RE: Lutheran, drunk athiest, God, christian, non-religious, voice of God
February 9, 2011 at 6:47 am
(This post was last modified: February 9, 2011 at 6:52 am by Oldandeasilyconfused.)
(February 9, 2011 at 12:22 am)OnlyNatural Wrote: Grats Pad. Hey, if any of you have advice on how to go about tackling a substance addiction, I'd love to hear it...
I smoke entirely too much weed (don't laugh...)
And while I love it, I'm way too dependent on it. It's gotten to be an 'I just can't stop' situation and it would be cool to hear from others here about strategies and whatnot. You seem a great group of people
Sorry mate, I don't really have any answers. Below is a brief outline of what worked for me,but I don't claim it will work for everyone.
I reject all 12 step based programmes: THEY DO NOT FUCKING WORK-- BUT it IS worth going to AA, Narcotics Anonymous etc for the acceptance and support you will get,at least for say the first couple of years. Just ignore the woo-based bullshit. (there are actually a LOT of atheists in AA,we just keep our heads down)
The approach is total abstinence.Period. It's possible, even likely that I could drink if I wanted to. However, it's not worth the risk. I would rather die than go back where I was in 2002.
What I actually did: sought and accepted help from anywhere and anyone I could think of:
(1)Made a committed decision to stop drinking because I wanted to for myself and for no other reason.
(2) Went to rehab as an outpatient for a month.Followed by a year of group counseling ,one night a week.
(3) During that time I went to AA three times a week.Did that for 2 years. Then once week,then once a month. Have not been to AA for over 4 years.
(4) Saw a doctor specialising in addiction,; he is the only one in this state.Most local GPs and shrinks know fuck-all about addiction. Some (including AA) will tell you addiction is an illness. Some will swear it's learned.My position; the cause can be either or both and is irrelevant.
(5) I was as open and honest as I was capable with family and close friends, but TOLD NO ONE AT WORK!
I call addiction a condition,and one which can be controlled by changing one's behaviour. Spend time looking for insights into 'the why' after you've dealt with 'the what' . Before then, asking 'why' is just a form of mental masturbation and a way of avoiding personal responsibility,in my brutally frank opinion.
Only natural; My friend my you say you are smoking too much weed. Too much is if it is harming you or interfering with your enjoyment of life. It can do both. You are already addicted if you are unable cut back or stop.
It's not for me to even suggest what you should do.I will not judge you,and will support you in any way I can if you want. Please PM me at anytime.
