Substance Abuse Recovery Thread

[abaris]

I talked about the ETOH. I should probably let you know that I did the opiate needle dance the first time around. Had 10 years straight in between.

In my case the fags are the bigger problem. Under strain the cigarette is my constant companion. I never did any substances other than the occasional grass. Because I witnessed what happened to quite a few friends of mine when I was much younger.

[brewer]

I talked about the ETOH. I should probably let you know that I did the opiate needle dance the first time around. Had 10 years straight in between.

In my case the fags are the bigger problem. Under strain the cigarette is my constant companion. I never did any substances other than the occasional grass. Because I witnessed what happened to quite a few friends of mine when I was much younger.

Quitting smoking is tough. The effects are so insidious. Therefore I still smoke. But I try. That one is a work in progress.

[abaris]

Quitting smoking is tough. The effects are so insidious. Therefore I still smoke. But I try. That one is a work in progress.

Funny thing is, I can go for more than 8 hours without having a smoke when it's required. The craving's there but no bodily inconveniences. But if I'm at home or a smoking environment, it turns into a problem.

[Whateverist]

I talked about the ETOH. I should probably let you know that I did the opiate needle dance the first time around. Had 10 years straight in between.

In my case the fags are the bigger problem. Under strain the cigarette is my constant companion. I never did any substances other than the occasional grass. Because I witnessed what happened to quite a few friends of mine when I was much younger.

Thought you were a self-hating compulsive homo for a minute there.  But tobacco?  That's really hardcore.  Stop ASAP.  Sorry to hear your job is ending.  Starting over will be stressful.

[brewer]

Another face to face meeting that has a facilitator and no religion is Smart Recovery (I've not attended but have spoken with others who do). They have online also (I've not tried it). They are not as ubiquitous as AA so not sure if you will have access where you are. They definitely have a different slant on disease/recovery.

 http://www.smartrecovery.org/

[Whateverist]

Very happy to hear you've made the decision, Thump. Now I'm rooting for you victory.

I'm fortunate to have only really ever abused food to excess, not counting about a year in my twenties of smoking too much grass.

I have an aunt, my mother's youngest sister (just three years my senior), who has really struggled with booze. Really hard to watch but she has been dry for long stretches of late. Sure hope you can win this one.

[abaris]

Well, on a lighter note. As far as beer is concerned I'm still under what monks were granted at the Reichstag in Worms in the 16th century. They got 5 liters a day. There's hardly any day when I'm able to top that.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Brewer, SMART has some really good concepts that helped, mainly AVRT. Learning how to dissociate myself from those urges helps me defeat them more easily. I haven't looked into their full program, though.

Very happy to hear you've made the decision, Thump.  Now I'm rooting for you victory.

Oh, this decision has been in effect for a year now.  All support is appreciated!

I have an aunt, my mother's youngest sister (just three years my senior), who has really struggled with booze.  Really hard to watch but she has been dry for long stretches of late.  Sure hope you can win this one.

It's just for today, for me.

[AceBoogie]

Another face to face meeting that has a facilitator and no religion is Smart Recovery (I've not attended but have spoken with others who do). They have online also (I've not tried it). They are not as ubiquitous as AA so not sure if you will have access where you are. They definitely have a different slant on disease/recovery.

 http://www.smartrecovery.org/

I personally attend face to face SMART meetings on a regular basis and I've thoroughly enjoyed the people and discussions there. The tools for recovery they teach you about there are realistic and can be applied by anyone. Would HIGHLY recommend SMART Recovery for those folks interested in a secular recovery program.

I did not like AA/NA/HA at all, but I have attended 'atheist and agnostic' AA meetings and those were more bearable than the normal meetings for me.

[Excited Penguin]

I think I enjoy beer a little too often and too much as well... I should think of stopping, or at least of drinking on far rarer occasions.

Thankfully nothing more serious than that. I've kicked smoking recently. That one's a real bitch as any smoker knows... The effects are many and far-reaching. It's a pain in the ass addiction. I hope everyone else here struggling with it can drop it as well. What I recommend is opening a new chapter in your lives, whether it is pursuing a passion, getting a new job or moving or whatever.

I find that it affected my personality and I'm still recovering from that. I don't know about the rest of you though.