What do you think about 12 step programs such as AA, NA, etc.
I had some difficulty with alcohol and drug abuse. My family intervened and got me into a drug rehab.
With me drugs and alcohol were not the only problems I had. Nor was the PTSD. I had what I could call a "living problem".
I am only speaking for myself here.
I still do attend 12 step meetings, and consider myself a recovering alcoholic. The 12 step program has shown me a whole new way to think and to live. And I am sober.

My husband and I are long time members of AA and Al-Anon respectively. Al-Anon saved our marriage in my opinion, as it taught me that my feelings and happiness also mattered and that I couldn't "fix" my husband, he had to stop drinking on his own. That being said, both Jim and I are what I term "moderate" members, in that we don't believe, as many AAs do, that Alcoholics Anonymous is the only way to remain sober. From my professional experience as a social worker, there are other methods to achieve and maintain sobriety which have just as high a success rate as AA. Once again, it seems to boil down to, do people want to commit themselves to wellness or not. It matters not the program you use, AA or otherwise, but your attitude and commitment to that program. AA has worked for us, but we would never presume to say it is the only way or that it will work for all. It is simply a means to an end.

I certainly agree. I know some who are totally immersed. And there was a time when I was myself. At that time it was a good thing, certainly better than what I had been doing. I still go to meetings of course, I still need that kind of connecting with others.
But I can't live like that any more. Today my daily schedule has me stretched out like an ironing board, with work, family, long driving distance to work, etc.
I believe if I had not got sober, I would not be alive today.
I also believe the things I did and the things I learned in AA benefit me each day.

AA and Al-Anon are wonderful programs for people in crisis. All you need do is pick up the phone, and you can be at a meeting, conversing with people like yourself, in 24 hours or less, anywhere in the world practically. A member may even arrive at your home to speak with you in person and accompany you to your first meeting. There are no dues or fees, no waiting lists, no assessments, all members are volunteers. More experienced members give of their time freely to help the new members. Jim and I used to devote countless hours to newcomers we sponsored, late into the night at times. When no one else was willing to help, we were there, just as others had been there for us.

That being said however, one does not remain in a crisis forever. Eventually you reach a management stage, and at that point, as you mention lrs, it should be natural to once again devote more time to family, work, leisure activities and so on, and less to therapy. This seems to be where many in AA get stuck, as AA becomes their family and their leisure activity and in some cases their job as well! It is, in my opinion, substituting one addiction for another, and becomes counterproductive at that point.

Uhhhh, yeah.
Saying this however, in no way minimizes what a great program it is.