ok so this topic has been brought up many many many times and my feathers get ruffled and i get defensive when this happens--i was at the clinic the other day and someone ive grown alikeing for, and i speak to everytime i go to the clinic(every 2 weeks) was really upset becasue she had "come out" to her home group-(houses NA and AA meetings) about being on methadone and she got flogged, they even took her off the list for her 2 year b-day celebration. ok--so heres my thing, this girl lives the 12 steps==strong program, good sponsor the whole nine, and now all of a sudden shes has less of a recovery in their eyes and they are hurting her, whats the point???? some people have to be on medication due to illnesses and this program constantly drills the fact that this is a disease, so if it works for her---why is it worng--because its different form what YOU do!!!!!AGGGHHHHH this subject came up recently in some posts and although i wanted to say something i didnt because at the time it was better not to--well --OH WELL. We all have diffeent recoveries and achieve it in different ways--im not saying its ok to abuse prescriptions, ive done that too. I would rather not be on methadone, but i am and it works for me to keep me from living on the streets stealing lying and hurting others...in my book thats ok for now, and if some people have disorders that call for other prescritions--who am i to judge, i may suggest other things, but i dont think its good to treat them bad or "call them out" or brow beat....so that where im at on that--hahaha sorry its all so sloppy--my back is hurting...i think ive got a little luggage today..love you all, and hope i didnt fan that flame too much
Hey Amity, I have to agree with you on this. Whether it's subs or Methadone, in my eyes, so long as you are not using Heroin, you are clean. Don't ever let anyone knock you for it.
Linz x
Linz x
I used to attend NA,but eventually the "sponsor thing" & they made me feel like I was breaking their rules if I spoke- - so I gracefully ended my relationship with them.
AA in general seems friendlier to MMT. The people at NA have mentioned to me they have an official policy that states that people on MMT are still in "active addiction" and will not be allowed to speak at meetings but must remain silent, let their drug-clouded statements mar the message of recovery. They can also not hold office.
In general, most feel that the ideology of the two programs (12 step and MMT) are at odds with each other. Some clinic counselors come from a strong 12 step background and while they may feel that MMT is a "necessary evil", they strongly encourage patients to get into "real recovery" by tapering off and by attending 12 step meetings. Some clinics even require it I mean can you imagine....????
Making MMT patients attend a group that will not even allow them to participate unless they lie about their MMT involvement or stop treatment is absurd . - but that's a different topic*
That said, there are many people who feel the 12 steps have helped them immensely, and if you feel it helps -great. Many do feel supported by such groups. Many clinics also have MA (methadone Anonymous) meetings--a 12 step group for MMT patients. However, these are hard to find and often they do not have the traditional "sponsor/sponsee" thing
.
Good luck- it sure aint easy trying to deal with NA/MA - If you find them helpful ,Im sure you find a way to deal with their rules- Hell ,scores of people seem to swear by them
much respect
jack
AA in general seems friendlier to MMT. The people at NA have mentioned to me they have an official policy that states that people on MMT are still in "active addiction" and will not be allowed to speak at meetings but must remain silent, let their drug-clouded statements mar the message of recovery. They can also not hold office.
In general, most feel that the ideology of the two programs (12 step and MMT) are at odds with each other. Some clinic counselors come from a strong 12 step background and while they may feel that MMT is a "necessary evil", they strongly encourage patients to get into "real recovery" by tapering off and by attending 12 step meetings. Some clinics even require it I mean can you imagine....????
Making MMT patients attend a group that will not even allow them to participate unless they lie about their MMT involvement or stop treatment is absurd . - but that's a different topic*
That said, there are many people who feel the 12 steps have helped them immensely, and if you feel it helps -great. Many do feel supported by such groups. Many clinics also have MA (methadone Anonymous) meetings--a 12 step group for MMT patients. However, these are hard to find and often they do not have the traditional "sponsor/sponsee" thing
.
Good luck- it sure aint easy trying to deal with NA/MA - If you find them helpful ,Im sure you find a way to deal with their rules- Hell ,scores of people seem to swear by them
much respect
jack
i wasnt really talkin about na/aa as much as i was trying to say that i get frusterated with the fact that many poeple in recovery get so very closed minded about how it should be done that they hurt others--and they can really mess it up for someone in the early stages of recovery by tellin them they are wrong by taking meds that really are needed--i do know that many many people use this as an excuse to keep abusing substances, but in many many recoveries "crutches" or "helpers" such as tranquilizers, benzos and narcotics like the mehtadone are required in order to get to the place where you can be totally substance free-and that taked time for many people, ans some may need it forever--to me "clean" means to be living a life that is full of learning evolving and free from the use of substances to escape--so i guess id just like to say i hope people are very carefull when they say things or make assumptions and decisions about someone elses recovery
I agree that Methadone MMT is being in recovery. Amity i know what you mean about peoples negative views effecting those early in recovery. I remember my aunts, uncles, and cousions giving me crap about my methadone treatment. I did no other drug while i was in the clinic. It worked pretty well at helping me to manage life. In fact without it i've found my way into pills again. I don't like groups like NA/AA THEY ARE AWSOME FOR THOSE that they help i never felt they helped me I don't have the personality for groups i hate crowds and they tend to touch "hug" to much that stuff makes me annoyed. I could see how hurtful it would be to feel part of that group then to have them turn their noses up to you. Not you personally but, your friend I feel for her that was a crappy experience but, i think it's a common one.
LOLOLOL yes--whas with the damn huggin, no but really meetings have helped me emmensly in my recovery, and i have utilized theirconcepts to and may again at this time it seems im ok without, but im not against going to a meeting if i feel like crap or have the time--but it is not the only way--i havent always understood that--it was always very black and white--i was lead to believe that if you werent living "the n/a or aa way" then you werent in recovery or worhty of feeling good about not doing dugd, but i know different now and it hurts to see others feeling the way i used to feel--thanks for the responses, and i hope my points werent too diluted with negativity
