I need a healthy outlet...

[Mjshells]

Hi,

I was wondering, does anyone know how I can find local NA meetings or are there other regular group type meetings that address anxiety/depression and/or addiction? I really need an outlet of some sort to vent and be able to be 100% candid and honest. I live in the states[Iowa]. Any input about what I could or should do to address my problem of needing an outlet to vent and actually be somewhat social instead of locked away in my room 24/7 would be great, thank you.

Holding so much in feels like I'm dying from the inside out and no one even knows it. It's hard to talk with people about the struggle of addiction as well as anxiety/depression/panic attacks when they have no clue what it's really like day to day, their solutions consist of, "get over it" "take a deep breathe" "just don't think about it" "you'll be okay" "just do it" etc. If it were that easy I don't think anyone would be struggling with mental illness and/or addiction. Being alone and being lonely are so very different. I have been using journal entries as my sole means of venting, but it can only do so much for me.

[Sprinkle1]

Look in the front of your phone book. Or go on line and search for your area. I wish you well.

Sprinkle 1

[Agora1]

Hi Mjshells, You are in luck. I looked up NA support meetings in Iowa and the list of cities is unending. Wish you well in finding one close to you that you can attend. Stay Positive, you are never alone

[HearYou]

MJSells,

I am trying to clarify the purpose of NA, what it offers and what it does not offer.

I am not being hard or rude, just short on time and want you to get the help you need, ok?

NA meetings are not the place to "vent" the number of issues you have and the time requirements for anything of them, particularly mental health issues.

From the urgency of your post, you may want to seek help from the ER, a mental health outpatient clinic, or a psychiatrist for evaluation and determination of what help is needed. Check your county and city services online or in the front of the phone book for some help. Call the local crisis line and ask where there is a mental health help available. You may be needing some inpatient care.

Read a little about NA on line before you go to a meeting. If you never been to a group meeting, you may have the wrong expectations. If you are addicted to a drug, NA may be able to offer support. But you are going to need a mental health professional or organization to address your mental health issues.

Addiction and mental health issues often intertwine, but most often need separate help and treatment.

NA group meetings is not a "vent station" for mental health issues. I repeat, it is not mental health support organization. It is not to counsel, advise as a medical professional, or to be worn out by a member venting endlessly about anything not somehow related to their difficulties with drug (including alcohol) addiction.

It is typical for members, if allowed, to openly "share" (talk), but is frequently limited to 5 minutes and due to time limitations and not all member desiring to speak, are able to.

It is an organization of self help and group support for members as well as new comers to learn how to live a good life without drugs, including alcohol.

A typical open meeting is structured for addicts and recovering addicts to speak is very limited, and listening to the advice of members sometimes 1 year clean to 30 years clean is very encouraged......LISTENING to what they share is important for those trying to get clean and stay clean.

If you are needing a place to vent your mental health issues, NA is not the place for you. If you are an addict or recovering addict, NA is the place for you regarding your ADDICTION.. The challenges to stay clean are addressed and some issues such as touching anxiety, depression, poor behavior, meditation, believing in a higher power for help, and working with a sponsor to stay clean and learn how to live a better life is really more to what NA is all about.

I hope this helps to clarify that NA is not meant to be a mental health organization for venting. It is there for living clean from drug/alcohol addiction. It is not the primary source for health with mental-health issues.

Wish you the very best and if you want to attack your addiction with NA, please go today to a meeting. The goal is 90 meetings in 90 days, unless you are needing detox help. In that case call the NA helpline and ask how that can be arranged.

I am thinking of you and hope you continue to reach out until you find the correct help for you. I am not an addict, but have graduate degree, experience in the mental health field and volunteer at NA meetings and other functions. Please stay in touch.xxx

[Hidden]

I really do understand, I can't talk to anyone about all that I go through. I struggle with addiction to and a lifetime of, panic attacks, severe anxiety/depression.

[Mjshells in reply to Hidden]

You're more than welcome to message me. I'm sure we could both probably benefit by having someone to vent to that has similar struggles/problems. I also struggle with anxiety/severe social anxiety/depression/addiction/ADHD.

[gogogirl]

I attended a NAMI meeting once, but live too far from the meeting. However, I did find it to be rewarding as an intro.