Seeing someone new or admiting failure by going back

[addictivepersona]

I've been staring at this blank page for awhile now, at a loss of what to write... I guess the most pressing issue is that I need to go see someone "with letters behind their name," but don't know where to begin. I have issues trusting people... I've seen shrinks in the past and out of the probably dozen I've seen, I could only trust maybe three or four... Of those few, one of them is currently covered by my craptastic insurance... I saw her for close to five years... She helped a lot. Quit going to her 'cause I thought I was through my issues. She's not a substance abuse counselor but I think just talking with someone may help... But I really don't want to go back to her after being away for four years now... I left 'cause I was "doing better" and was leaving for college... Left for college, gradually got into drugs, and my life came unglued at the seams...

Should I try and find a substance abuse counselor who I do not know and may not trust, or should I go back to the old doctor? I really don't want to admit failure by going back to her...

And I apologize for the lame ass title of this thread... I always suck at making titles for 'em and this one's by far the worst... Don't want to post this but no one here knows who I am...

 

[Mr Blonde]

Go back to her. She won't judge you for what has happened, I have started seeing my psychologist again after a long break due to a psychotic episode and substance abuse issues, she did not judge me at all for coming back and just wants to help me get myself back up.

 

[ichosewisely]

I fully agree with Mr Blonde, go back to her. Once you've found a shrink that you like and you feel you can trust, there's no real reason for you to look further, unless you really want to that is. Also, she won't judge you, that's one of the things you're paying for, to be able to share all sorts of stuff and not be judged like you'd most likely be by others.
Best of luck.

 

[addictivepersona]

Go back to her. She won't judge you for what has happened, I have started seeing my psychologist again after a long break due to a psychotic episode and substance abuse issues, she did not judge me at all for coming back and just wants to help me get myself back up.

But did you stop going because you thought you were better, or did you just stop going? I stopped 'cause I was better... Was moving on/out of town, onto a new/better life... Or so I thought... :-/ Four years later and I'm back where I started, minus the whole high school thing thankfully.

 

[n3ophy7e]

I think you should go back to her as well. It can be really hard to find a therapist who is right for you, and if she worked well with you before then I think you should just go back and see her again. There is absolutely NO shame in having to go back for similar problems. It's just like having to go back to the doctor for a recurring medical problem. It doesn't mean you "failed" or are "weak", it just means that you're human and you're taking charge of your problems. Ain't nothing to be ashamed about that

 

[Z Y G G Y]

The last thing you should worry about is her judging you. If anything she will be glad you were satisfied with her last time and you came back. I agree that there is no shame in going back to a therapist. You should be proud of yourself if anything that you are taking steps to improve your life. If I were you I would go see the same therapist as you already have a good relationship with her. It's not that easy to find a therapist that will work for you. Better to use the initial time on therapy than getting to know your therapist and possibly changing to a new one. All this therapist wants is for you to get better. She is not going to judge you for things that you went through. The sooner you start going the better, so go and make an appointment ASAP.

 

[lasthurrah19]

I agree with everyone else. A good therapist is hard to find... I wouldn't give up mine for anything, and I've "failed" and "relapsed" while being her patient many times. She doesn't judge. Yours won't either. Good luck.

 

[addictivepersona]

I think I'm going to take all of your guys' advice and go see her... Though I've been told it may be better to see a psychologist than a social worker (which she is)... :-/

I truly appreciate all the feedback, guys. I'd reply to each of you individually but then I'd just be rambling like I am now...

 

[Mr Peezy]

I've been to 4 therapist total and only one made a difference in my life.

I'd say you should defnatly go back to your old one if they helped you that much.

You really don't wanna end up wasting your time with a shitty therapist.

 

[addictivepersona]

The issue though now is that my old therapist (she technically is a Certified Social Worker) helped me through issues I had while sober. Like dealing with people at school, dealing with my mom, etc.

Now, I have major addiction issues (not to one particular thing [okay, pot] but whatever I can get my hands on I'll binge with) that are fucking with my life. Since I'm rarely sober now (even when I haven't smoked in awhile, there are still lingering effects...

I've tried just puttin' down the bowl, and it lasted for three months while trying for a "better job," but as soon as the "new hire fear of getting drug tested" wore off, I went right back...

 

[hyroller]

just go back. to sit there and allow your problems to intensity is the fool's methodology. show some humility and admit to your flaws, and be strong enough to seek the help you require....

 

[das_feuer]

Should I try and find a substance abuse counselor who I do not know and may not trust, or should I go back to the old doctor? I really don't want to admit failure by going back to her...

And I apologize for the lame ass title of this thread... I always suck at making titles for 'em and this one's by far the worst... Don't want to post this but no one here knows who I am...

I don't believe that you would be admitting failure by going back into therapy. If anything, you are showing some wisdom by admitting to yourself that you may need some help and that you cannot get through all of this on your own. Always remember that the help is there when you need it so long as you are not too full of pride to refuse it. I had to learn that lesson, myself, and it is not a very easy lesson to learn sometimes.

Going back to therapy might very well help you move along in life and get to a better place. Just remember that you need to put a lot of hard work in yourself, too.

For me, therapy has helped a lot. Going to support groups has also been beneficial to my situation. I don't like everything about NA. About the only thing I really get out of NA is having a group of people who can relate to me all in one spot every night if I need to talk to someone. Of course, that can't replace the professional therapy that I get, but it's a nice addition to it.

I hope that things turn out better for you. Just don't stop trying, don't stop believing that you deserve better than your present situation, and don't stop hoping that you can do it