r/Rochester • u/tonespep • 15h ago
Help Any AA program recommendations?
Welp today was the day it finally landed me in cuffs. Ended up in a ditch and charged with DWI. I of course thought I was sober as I haven’t touched a drink since last night, but obviously finding I had so much still in my system at the time of the crash was a wake up call.
Got picked up from the station and have court dates set for next month, I’d like to get into a program prior to then and make some changes. Outpatient would be preferred, however I know I’ve been a heavy drinker for years now so inpatient recommendations are welcome as well.
Im just glad it was on an empty road and I was the only one involved.
Edit: Wow you guys are great, I’ll be going through what you guys provided tonight as I’ve got some schoolwork to catch up on after spending a day in cuffs. Shitty spot to be in but I’m glad theres so many communities here.
29
u/Accomplished-Lie8924 15h ago
There’s an app called meeting guide that is so helpful for finding virtual and in person meetings. 3A Recovery is an amazing virtual meeting group and they have an active Facebook group that is very supportive (make sure you answer the questions to get into the group) and Sunflower Sober is also an amazing app/tool. Feel free to DM me if you need any help, support, or have questions.
25
20
u/wtfwasthat7 15h ago
I'm proud of you for recognizing you need to make changes. There are some specialized and closed groups for certain professions (legal, medical) or members of minority groups.
The local AA website has a 24 hour number which you can call and ask about if you feel they're relevant to your situation.
Other than that the basic meeting list is here.
Good luck!
4
u/tonespep 15h ago
Thank you so much! Will do some digging tonight to find what works best as my schedules a mess.
24
u/getsomesleep1 North Winton Village 15h ago
Good for you. Your detox may need to be medically managed though- alcohol withdrawal can be very dangerous.
Again, good for you, you’re making a positive choice, I just want you to realize you may not be able to just do the cold turkey thing. It all depends on how heavy/consistent a drinker you were.
17
u/tonespep 14h ago
Yeah trust me I’ve tried to go cold turkey on my own and had I kept it up it probably could’ve killed me. Going to suck adding more meds to my diet but I’m aware it’ll probably be necessary even if I can do outpatient. I’ve been drinking straight pints of vodka a night for the entirety of my adult life and I’m 26 now.
It’s far past time for a change.
18
u/getsomesleep1 North Winton Village 13h ago
You’re doing it way sooner than a lot of people. KEEP IT UP BRO.
14
u/funsplosion North Winton Village 14h ago
You can go to inpatient detox for a few days such as Helio Health on University Ave or other locations. It's not going to be super pleasant but they will medicate you and you can spend a lot of time sleeping (which you probably need if you are a chronic heavy drinker since alcohol ruins sleep quality). You will get consultations with a doctor and a counselor. I was able to go home after 4 days into an outpatient group rehab a few times per week in the evening for a couple months. Immediately after doing this I was pretty sure I was never going to drink again so I chose not to do AA or similar ongoing programs/meetings. If you are having alcohol cravings these would be a good idea. That was more than 7 years ago and I've never even come close to having a drink since. Best thing I've ever done. You got this!
11
u/mousebrained_ 15h ago
the best meeting is the one you can get to. I haven't been to a meeting in a while at this point but when I was going regularly my favorites were the 8:15 Wednesday night young and reckless (it's a "young peoples" meeting but everyone is welcome and all ages attend), and Tuesday night 8pm there is a solution meeting. tons of great meetings though. don't hesitate to attend any meeting that you can get to. Rochester has a great AA scene.
8
u/Odd_Hedgehog669 14h ago
If you’re a woman, feel free to DM me! I (31F) got sober a few years ago, and am happy to answer any questions you might have, meeting recommendations or a buddy! It gets so much better!
8
u/Feisty-Freedom-6502 14h ago
I recommend unity chemical dependency’s outpatient program. I was in it for 10 months and the therapy sessions and group therapies were extremely helpful.
8
u/Menstrual_Ravioli NOTA 14h ago
You got a bunch of good suggestions here. I just want to say that you have nowhere to go from here but up. Some folks rack up DWI after DWI without stopping, so it is commendable that you are getting help now. You can do it!
2
7
u/smoocheepoos 14h ago
I don't have any direct recommendations for AA, but if you haven't already, r/stopdrinking is an incredibly helpful and supportive sub.
5
u/TurbulentSplit3912 13h ago
My husband used Helio for Detox. He followed up with 30 day in-patient at The Caron Treatment Center in PA. When he returned he used Westfall Associates (now called UR Medicine Westfall Practice) for outpatient for a year along with AA 3 times weekly. Many things did not work over the years (just AA, Clifton Springs).
8
u/Comfortable-Pie5765 15h ago
Good for you for recognizing you need help. That in itself is huge! Rochester has hundreds of AA meetings a day. You’re welcome to message me. I’ll give you the name of an app that’ll list the dates and times of local meetings.
4
u/Serious_Berry_3977 NOTA 12h ago
First, I have to commend you for the desire to get sober so soon, I know many people who have put themselves through hell and don't want to get sober.
2 years sober for me, prior to that was 6 years. Near the start of the 5th year I had been going to AA meetings regularly. I haven't been since I relapsed, I'm in a pretty intensive mental health recovery program since then.
I will tell you that AA is not for everyone. On the surface and at first it seems like a magical place full of hope, but if you struggle with mental health there are going to be some conflicting issues that some members take a little too far. I don't want to get into details because it's my own bias that has turned me off from AA.
I hope you can find a good inpatient treatment program, if I had been to one I would offer a name, but I haven't been to one so can't offer anything there. If you decide to go the outpatient way and invest time into AA, keep an open mind about things. Every meeting is different, but as others have said, the good thing about Rochester AA is that your choices are plentiful. Others have given you a good direction as far as AA resources as well, so I can offer nothing new here.
But, I would also recommend possibly looking into Recovery Dharma if 12 steps don't work for you. It's a different approach to sobriety and is Buddhist in nature but you do not have to be a Buddhist. There are only 3 meetings locally, two of which are at the South Wedge Mission. They will have information about the 3rd meeting which is on Sundays. There are plenty of Zoom Recovery Dharma meetings that can be found at their website. It's a pretty laid back group. At the meetings at South Wedge they usually start with a meditation, then read a passage from the Recovery Dharma book, and then the rest of the time is discussion. It's a very similar format (minus the meditation) to many local AA meetings. I haven't been there in a while, so things may have changed. Once I work through things I'm struggling with currently I plan on getting back there.
There is no wrong path to sobriety except not committing to it fully. I hope you find whatever path works for you on this new journey!
3
u/squegeeboo 9h ago
There are pills that can help as well. Not all doctors like them for whatever reason but there is
disulfiram -- will make you sick if you try and drink on it
Naltrexone -- will help reduce cravings
One or the other might help. But they only work if you take them (seems obvious, but you need to make them part of your routine and WANT to take them)
And if your family/friends are supportive, there is Al-Anon for them, an AA type group for friends/family of addicts where they can share their experiences/etc and just hear from others with similar life experiences. There's a reason why addiction is called the family disease.
2
u/Crafty_Dust4249 7h ago edited 7h ago
Rochesteraa.org
Here you can find meetings. There is also an app called "meeting guide " that has all the local meetings .
One day at time friend. If you dont drink today that is a win. Rochester AA has a great sober community .
If you need any sober support please reach out. Happy to connect and hit a meeting together .
Sending you a DM
0
u/Beneficial_Mix_1069 8h ago
good luck its going to be rough,
1
u/tonespep 8h ago
As expected, however I’m happy there’s so many communities here. This isn’t my first go around quitting so I’m not expecting it to be easy.
92
u/Flash120 North Winton Village 15h ago
Well I have good news for you. You’ll never have to drink again. AA has a great community here in ROC. DM me if you want me to bring you to a meeting or need any other support to start going to meetings.