I'm curious to know if anyone else has participated in 12-steps programs related to or helpful to ADHD?
I have some personal experience with AlAnon in the past, and I found the 12-steps resonated with me. As part of taking Melissa's course with my wife, the necessary self-examination triggered memories of working the 12-steps and the healing found there. When I pulled out some of the old workbooks, and read old notes, its staggering how the things affecting me then are still in orbit. I've started rereading the workbooks, looking for books more likely to be useful in dealing with ADHD, and considering finding or founding a local meeting to work the system. What I haven't found is any links from CHADD, or other ADD focused groups pointing to 12-steps. I'm curious to know if anyone else has connected these, and whether you've heard of groups that work the steps as focused on ADHD instead of alcohol or gambling?
On the core topic of hope, the epiphany about returning to "recovery" has been liberating for me to consider that an endless fight of (my) ego over neurology (both of our brains) is a self-defeating and destructive process. I have hope now that the serenity, strength and wisdom learned in the steps can end the negative cycles, heal what has gone wrong, and enable me to a better human-being/husband/father/coach/manager.
tfv0
12 Steps
Submitted by jennalemon on
I go to AlAnon (for family members of alcoholics) meetings. They have been a LOT of help. The steps, slogans, support are all there. For me, there has been a great help in accepting: "I didn't cause it. I can't control it. I can't cure it." I can't do anything about dh's ADD. Only HE can find as many tools as he can to work the best he can with who he is and how he functions. Today, in the AlAnon meeting we talked about living the slogans. "One day at a time. Easy does it. First things first. Just for today. Let it begin with me. How important is it." These all help with the overwhelming thoughts that stir around in a person's mind when things are out of our control.
Go ahead and go to meetings at AlAnon. They are great for people with ADD and for the spouses. No one asks to know why you are there if you don't want to tell them.
Thanks for encouragement
Submitted by kr on
I'm a former member of AlAnon as well and have also been wondering about whether I could attend AlAnon meetings to gain support. I'm curious, have you told any AlAnon members why you're there and if so what kind of response have you received? Alcohol is not really an issue in our relationship. It's really the ADD.
Thank you!
kr
I came to AlAnon via a friend
Submitted by tfv0 on
I came to AlAnon via a friend who suggested it during my divorce. Since my mother suffered from a mitral-valve prolapse and self-medicated with alcohol before she was properly diagnosed, AlAnon seemed appropriate. On later reflection, she is not an alcoholic, but has many of the classic symptoms - co-dependency, inconsistency and sudden-withdrawl, etc. - AlAnon was a huge help in my relationship with her, and also with myself, but I never identified ADHD with the group. I would guess that nearly all of the participants would take such an admission in stride, it is an x-Anon program and we're not there to name and shame, so no-one should ever ask you who "your alcoholic is".