader and members is great, but sometimes it takes just a little bit more. The counsellors at a recovery facility do it for a living – they can offer some of the best mental treatment for their patients.
  3. Learning. Not only do they discuss addiction at a recovery facility, but they also teach you about it. In order to overcome it, it is important that you have a thorough understanding of the disease.
  4. Peer support. Of course, peer support is also found in A.A. meetings, but an addiction recovery program will just give you an additional group of people supporting you.
  5. Daily Routine. Part of recovery is getting back into a routine that no longer includes drugs and alcohol. By participating in a recovery program, you will be given a set daily routine that will teach you how to overcome the cravings and withdraws.
  6. Zero Tolerance. Recovery programs have a zero-tolerance rule meaning no one can bring drugs or alcohol onto the premises. This is incredibly beneficial as it gives patients a drug- and alcohol-free place they know they are welcome.
  7. Privacy. There are recovery facilities that you could go to in private. By law, they cannot share you are a part of the program and if you choose one in a private location no one will ever see you.
  8. Aftercare. Sometimes, getting over the addiction might actually be easier than staying clean. After being clean so long, you might find yourself thinking that one drink won’t hurt. Recovery programs offer plenty of options for continued care.

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