San Diego Sober Living - Recovery

Do You Need Meetings Like AA to Stay Sober?

During the prestige era of American cable television, which spanned from the late 1990s to the late 2010s, a few crime dramas explored intriguing plotlines about addiction. Series like The Sopranos and The Wire on HBO and Brotherhood on Showtime portrayed substance abuse and dependence realistically. They didn’t hesitate to show the emotionally raw dynamics of attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after lapsing, relapsing, or trying to stay sober. We’ll reference these acclaimed cable shows, which many younger viewers are discovering on video streaming platforms these days, as we discuss the merits of maintaining sobriety through AA and other support groups.

Attending Meetings while Struggling with Addiction

Many fans of The Sopranos mention Christopher Moltisanti, a loyal and ambitious Mafia foot soldier, as their favorite character from the series. He struggled with heroin addiction throughout the show, often dashing into AA meetings after binging and relapsing. Moltisanti’s life under the influence of heroin was chaotic. His preferred survival method was to attend meetings after narrowly avoiding danger or when he was about to hit rock bottom. If you struggle with substance abuse or addiction, don’t wait like Moltisanti to attend meetings. You’ll always be welcomed by the AA fellowship, even if you’re intoxicated, and meetings are highly recommended for those who struggle with addiction.

Meetings’ Benefits for Sobriety

Gritty and raw realism were important aspects of the prestige TV era, and HBO’s The Wire emphatically delivered as it showed the interconnected dynamics of drug trafficking, corruption, and addiction in Baltimore. One of the most poignant scenes in The Wire involved Bubbles, a homeless opioid addict, pouring out his emotions at an AA meeting to mark his first sober anniversary. While addressing the group, Bubbles mentioned how he couldn’t reach his main AA sponsor or backup contacts for support when he was about to relapse. Ultimately, he didn’t get high because he felt the need to share how he felt when overcoming strong urges. This is an example of a strong step toward sobriety. It shows the importance of internalizing recovery and making commitments to personal accountability.

Finding Yourself at Meetings

In the Showtime series Brotherhood, which first ran from 2006 to 2008, the wife of a Rhode Island politician reveals her struggles with alcoholism, painkiller abuse, and infidelity. While estranged from her husband, she feels comfortable attending AA meetings with a member of an Irish crime family. The meetings provided Eileen Caffee with emotional relief, which she was able to channel into sobriety and an eventual reconciliation as the plot revealed she was pregnant.

Some Addicts’ Lack of Need for Meetings

Many studies show that more than 50 percent of addicts recover without attending any meetings. Recovery fellowships and support groups are highly recommended, but they’re not for everyone. Some people prefer digital spaces like the Online Intergroup of AA, which primarily schedules Zoom video conferences. Others prefer the discussion forum style of Reddit and other social networks. These options are ideal for people with introverted traits. If your treatment plan includes staying at a facility such as a Solana Beach sober living home and attending meetings, you should try them out before switching to online platforms. Meetings aren’t for everyone, and it’s possible to stay sober without them, but they’ve helped millions of addicts over many decades. 

A sober living home can provide the support you need to achieve and maintain sobriety. Solana Beach men who need assistance with staying sober can get the help they need at Casa Pacifica. Our men’s sober living mentorship program works with individual residents to develop customized plans that integrate treatment, aftercare, and recovery support resources, which results in meaningful experiences and positive outcomes in their new lives. Our services include coaching, sober companionship, and mentorship for those who are recovering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. To learn more about our sober living facilities, call us today.