Addiction/recovery advice & support, please

To paraphrase a little, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life.

Any kind words would be appreciated, especially from anyone else out there who is living with this sort of thing. Thanks...

Keep it simple take it one day at a time if you fall off the damned horse don't be affraid to get backi on it.O8)

:-)

You've got hard work ahead, but the payoff will be huge.

If you don't have a fitness regimen, think about starting one. It will do wonders for your body and your mind.

Be proud of yourself!

Thanks - I knew that a regular fitness regimen was going to have to be part of this. I've been doing alternating days of weight training and yoga, which really seems to work for me.

A lot of "Alcoholics Anonymous" rhetoric is difficult to practically apply to addiction/recovery scenarios, but their most pragmatic idea may be the "resetting the clock" idea.

If you're "dry" for a year, and then have a drink, you go into AA and say, "I've been sober for one day." Not "I've been sober for a year, except for last night," which is how one would naturally handle it in non-AA conversation.

Thinking this way is very, very helpful. In situations where your will power is flagging off, you can ask yourself, "Do I really want to 'throw away' A YEAR of sobriety?"

Anyway, that part of the AA routine is very pragmatic and effective.

My $0.02

I just bulled through the first 48-96 hours, after that it was "I've given up now, it was hard, do I really want to throw that away?"

I found it very useful. And the more time you accumulate, the more time you're throwing away - so the more powerful an argument it is.

Another good thing to remember is that whatever your substance-of-choice is, it's a short-term fix. "If I do it, I might stop feeling shitty - but I'll be right back where I was n days ago. If I don't do it, I'll get over the need - and then I'll feel better every single day."

Be strong. Being strong one minute at a time can defeat anything.

Many I know have been helped by AA and NA. Some have not liked those programs and have started their own Secular Recovery groups. You don't mention if you are in therapy or considering it, perhaps that can help. From my own experience, it has come down to not picking up a drug or drink one day at a time regardless of what life may bring--and meditation as in sitting practise always has helped me. Some find asking a Higher-power to keep them clean and sober every morning, and thanking that higher power at night for keeping them sober to be very helpful. Good luck.

If you can say NO once, and succeed, remember the success the next time, and just say NO again, twice as forcefully. Each time you manage to walk away, your will becomes a bit stronger, and saying NO is a bit easier.

Unfortunately, the impulse stays just as strong as before, so I'm afraid it's a fight you'll be fighting over and over again for a long time.

But you CAN walk away from it, each and every time you want to go back to it. Just remember that one word.

"NO".

It works. Believe me. I said it once, 22 years ago, and I've said it every single day since, a dozen times a day. The impulse is still there, but the desire to act on it is long gone. It's a fight as much against your own worst desires as it is against whatever it is that has the hold on you. Just prove to yourself you're stronger than IT is, and you'll forget how to say YES. Only NO will remain.

And never EVER be ashamed, or afraid to seek help. There are a LOT of people out there waiting to help you, no recriminations or accusations. A hand to hold and a friend to talk to can do a lot to strengthen your fight!

Good luck to you, and may your Higher Power (AA) prevail!

don't hang with people who use.

don't go to places where you used to use.

don't do the things that using used to be a part of.

i know it sounds harsh but it was the only way i could handle it for a while.

i still avoid the people and the places but i have reclaimed the things. i can enjoy the things i love without using now.

i consider that one of the greatest victories in my life.

maybe that sounds silly but it's how i feel. being able to do things and enjoy them while straight is glorious.

but have been with quite a few who have walked your path. My best advice from this side is to find your support, lean on them and remember they really mean it when they say one day at a time. Good luck, come back often, we can support you too!

And get yourself a sponsor. I won't tell you anything specific about my recovery, because we have zero in common, and probably what I did won't work for you.

Cat

Not true - my LaunchCast player recommended Cat Power "for fans of Bree Sharp".

;-)

I would suggest to find some heathy new habit to indulge in.

Until recently, I was a heavy drinker; Someone in this forum suggested I set a goal to see if I can follow it: I chose 3 nights a week with absolutely no booze and only one night a week drinking in a bar. I found it easy to do, and also that the main reason I was drinking was because I kept booze around the house (have exceeded my goal - I drink maybe once a week now).

Anyway, instead of starting to drink when it reaches 9-10 pm, I now have a bowl of ice-cream - because I have started to keep ice-cream around the house :)

So whatever your addiction is, it probably costs money, so maybe try replacing the urge to buy it with buying something you find pleasure in instead.

Good luck!

A number of people who are very close to me have been successfully working 12 step programs. It really will change your life for the better. Best of luck. You will be in my thoughts.

and go to as many meetings as you can. Good days are coming.

Thank you all SO much. I love you guys.

We lived through my father-in-law's addiction to alcohol, and were left to pick up the pieces when it drove him to suicide. He was never able to make the step, and knowing how hard it was, I respect you and am in awe of your strength.

Good luck, my friend...I'm pulling for you.

I wish I was in awe of my strength...maybe someday.

Don't Drink, Use, smoke, inject, gamble, fondle, or whatever.

and then change your entire life.

Simple, just not easy.

But I don't have a single regret and it's worked for over 13 years for me...

Some days it's harder than others, but the bottom line
for me is, even after 37 months and 24 days without,
if I take another drink, I'm dead. Oh, maybe not that day,
but eventually I'll plow my car into a tree, go home with
the wrong guy, take pills with the booze, whatever.

I wish I could do the one day a week thing, but my behavior
always spirals out of control.

I want to live. So I don't drink.

Congratulations, and good luck. (I don't mean this to
be controversial and I apologize in advance, but for some
of us AA is too religious, too dogmatic. Books like How to
Quit Drinking Without Aa: A Complete Self-Help Guide -- Jerry
Dorsman; and Stepping Out: Recovery Without AA -- C. Shaw
worked for me.)

Recognizing you have a problem is the first step. Don't be discouraged if you fall off the wagon. This is a battle that will last you the rest of your life so chin up...

I have been in recovery fron alcoholism since 1/14/90. It is still one day at a time. The reason that some old sayings become old sayings is because they're true!

Be strong and love yourself. You've taken the first & most important step. YOU CAN GET HEE FROM THERE!

God Bless You and be well. you have my best wishes and prayers.:hi: