DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Nekov on November 08, 2011, 07:33:36 AM
-
Hey, I searched and was not able to find any thread about this.
I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread to share our expiriences and help other people that are trying to quit something.
I myself stopped smoking about a week ago and am having a hard time keeping up with it. This is the forth time I'm trying to quit the freaking cigarette. The first time I lasted 3 months, the other two I lasted 6 months but I always end up coming back and I'm hoping this is the deffinitive one.
Anyone has gone through it and has good advice?
-
There are a couple of guys who have, maybe they'll check in here. I personally still smoke two packs a day, and have no desire to quit any time soon. As for other addictions, I am quite experienced. I am currently in alcoholic recovery(over 5 months and counting), and kicked a nasty drug habit about eight years ago. Anyone looking for help in either area, please PM me, I have plenty of advice to give.
-
I smoked a pack a day for 2 years or so. Some say that isn't enough time to build up an addiction to the level is hard to quit, but I beg to differ. I "stopped" smoking about 10 months ago. Since January I have bought 5 or 6 packs, three of which were for one weekend of camping in August. I haven't bought a pack since then. I still have a cig here or there when I am with my friends and they offer me one. I have however been dipping skoal for a year and half now or so, and I find that way harder to quit than smoking. The fact that I can do it anywhere makes it really hard to stop. I can be at work, in the library, or just chilling in my room, the fact that I don't have to go outside makes it difficult.
I had an alcohol issue for a while post fall. I wasn't at the point where I would day drink, I was drinking 4-6 nights a week, but when I mean drink I mean all out. I would kill a 6 pack in half hour or kill a 750ml of vodka just as a pregame. I haven't quit drinking, I get drunk maybe twice a month now. However, it's no where even close to the level it used to be. I'm a big dude, so I'll still drink 8-10 beers over the course of a few hours, but thats nothing compared to the nights where I would slam down 18 and still want to keep going.
I smoked a lot of pot over the last 6 years. I would go months at a time without ever having a non-stoned moment while awake. It didn't really affect anything other than my wallet. Since school started this September, I've toked maybe a total of 6 times.
So far this semester I have three A's and two A-'s. I have never done that well in school. I wouldn't say it is 100% due to not smoking so much, but it probably helps. I'm not hungover while trying to stay awake in class. I spend at least 40 hours a week in the library, which is something I've never done. I also now have a girlfriend who I started dating in July, and she just gives me an overall postitive attitude toward life... something that I didn't have for the longest time. I don't think my curret success could be attributed to any one thing, I'm sure it's a combination of all these things... I'm liking it.
-
I've been keeping an eye on you Chino, you've been doing awesome. :tup
-
Cigarettes are still a vice of mine I find I can go weeks at a time without one (when on vacation with my kids) but it helps alleviate the stress of the office (wall street enough said) I am also a recovering addict and will be for life I'm drug free 15 years (had a bad cocaine habit) and alcohol free 2 1/2 years ( I had a week relapse about a year and a half ago that ended with me going back to a detox center) I have learned through outside programs (AA and NA) that one is too many and 1000 is never enough. I know through education , that its a addiction is a disease like any other and that my brain doesn't function like a "normal persons" . Anyone in need of guidance please feel free to either ask here or via PM, its nothing to be embarrassed about and helps us addicts in our own recovery as well.
-
I have been cigarette/ smokeless tobacco free for 9+ years. When I turned 26 (turn 36 in January) I realized that I had been reliant on nicotine for 10 years. The bulk of that time it was smokeless tobacco (chew), but I also smoked cigs as well, more socially. I was chewing a 'can' of smokeless tobacco every day and smoking about a pack a day. Just a LOT of nicotine. But, when I turned 26 I just began to really freak myself out about cancer...thinking to myself that I never envisioned having these habits my entire life and now it'd been 10 years. So I picked a date (August 1st 2001) and gave myself from Jan to August to get my last hoorah with nicotine.
At midinight on August 1st, 2001 I took the chew out of my lip and took one last drag of a smoke.....and that was that. I cold turkeyed that junk and haven't looked back. It's not as if it was a walk in the park, there is certainly some physical addiction to it as all who have been under nicotines spell can attest to, but I personallly believe that the mental addiction and 'habit' is what you or anyone attempting to stop has to overcome. It's getting past the times you are 'used' to having a smoke...after dinner.....drinking with buddies....and so on.
The cold turkey route worked perfectly with my personalit because that is just the way I am. With most things I do everything full throttle. That is one of the main reasons I stopped drinking as well. I do not have the ability to just have a beer or two with buddies watching the game. Myh personality is as such where I get falling down drunk anytime alcohol touches my lips....there is never enough around to satisgy my taste. Once I was married and then had 3 little guys who count on me, I realized that I could not control my drinking....and in fact am an alcoholic.....so I stopped that as well on June 27th, 2009. I know that specific date only due to the fact it was the day of a golf tournament where I thought it'd be a great idea to drink about 17-18 beers then drive home......and continue to drink (2) bottles of wine. When I woke up in the morning and realized that I had jeopardized the lives of every person I had driven past on the way home and the wellfare of my wife and children...risking them either to have a father who killed himself or was sent to prison for killing someone in a car accident......that was it for my drinking priveledges. And I have to be honest when I say this, I do not miss drinking one little bit.
I guess my only advice to you can only come from how I experienced it myself, and that was I put everything in perspective. From when I was single and stopped smoking/shewing realizing that those habits WILL assure me health issues later in life...if not cancer then certainly emphazima, high blood pressure....and so on. There is NO ESCAPING the fact that cigarettes and tobacco in general are NO GOOD for you and WILL be the DIRECT cause of some sort of health issue down the road. Not that I am immune from anything from here on out, but I know i've given myself a better shot by being nicotine free.
The bottom line is that once you reconcile it in your heart and mind that you do want to stop....I believe you have it in you to stop. You just have to let it go and set it straight in your mind and make it a mission to beat it...make it a time for you to prove exactly what you are capable of.
Best of luck man....I believe and know you can pull it off!
-
First of all congratulations and thanks for the support. The reason I'm trying to quit smoking is that I've been feeling really conscious about cancer and my future lately. It's hard for me not to smoke but usualy I can cope with it by just chewing gum or eating candy. The last 2 times I went back to smoking was because I had stressfull moments that I just couldn't cope with and the only thing I could think of was a cigarette. And that's basically what I'm afraid might happen again. Do you have any good recommendation for what to do in those cases?
Oh, and the next time my birthday comes up I'll try and remember to congratulate you for another year without tobacco. :)
-
I'm addicted to coffee. Does that fit in to this thread?
lonestar. What is it about chefs and substance abuse?
-
Have been smoking for 12 years :eek Would love to kick the dirty habit, but no matter how much I have tried, I have never been able to succeed. Im too weak willed im afraid and believe it will take something serious to stop me, like a cancer scare or similar
-
Do you have any good recommendation for what to do in those cases?
I literally used 'scare tactics' on myself. I thought of a soot filled, coal black lung struggling to give me breath....me being immobile and confined to a chair or couch later in life, hooked up to oxygen like my grandmother......me dying of a heart attack in front of my kids on a hike when I was 50.....things like that. Could be construed as a 'sick' thing to do to yourself but it worked for me.
Then I reminded myself on why I was chosing to stop....for an overall better state of health and creating the opportunity for me to be able to look back one day and say that I 'beat' nicotine, and be able to use that determination and experience to help me overcome other issues life will throw at me.
You are a lot stronger than that drug wants you to believe.
-
I'm addicted to coffee. Does that fit in to this thread?
lonestar. What is it about chefs and substance abuse?
I work in a kitchen and do a lot of catering. It can be very stressful, and personally would use any excuse to get out of the kitchen for a while. Another thing, might not apply to everyone, eating makes me want a cig really bad. I loved smoking after eating large meals or even after a small snack. In the kitchen I work in, I eat stuff all day. This constant eating would give me a constant cig craze.
-
I quit smoking weed about 4 years ago. Like Chino I smoked just about every day for 4 years straight, but I never considered it an addiction. I know that's what every addict in denial says, but I quit the first time I tried, quit full-stop and never smoked again. I miss it, but I'm not drawn back to it. It's possible I would have been left with an increased tobacco addiction, but as I never smoked cigarettes that wasn't something that affected me.
Not to sound smug or aloof, but I think the reason I think it was so easy for me was that I genuinely wanted to quit. I had been considering it for some time, then one morning I woke up and said 'today's the day,' and that was that.
-
I'm addicted to coffee. Does that fit in to this thread?
lonestar. What is it about chefs and substance abuse?
I work in a kitchen and do a lot of catering. It can be very stressful, and personally would use any excuse to get out of the kitchen for a while. Another thing, might not apply to everyone, eating makes me want a cig really bad. I loved smoking after eating large meals or even after a small snack. In the kitchen I work in, I eat stuff all day. This constant eating would give me a constant cig craze.
From ages of 19-24 I worked primarily in restaurants/Sports Bars. I performed every job title at one time or another. I've been a cook, waiter....floor manager, buss boy, bartender....any and every job that gave me some cash. From my personal experience and witnessing what I've witnessed, the entire restaurant/food industry is ripe with heavy substance/alcohol abuse, and smoking cigs is seemingly a prerequisite to get hired. It's just the way that industry is. The availability of drugs and alcohol, the environment and culture that it breeds and one who works in it is surrounded by is certainly constured as 'fun' depending on your perception, but it can wear on you big time....it did a number on me for sure.
Don't interpret that assesment as a 'put down' by any means, I've been there and done that as well. It's just my observation looking back on it. And it wasn't 100% everyone who works in that environment is drinking/drugging and smoking. If I had to put a percentage on it though, from what I witnessed, I'd say it's 85-90% Those of you who have worked or currently work in the food industry, Is that fair to say? I've been out of it for a good 10+ years now....I am assuming that 'culture' still remains the same.
-
that I genuinely wanted to quit.
The largest factor in beating nicotine and/or any other addiction IMO. Considering my own 'success' and admitance like this from others who have stopped as well. Just seems to me that once you as an individual truly make up your mind, it's all but over.
-
Not to sound smug or aloof, but I think the reason I think it was so easy for me was that I genuinely wanted to quit. I had been considering it for some time, then one morning I woke up and said 'today's the day,' and that was that.
Its not smug at all, for any addict to quit first and foremost he has to want to quit, for some it takes a health scare, for others its the " I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired"
-
Not to sound smug or aloof, but I think the reason I think it was so easy for me was that I genuinely wanted to quit. I had been considering it for some time, then one morning I woke up and said 'today's the day,' and that was that.
Its not smug at all, for any addict to quit first and foremost he has to want to quit, for some it takes a health scare, for others its the " I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired"
Yeah I appreciate that, but there are many adiicts who do really want to quit but still aren't able to, and I didn't want to seem to be making myself out to be 'better' than them.
-
I'm addicted to coffee. Does that fit in to this thread?
lonestar. What is it about chefs and substance abuse?
I work in a kitchen and do a lot of catering. It can be very stressful, and personally would use any excuse to get out of the kitchen for a while. Another thing, might not apply to everyone, eating makes me want a cig really bad. I loved smoking after eating large meals or even after a small snack. In the kitchen I work in, I eat stuff all day. This constant eating would give me a constant cig craze.
Many many moons ago, before we met, my wife graduated from New York Restaurant School with honors. She ended up not really wanting to go into that business because of the stress. She's done a lot of freelance stuff like weddings, catering, or selling cheesecakes or pastries to make a little extra money. But mostly I get to enjoy the fruits of her labor. ;D But she tells me lots of interesting stories about her chef friends. I think you have to be a little crazy to be a chef. :laugh:
Actually, we have a neighbor down the road from us that went to culinary school right out of high school and landed a head chef position at a country club eventually. She doesn't seem to suffer from the same type of patterns that you see so much with chefs.
Maybe it's just a stereotype.
-
Good luck all you great people , and keep on fighting what it is that is bringing you down..I'm proud of all of you who fight back and take control
Im going to miss you all..I really enjoyed calling this my home..You all are great..this is best site ever!! its a loss for me.. =Fail
peace
-
I'm addicted to coffee. Does that fit in to this thread?
lonestar. What is it about chefs and substance abuse?
I work in a kitchen and do a lot of catering. It can be very stressful, and personally would use any excuse to get out of the kitchen for a while. Another thing, might not apply to everyone, eating makes me want a cig really bad. I loved smoking after eating large meals or even after a small snack. In the kitchen I work in, I eat stuff all day. This constant eating would give me a constant cig craze.
I think you have to be a little crazy to be a chef. :laugh:
:frank:
It is predominate in the business, no doubt about that. I think a lot of it is a hereditary trait, the noobs trying to live up to the veterans and all. A lot has to do with the stress levels, anyone who has done it can agree with me that a high volume kitchen is an intense fucking enviornment. It's worse as the chef, because you are the liason between the insanity of the kitchen and the insanity of the floor, and you are the one coordinating the two insanities. It's really fucked up at times. The one other thing that contributes is that when I get off at 11 at night, where do you think I and other industry people go to wind down? Not many health clubs open, and absolute dick else except ye ole bar. We congregate in bars with other industry people, get fucked up, and trade war stories. It is an enviornment that breeds alcoholism like flies. Add on the insane hours and you get the coke/meth aspect, a constant cycle of ups and downs. It's loads of fun, really. :\
I know I am only five months into sobriety, but I am grateful every minute of the day for it. I don't miss the insanity inherent in substance abuse, and feel better than I have since I was 13 years old(when I started using). My only wish is that AA meetings were held when I get off in my area, that is when I could use a dose of serenity the most.
Keep coming back, it works!!!!
-
Hey lonestar, as a guy who has been in and out of recovery for almost 30 years (I had 14 years of sobriety until not too long ago) I just wanted to congratulate you on your success. Well done, sir. I know what it takes. :)
-
Hey lonestar, as a guy who has been in and out of recovery for almost 30 years (I had 14 years of sobriety until not too long ago) I just wanted to congratulate you on your success. Well done, sir. I know what it takes. :)
Thanks man, it's a shitload of work, a lot more than being a drunk, that's for sure. I've seen you post about addiction before, I was waiting for you to pop up in this thread. I appreciate any advice, help, support, whatever. I'm still fresh to it, and am soaking up experience and info like a sponge.
-
i am addicted to sucking cocks
sent from my iPhone
-
I smoke weed, but only once every couple weeks or so, so I'm definitely not addicted.
-
I have been a couple months sober from weed. For a time I was smoking with friends and enjoying the company, but that slowly turned into me sitting alone in my room with nothing to do and settling for smoking. When I finally quit, it was tough. I became more irritable, less sympathetic to others, and almost always on my last nerve at the end of the day.
Since then, I've been working out on a regular basis (every night or every other night, depending on the week), My vinyl collection has almost doubled, and my art has improved by leaps and bounds. Lonestar's advice always helps, and sometimes I reread the messages he sent me as comfort food...I'd rather have his bacon though, haha.
All in all, things are looking great. :corn
-
Glad I could help, and like wkiml said, in helping another addict, we are helping ourselves. It moves us away from the self centered thinking that dominates the addict. One of the first things I did when getting sober was PM wkiml, because I knew he had done it all ready, and at that point, I was open to anything. Any understanding voice in the early days is most welcome, and giving it back keeps us on track.
-
I've smoked on and off for the last two years, though it's not too much of an addiction for me. I just recently stopped buying packs to save money and I'm fine for the most part.
My drinking, however, is beginning to concern me.
-
I'm not sure what the exact criteria are for being officially addicted, but if people can be addicted to coffee, I guess I must be something like addicted to chocolate. A rare day goes by that I don't eat chocolate in some form, and normally a lot of it.
I quite enjoy smoking, but I once made a rule that I'll never buy a packet of cigarettes. That way, I can never get addicted. So far, I've had no trouble sticking to it. I normally either just buy or bum one or two off people if I go out drinking.
-
I used to smoke total of 3 years, not very much only 1 or 2 cigarettes a day max. Slowly got to 2-3 near the end of my smoking days. I somewhat say I quit. I haven't bought a pack of cigarettes since May 09 which is good. I couldn't support it financially because I didn't have a job and I wanted to get in shape. Now I say somewhat because for camping trips a few times a year and special occasions (not that many) I've bummed cigarettes off friends or picked up a Swisher at the gas station. Most recently was last week.
I don't plan on returning to consistent smoking but I don't believe I'll ever fully quit. Part of me misses going out late at night and enjoying a nice smoke break, just me, my cigarette, and the world. The rationale is nothing wrong with enjoying one every once a while.
-
I smoke sometimes and am sort of psychologically addicted but can still (truly) stop whenever I want to. Sometimes I buy them and sometimes I am totally grossed out by them. I drink a decent amount but that's because it's my duty as someone who lives in Colorado. The only thing I'm REALLY addicted to is sugar. I have a serious problem with sugar.
Oh, and fucking.
-
Probably the internet. I say probably because I can, and do, go through long stretches of time where I don't care about it at all. But, for the sake of my study, I need to spend most of the day in front of a computer. I have serious issues not letting my mouse wander to reddit, facebook, this website, and so on.
I'd say web-surfing seriously interferes with my productivity at least 1, and sometimes 2, week days per week. The other 3-4 days I'm usually able to buckle down and really get some work down. Oddly, on weekends when I ideally should be doing all that web-surfing, I tend to avoid the internet for more meaningful life experiences.
Again, it's something I'm trying to quell as a student. The last thing I want is to become one of those guys who clocks into work at 9 and browses the web straight until it's time to come home (only doing the bare minimum of work when it must be done), and then goes home to hop right back on the net. So I'm trying to limit myself now, while I'm still a student. So far, I'm doing an okay job at it...
-
The last thing I want is to become one of those guys who clocks into work at 9 and browses the web straight until it's time to come home (only doing the bare minimum of work when it must be done)
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
(https://home.earthlink.net/~gsmithhart5/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/flair.jpg)
-
I'm addicted to eating out, I love going out to eat. I would be in amazing shape if I didn't go out all the time, if I didn't work out all the time I would look like a mess.
I think it stems from me not wanting to eat alone and wanting to get out of the house.
As for drugs I don't really have a problem, I've smoked pot and stopped whenever I liked, same with alcohol, and cigarettes. Actually I always immediately regret smoking the morning after but I like to do it in a social environment at times.
-
Luckily I don't smoke, never drink (or well, on VERY rare occasions perhaps) and don't do any other drugs. :)
-
I was a heterosexual sex addict of epic measure for several years. Still nearly twice a week on average I will recall some sexual escapade with some woman I left in my wake that I had forgotten entirely about. It's not a fun thing for me.
I also gave up cigarettes on Mar 16, 2002 in Chicago, Illinois while standing in line at the Vic Theater waiting to get in and see Dream Theater. :metal I turned to the guy behind me who was smoking at the time, and handed him my very expensive lighter. I took half the cigarettes out of the newly open pack of Marlboro lights (I had taken one out and smoked it) and gave them to the Marlboro Light smoking girl in front of me; and the rest I crushed in my hand and threw away (the symbolic aspect was important to me). I have never looked back.
All of the risky sexual deviance pales in comparison to the regret I have over ever having smoked. Dumbest thing I ever did.
Now I'm the WORST anti-smoking advocate....a former smoker. I LOATHE cigarette smoke. Passionately loathe it, if there is such a thing.
I quit using Zyban. Took the drug for like two weeks, picked a day, and said "Fuck it!" Decided while in line at the Vic that I was forevermore going to be a non-smoker. I still am.
It can be done. Just tell yourself that you're no longer a smoker, and simply stop. Don't tell yourself you're trying to quit. Just do it. It will be the greatest thing you'll ever do for yourself. Good luck!
-
Hey lonestar, as a guy who has been in and out of recovery for almost 30 years (I had 14 years of sobriety until not too long ago) I just wanted to congratulate you on your success. Well done, sir. I know what it takes. :)
Thanks man, it's a shitload of work, a lot more than being a drunk, that's for sure. I've seen you post about addiction before, I was waiting for you to pop up in this thread. I appreciate any advice, help, support, whatever. I'm still fresh to it, and am soaking up experience and info like a sponge.
The best advice I can give you is avoid complacency in recovery. The minute you think "I've got this" you're heading in a bad direction. All any of us have is a day.
-
Hey lonestar, as a guy who has been in and out of recovery for almost 30 years (I had 14 years of sobriety until not too long ago) I just wanted to congratulate you on your success. Well done, sir. I know what it takes. :)
Thanks man, it's a shitload of work, a lot more than being a drunk, that's for sure. I've seen you post about addiction before, I was waiting for you to pop up in this thread. I appreciate any advice, help, support, whatever. I'm still fresh to it, and am soaking up experience and info like a sponge.
The best advice I can give you is avoid complacency in recovery. The minute you think "I've got this" you're heading in a bad direction. All any of us have is a day.
So true, my primary goal when I wake up is to hit my pillow that night sober. The rest of life is secondary. If I don't put sobriety first, I must be willing to lose everything.
-
I think you have to be a little crazy to be a chef. :laugh:
:frank:
It is predominate in the business, no doubt about that. I think a lot of it is a hereditary trait, the noobs trying to live up to the veterans and all. A lot has to do with the stress levels, anyone who has done it can agree with me that a high volume kitchen is an intense fucking enviornment. It's worse as the chef, because you are the liason between the insanity of the kitchen and the insanity of the floor, and you are the one coordinating the two insanities. It's really fucked up at times. The one other thing that contributes is that when I get off at 11 at night, where do you think I and other industry people go to wind down? Not many health clubs open, and absolute dick else except ye ole bar. We congregate in bars with other industry people, get fucked up, and trade war stories. It is an enviornment that breeds alcoholism like flies. Add on the insane hours and you get the coke/meth aspect, a constant cycle of ups and downs. It's loads of fun, really. :\
I know I am only five months into sobriety, but I am grateful every minute of the day for it. I don't miss the insanity inherent in substance abuse, and feel better than I have since I was 13 years old(when I started using). My only wish is that AA meetings were held when I get off in my area, that is when I could use a dose of serenity the most.
Keep coming back, it works!!!!
Now that I read this it does make since. I worked at Pizza Hut on and off for 2 years while I was in college. During the summers and holidays and so forth. Because the managers wanted their trustworthy and hard working employees there to close the restaurant I was always there until 12 or 1:00am. I was so wound up that I wanted to go do something fun. I can totally see how hanging out at the bars after closing would be the best option. This was never a temptation for me since I don't really drink and the town that I worked was in a dry county. No bars. No problem. I'd just go home and watch TV for a while and go to bed.
Hey man. Great job with staying sober but can you give up the bacon. :eek
-
Hey man. Great job with staying sober but can you give up the bacon. :eek
Thanks bud. When I first got out of the hospital, the doc said I had to adopt a fat-free protein diet. That lasted two weeks. :lol
Fortunatly not drinking was enough to get my blood levels back to normal after five months.
-
Hey man. Great job with staying sober but can you give up the bacon. :eek
Thanks bud. When I first got out of the hospital, the doc said I had to adopt a fat-free protein diet.
I remember when that happened.... I felt so bad for you.
-
Hey man. Great job with staying sober but can you give up the bacon. :eek
Thanks bud. When I first got out of the hospital, the doc said I had to adopt a fat-free protein diet.
I remember when that happened.... I felt so bad for you.
On my last blood exams, she wanted me to lay off cheese. The words "fuck that" spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. :lol
-
On my last blood exams, she wanted me to lay off cheese. The words "fuck that" spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. :lol
Slightly off topic, but I had an appendectomy a few years ago. A doctor had to check my ass to make sure there wasn't any blockage. SOOOOOOOOOO, when I was being wheeled to the surgery room, the nurse said "Is it okay if we use x, y, and z drugs?" "Look lady, I've already had a guy's finger in my asshole, I don't give a shit what else you do" came out before I could stop them too
-
On my last blood exams, she wanted me to lay off cheese. The words "fuck that" spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. :lol
Slightly off topic, but I had an appendectomy a few years ago. A doctor had to check my ass to make sure there wasn't any blockage. SOOOOOOOOOO, when I was being wheeled to the surgery room, the nurse said "Is it okay if we use x, y, and z drugs?" "Look lady, I've already had a guy's finger in my asshole, I don't give a shit what else you do" came out before I could stop them too
:lol
-
:lol :lol
On my last blood exams, she wanted me to lay off cheese. The words "fuck that" spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. :lol
:rollin
Yeah, there's no way I could stop eating cheese. EVER.
-
I was weak today. I drank to much beer and ended up soming a couple of cigarretes. :'(
-
:lol :lol
On my last blood exams, she wanted me to lay off cheese. The words "fuck that" spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. :lol
:rollin
Yeah, there's no way I could stop eating cheese. EVER.
Same here. My grandpa runs a small cheese factory so it's in my blood goddamnit
-
In all seriousness, I am addicted to food, and more junk food than anything else. Recently, I downed a whole bottle of wine, 10 cheese sticks, two hot pockets, 15 pizza rolls, some mac and cheese, and 4 twix bars in about 20 minutes.
Luckily that was a treat to myself (big treat, I know) due to being done with the intensity of my schoolwork (just coasting along now). I'm aiming to get back on track since food can be a struggle for me. I subscribe to the Primal diet/lifestyle, as it actually gives me results if I fucking stick to it.
-
Definitely addicted to caffeine, I feel like shit if I don't have it every day. Not in any hurry to stop, though, because even if I get past the withdrawal I will still have the issue of being tired all the time.
I smoke up once or twice a week, I wouldn't really consider it an addiction. I have friends who spend their whole days high, and I'm definitely nowhere near that level.
-
This thread inspired. Last Thursday night, on my way home from school, I finished a can of Skoal. I haven't bought one since then. The weekend wasn't too hard, but I'm struggling right now. Tuesdays and Thursdays I am on campus for a minimum of 12 hours, a good 4-5 hour chunk of that in the library straight. I want to pack a lip so bad right now and can't. I kind of feel on edge, like there is a something missing. I don't feel a withdrawl kind of feeling, just a somethings not right kind of feeling. It's similar to how I feel when I know I forgot something at home and can't think of what it is. I'm going to fight it though.
Why can't I just get somthing that packs well, burns like hell, requires me to spit, and lasts for over an hour?
-
It's like losing internet after being on it so much every day. That happened a few years ago and I actually got depressed. If that were to happen now, yeah, I have my phone, but I would be alright.
You got this chino.
-
Hi all! Me I have my addictions as well. I just recently was in rehab for 6.5 months because of them. I hope all of you are able to break free of them. I didn't give up the Dew though or the Reese's cups.
-
Definitely addicted to caffeine, I feel like shit if I don't have it every day. Not in any hurry to stop, though, because even if I get past the withdrawal I will still have the issue of being tired all the time.
Me too. And since my caffeine intake is much higher M-F than it is on the weekend, I usually have a raging headache on Sunday. The worst part is the caffeine is one of the biggest causes of gout flare-ups, so if I lay of the caffeine my head hurts, and if I take caffeine I'm speeding towards a gout flare-up. The former is intellectually debilitating and the latter is physically debilitating.
-
posted this in the what are you currently reading thread , but figured it would fit in here as well
We All Fall Down...Nic Sheff
Just finished this book...real tough read for me as someone in recovery from an addiction..this book hit home on so many levels...made me very edgy as I was able to relate to alot of the lies and pain the writer was going through in writing the book
Would definately recommend to anyone who is going through the recovery process or anyone who knows someone who is in recovery, will definately give you a perspective of an addict/abuser
-
Hi all! Me I have my addictions as well. I just recently was in rehab for 6.5 months because of them. I hope all of you are able to break free of them. I didn't give up the Dew though or the Reese's cups.
Ice tea and Sprite have been my best friends since I quit. Oh, and welcome to DTF, have some bacon... :godisgood:
Wkiml, I will check that book out, thanks.
-
Hi all! Me I have my addictions as well. I just recently was in rehab for 6.5 months because of them. I hope all of you are able to break free of them. I didn't give up the Dew though or the Reese's cups.
Ice tea and Sprite have been my best friends since I quit. Oh, and welcome to DTF, have some bacon... :godisgood:
Wkiml, I will check that book out, thanks.
Lonestar...this is his second book...his first was called Tweak which is about his addiction at the same time his father wrote a book called "Beautiful Boy" about the pain and suffering a parent feels while dealing with an addict child
This book was about his recovery process and a major relapse he went through
-
Hi all! Me I have my addictions as well. I just recently was in rehab for 6.5 months because of them. I hope all of you are able to break free of them. I didn't give up the Dew though or the Reese's cups.
Just giving you some love, Akasha :heart
-
The internet. Just wasting time here, listening to music, watching pointless TV shows...I'm not good at being online for just 10 minutes or whatever like normal people.
-
music
-
music
I suppose I could say this about myself as well!
-
I want to quit smoking. A few months ago I stopped for about 2 weeks and didn't go through any noticeable withdrawal symptoms so I'm hoping it'll be easy for me. The problem is that I really fucking love smoking, I just don't like what it's doing to me as I'm noticing shortness of breath, a slight yellowing of the teeth and the other typical symptoms. I've had the luck of not being able to smoke at home or in the car, but when I visit friends and stuff I'll go through a pack in a few hours. been visiting my buds almost every day recently so that's like a pack a day for the past week.
I've quit taking all the shit I used to take except drinking so fuck if I can't quit this.
and I also just bought an electronic one that I actually enjoy more than the "analog" smokes.
and I'll make it a habit to post in this thread if I ever slip up, as I'm hoping the shame of posting "i just fucking failed and had a smoke" every 10 minutes will help me stop.
(sorry for the overly long and somewhat poorly written post. I just had like 2 fatass energy drinks)
-
Chocolate. Godamn, I hate my life... :facepalm:
-
I want to quit smoking. A few months ago I stopped for about 2 weeks and didn't go through any noticeable withdrawal symptoms so I'm hoping it'll be easy for me. The problem is that I really fucking love smoking, I just don't like what it's doing to me as I'm noticing shortness of breath, a slight yellowing of the teeth and the other typical symptoms. I've had the luck of not being able to smoke at home or in the car, but when I visit friends and stuff I'll go through a pack in a few hours. been visiting my buds almost every day recently so that's like a pack a day for the past week.
I've quit taking all the shit I used to take except drinking so fuck if I can't quit this.
and I also just bought an electronic one that I actually enjoy more than the "analog" smokes.
and I'll make it a habit to post in this thread if I ever slip up, as I'm hoping the shame of posting "i just fucking failed and had a smoke" every 10 minutes will help me stop.
(sorry for the overly long and somewhat poorly written post. I just had like 2 fatass energy drinks)
In order to stop my drinking habits I had to ditch my friends. I've seen them maybe 4 times since Septemberr 1st. I know that sounds shitty, but it was the only way to get my head on straight.
-
I've never gotten drunk (unless getting buzzed off of a bottle of cough syrup once counts; that was an alright if underwhelming experience).
I'm intending to go for abstinence, (personal reasons; I have no issue with others' use of controlled substances, though; they get to make their own decisions) however I can't help but feel viewed as some sort of weirdo by my peers for doing so.
Am I?
(Sometimes, I do consider doing a serving of alcohol or 2 on my 21st birthday to claim to have drunk, though it isn't something I'd want to do without really factoring in the possible consequences of doing so)
-
I've never gotten drunk (unless getting buzzed off of a bottle of cough syrup once counts; that was an alright if underwhelming experience).
I'm intending to go for abstinence, (personal reasons; I have no issue with others' use of controlled substances, though; they get to make their own decisions) however I can't help but feel viewed as some sort of weirdo by my peers for doing so.
Am I?
(Sometimes, I do consider doing a serving of alcohol or 2 on my 21st birthday to claim to have drunk, though it isn't something I'd want to do without really factoring in the possible consequences of doing so)
i personally can not think of a single reason to not be drunk whenever possible but to each his own
-
Being drunk is overrated, and hangovers are the worst. I hardly feel compelled to drink at all anymore, to be honest. Life's just better without it.
-
Being drunk is overrated, and hangovers are the worse. I hardly feel compelled to drink at all anymore, to be honest. Life's just better without it.
I agree with this statement but nonetheless I would recommend Cup that you get drunk at least 1 time and get really drunk so when you wake up the next morning you have a fucked up hangover. That way you will have the experience of being drunk but will never want to do it again.
-
I want to quit smoking. A few months ago I stopped for about 2 weeks and didn't go through any noticeable withdrawal symptoms so I'm hoping it'll be easy for me. The problem is that I really fucking love smoking, I just don't like what it's doing to me as I'm noticing shortness of breath, a slight yellowing of the teeth and the other typical symptoms. I've had the luck of not being able to smoke at home or in the car, but when I visit friends and stuff I'll go through a pack in a few hours. been visiting my buds almost every day recently so that's like a pack a day for the past week.
I've quit taking all the shit I used to take except drinking so fuck if I can't quit this.
and I also just bought an electronic one that I actually enjoy more than the "analog" smokes.
and I'll make it a habit to post in this thread if I ever slip up, as I'm hoping the shame of posting "i just fucking failed and had a smoke" every 10 minutes will help me stop.
(sorry for the overly long and somewhat poorly written post. I just had like 2 fatass energy drinks)
In order to stop my drinking habits I had to ditch my friends. I've seen them maybe 4 times since Septemberr 1st. I know that sounds shitty, but it was the only way to get my head on straight.
Chino this is the first thing they teach you in a recovery program
People.....Poeple you associated with while drinking
Places...bars, parties etc
Things.....Things you associated with drinking
-
Hangovers can be avoided if you drink water. I never get hangovers
-
I want to quit smoking. A few months ago I stopped for about 2 weeks and didn't go through any noticeable withdrawal symptoms so I'm hoping it'll be easy for me. The problem is that I really fucking love smoking, I just don't like what it's doing to me as I'm noticing shortness of breath, a slight yellowing of the teeth and the other typical symptoms. I've had the luck of not being able to smoke at home or in the car, but when I visit friends and stuff I'll go through a pack in a few hours. been visiting my buds almost every day recently so that's like a pack a day for the past week.
I've quit taking all the shit I used to take except drinking so fuck if I can't quit this.
and I also just bought an electronic one that I actually enjoy more than the "analog" smokes.
and I'll make it a habit to post in this thread if I ever slip up, as I'm hoping the shame of posting "i just fucking failed and had a smoke" every 10 minutes will help me stop.
(sorry for the overly long and somewhat poorly written post. I just had like 2 fatass energy drinks)
In order to stop my drinking habits I had to ditch my friends. I've seen them maybe 4 times since Septemberr 1st. I know that sounds shitty, but it was the only way to get my head on straight.
Chino this is the first thing they teach you in a recovery program
People.....Poeple you associated with while drinking
Places...bars, parties etc
Things.....Things you associated with drinking
Yeah, I just had my drinking buddies meet me on a sober basis. Most had no problem complying with it. As far as sober places, they don't exist in my life. I work in a restaurant, and my roommate is still an active alcoholic, though he is trying to quit too.
-
Hangovers can be avoided if you drink water. I never get hangovers
I am proof that this does not work.
-
Hmm. It works for me.
-
Change your Avatar! :lol. I was gonna say, I didn't know Mike to be a heavy drinker.
-
???
-
Mrjazzguitar..l
-
I want to quit smoking. A few months ago I stopped for about 2 weeks and didn't go through any noticeable withdrawal symptoms so I'm hoping it'll be easy for me. The problem is that I really fucking love smoking, I just don't like what it's doing to me as I'm noticing shortness of breath, a slight yellowing of the teeth and the other typical symptoms. I've had the luck of not being able to smoke at home or in the car, but when I visit friends and stuff I'll go through a pack in a few hours. been visiting my buds almost every day recently so that's like a pack a day for the past week.
I've quit taking all the shit I used to take except drinking so fuck if I can't quit this.
and I also just bought an electronic one that I actually enjoy more than the "analog" smokes.
and I'll make it a habit to post in this thread if I ever slip up, as I'm hoping the shame of posting "i just fucking failed and had a smoke" every 10 minutes will help me stop.
(sorry for the overly long and somewhat poorly written post. I just had like 2 fatass energy drinks)
In order to stop my drinking habits I had to ditch my friends. I've seen them maybe 4 times since Septemberr 1st. I know that sounds shitty, but it was the only way to get my head on straight.
Chino this is the first thing they teach you in a recovery program
People.....Poeple you associated with while drinking
Places...bars, parties etc
Things.....Things you associated with drinking
Yeah, I just had my drinking buddies meet me on a sober basis. Most had no problem complying with it. As far as sober places, they don't exist in my life. I work in a restaurant, and my roommate is still an active alcoholic, though he is trying to quit too.
Lonestar ...you are in a real tough situation with the restaurant ..and I give a big thumbs up to your buddies for understanding you battle and meeting you in sober situations. What I found that most of my so-called "buddies" whom I drank with, weren't really friends when I decided to get sober, that gave me a pat on the back and wished me good luck as they went on with their lives
-
I'm a smoker and enjoy it. I feel like I should quit, but I know I wont be able to until I actually want to. It's the only reason I take a break at work, probably isn't a good thing.
-
I didnt take you for a smoker Ms. Pie.
-
Well, it explains the stunted growth :biggrin: (j/k Pie)
-
hardy har har, haven't heard that before j/k :laugh: :-*
-
HAHAHA ME EITHER
-
I want to quit smoking. A few months ago I stopped for about 2 weeks and didn't go through any noticeable withdrawal symptoms so I'm hoping it'll be easy for me. The problem is that I really fucking love smoking, I just don't like what it's doing to me as I'm noticing shortness of breath, a slight yellowing of the teeth and the other typical symptoms. I've had the luck of not being able to smoke at home or in the car, but when I visit friends and stuff I'll go through a pack in a few hours. been visiting my buds almost every day recently so that's like a pack a day for the past week.
I've quit taking all the shit I used to take except drinking so fuck if I can't quit this.
and I also just bought an electronic one that I actually enjoy more than the "analog" smokes.
and I'll make it a habit to post in this thread if I ever slip up, as I'm hoping the shame of posting "i just fucking failed and had a smoke" every 10 minutes will help me stop.
(sorry for the overly long and somewhat poorly written post. I just had like 2 fatass energy drinks)
In order to stop my drinking habits I had to ditch my friends. I've seen them maybe 4 times since Septemberr 1st. I know that sounds shitty, but it was the only way to get my head on straight.
Chino this is the first thing they teach you in a recovery program
People.....Poeple you associated with while drinking
Places...bars, parties etc
Things.....Things you associated with drinking
Yeah, I just had my drinking buddies meet me on a sober basis. Most had no problem complying with it. As far as sober places, they don't exist in my life. I work in a restaurant, and my roommate is still an active alcoholic, though he is trying to quit too.
Lonestar ...you are in a real tough situation with the restaurant ..and I give a big thumbs up to your buddies for understanding you battle and meeting you in sober situations. What I found that most of my so-called "buddies" whom I drank with, weren't really friends when I decided to get sober, that gave me a pat on the back and wished me good luck as they went on with their lives
Yeah, it really drew the lines as to who my really solid friends were, the ones who did whatever it took to keep me sober. Can't express in words my love and gratitude for them, they have been with me solidly every step of the way.
-
I've never gotten drunk (unless getting buzzed off of a bottle of cough syrup once counts; that was an alright if underwhelming experience).
I'm intending to go for abstinence, (personal reasons; I have no issue with others' use of controlled substances, though; they get to make their own decisions) however I can't help but feel viewed as some sort of weirdo by my peers for doing so.
Am I?
(Sometimes, I do consider doing a serving of alcohol or 2 on my 21st birthday to claim to have drunk, though it isn't something I'd want to do without really factoring in the possible consequences of doing so)
Not really. I just went out for the first time a few weeks ago with some people from my psych lab and while it was fun, it's definitely something to do in moderation. Not to mention the problems it can lead to as well as being expensive.
-
BUMP because i fucked up and smoked last night and tonight. I've definitely cut down significantly though. I guess it's a small step forward?
-
BUMP because i fucked up and smoked last night and tonight. I've definitely cut down significantly though. I guess it's a small step forward?
I also fucked up on Monday. One of my coworkers had an car accident on Saturday and passed away on Sunday. I came to the office Monday but was unable to stay here for more than an hour. I soon as i got out I bought a pack of cigarettes and started smoking.
-
Hi all! Me I have my addictions as well. I just recently was in rehab for 6.5 months because of them. I hope all of you are able to break free of them. I didn't give up the Dew though or the Reese's cups.
Just giving you some love, Akasha :heart
Thanks KNH! Also, thanks for being there for me the last couple of years.
-
Akasha, sounds like your as new to this as I am, I am just under six months after over twenty five years of alcoholism and drug addiction. Aside from my programs, I post at a forum for sobriety that helps a lot, it's kinda nice to have that 24 hour a day outlet, especially when I get off work when only the bars are open. If you're interested, I can pass on the info for you.
-
Akasha, sounds like your as new to this as I am, I am just under six months after over twenty five years of alcoholism and drug addiction. Aside from my programs, I post at a forum for sobriety that helps a lot, it's kinda nice to have that 24 hour a day outlet, especially when I get off work when only the bars are open. If you're interested, I can pass on the info for you.
Thanks, but I'm not new to this. I have been an addict since I was 11 years old. I have been in rehab a few times, but this was my longest stay. I had 6 years clean before I relapsed in Feb. 2010. From Feb 2010 - Apr 2011 I was in IOP twice and inpatient twice. I need long term rehab very bad. I doubt I be alive right now if I wasn't for the long term stay.
I was have a forum for sobriety that I visit daily.
-
Akasha, sounds like your as new to this as I am, I am just under six months after over twenty five years of alcoholism and drug addiction. Aside from my programs, I post at a forum for sobriety that helps a lot, it's kinda nice to have that 24 hour a day outlet, especially when I get off work when only the bars are open. If you're interested, I can pass on the info for you.
Thanks, but I'm not new to this. I have been an addict since I was 11 years old. I have been in rehab a few times, but this was my longest stay. I had 6 years clean before I relapsed in Feb. 2010. From Feb 2010 - Apr 2011 I was in IOP twice and inpatient twice. I need long term rehab very bad. I doubt I be alive right now if I wasn't for the long term stay.
I was have a forum for sobriety that I visit daily.
Well best of luck to you then. This is my first run, and hopefully my last. My drinking had me hours from the grave six months ago, and I have no desire to go back.
-
I post at a forum for sobriety that helps a lot, it's kinda nice to have that 24 hour a day outlet, especially when I get off work when only the bars are open. If you're interested, I can pass on the info for you.
Could you post it here in this thread?
Akasha, sounds like your as new to this as I am, I am just under six months after over twenty five years of alcoholism and drug addiction. Aside from my programs, I post at a forum for sobriety that helps a lot, it's kinda nice to have that 24 hour a day outlet, especially when I get off work when only the bars are open. If you're interested, I can pass on the info for you.
Thanks, but I'm not new to this. I have been an addict since I was 11 years old. I have been in rehab a few times, but this was my longest stay. I had 6 years clean before I relapsed in Feb. 2010. From Feb 2010 - Apr 2011 I was in IOP twice and inpatient twice. I need long term rehab very bad. I doubt I be alive right now if I wasn't for the long term stay.
I was have a forum for sobriety that I visit daily.
Where were you at? I have a friend that just spent aroudn 14 months in Utah and Arizona from Jan 2010 to May 2011
-
Read Nikki Sixx'book "The Heroin Diaries". It will MAKE you want to quit drugs and booze.
I have been sober (off the booze) for 7 years as of this Dec 4th. I dont miss it, even when other people are around me drinking. But trust me, I still consider myself an alchoholic even tho I have not had a drink since then. It is a disease, but a controllablke one, as long as the person WANTS to control it. It is a lifestyle change.
In my case, I was not a real heavy drinker, just a few (4-6 beers) nightly after I got home from work. For years my wife and I had been trying to have kids. After seeing several specialists we finally came across one that summed it up to my sperm being "lazy" from the beers. I quit that day. 1 year later, we were blessed with twin boys.
-
Akasha, sounds like your as new to this as I am, I am just under six months after over twenty five years of alcoholism and drug addiction. Aside from my programs, I post at a forum for sobriety that helps a lot, it's kinda nice to have that 24 hour a day outlet, especially when I get off work when only the bars are open. If you're interested, I can pass on the info for you.
Thanks, but I'm not new to this. I have been an addict since I was 11 years old. I have been in rehab a few times, but this was my longest stay. I had 6 years clean before I relapsed in Feb. 2010. From Feb 2010 - Apr 2011 I was in IOP twice and inpatient twice. I need long term rehab very bad. I doubt I be alive right now if I wasn't for the long term stay.
I was have a forum for sobriety that I visit daily.
Well best of luck to you then. This is my first run, and hopefully my last. My drinking had me hours from the grave six months ago, and I have no desire to go back.
I did almost die. I attempted suicide and was in a coma for over 24 hrs.
Yes, Nikki Sixx's book will blow your mind. A good friend sent me that book while I was in rehab.
I was in Pennsylvania at Caron Treatment Centers.
This is the forum I'm at. I like it there and you will find a lot of support there.
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/
-
That's the same one I'm on. Love that place, great group of people, especially the mods.
-
I'm now just a day away from 19 months. I also believe Lonestar is about 1.5 weeks away from 18 months. I know I wasn't the easiest person to deal with since my relapse in Feb 2010. I do want to thank the Wookie and Kirksnosehair. I put those two through hell. I'm sorry guys. Also, want to thank lonestar and Debra. Debra sorry for stressing the Wookie out so much. To my new big brother thanks for just being there lately.
-
Not an ish - you just keep working on YOU.
-
We're in this thing together kid, never forget that.
And yes, I am two weeks away from 18 months without a drink. They told me to keep coming back, and I did, and it's working, one day at a time.
-
Way to go guys! You are an example to us all
-
Not an ish - you just keep working on YOU.
Thanks. 19 fuckin months!
-
We're in this thing together kid, never forget that.
And yes, I am two weeks away from 18 months without a drink. They told me to keep coming back, and I did, and it's working, one day at a time.
Yes we are. Love ya my big brother. Also love my other big brother Kirksnosehair.
-
Way to go guys! You are an example to us all
Thanks it hasn't been an easy road.
-
I'm not ready to admit my addictions. :-\
-
I'm not ready to admit my addictions. :-\
Thats a sign your an addict ...denial
-
I didn't know this was even here, but neat.
I formerly was addicted to pornography. I know people don't label that as an addiction, but frankly it was a very difficult struggle for me from preteen in early college. I don't like to play the comparison game, but from what I know about porn addiction, I didn't have it as bad what many have described it to me as. It was bad enough for me to feel like I needed help. I was blessed to have good men in my life who could help me walk out of that mess.
Also, addicted to coffee, like a fiend. Although, just read that five hour energy story and now I want to quit :-[
-
I'm not ready to admit my addictions. :-\
Thats a sign your an addict ...denial
I don't think he is denying them, he just doesn't want to share them with us.
-
I'm not ready to admit my addictions. :-\
Thats a sign your an addict ...denial
I don't think he is denying them, he just doesn't want to share them with us.
Bit of both.
-
Addicted to the Internet. I'm on it for more than like an hour or day, and not for school.
Used to be addicted to caffeine...got over that though.
Used to be addicted to video games, but then college happened and I didn't bring any games with me.
-
Hello, currently addicted to coffee and going to the gym. The wife is addicted to chips and fountain diet coke.
For those of you that have a nicotine addiction, you know this, but you cannot quit if you do not want to and the worse thing anyone can do is stay on you about it. I quit cigars using nicotine gum and the online website 'quitnet'.
Happy for those celebrating being quit to whatever addiction you have.
-
Addicted to the Internet. I'm on it for more than like an hour or day, and not for school.
I'm not quite sure that constitutes an addiction.
-
It's probably more like 3 or more.
-
It's probably more like 3 or more.
You're fine. I don't want to get into a debate about what constitutes an addiction out of respect for the people here who actually have addictions. But rest assured....you're fine.
-
I mean, it's a real thing. Addictions don't have to be based on external substances. Obviously it's not a dangerous of an addiction as smoking/drinking/drug use, but it's still a problem.
-
H, I agree with Adami that you're probably fine, unless your internet use is so heavy that it's interfering with your life in some way (like you're ignoring your responsibilities because you're too busy browsing the internet), but that wouldn't seem to be the case if you're only on the Internet for 3 hrs/day.
-
I mean, it's a real thing. Addictions don't have to be based on external substances. Obviously it's not a dangerous of an addiction as smoking/drinking/drug use, but it's still a problem.
If you are restless, irritable, and discontented in it's absence, then it might be an issue, but I'm talking an extended absence.
As a sufferer of behavioral addictions also(there really isn't much I'm not addicted to), yes, they are very real, and can be AS destructive as a chemical addiction.
-
I mean, it's a real thing. Addictions don't have to be based on external substances. Obviously it's not a dangerous of an addiction as smoking/drinking/drug use, but it's still a problem.
Oh I well versed in addictions of multitude. You're still fine.
-
I'm on the internet way, way more than that, but I wouldn't say I'm addicted. It doesn't interfere with my life, I just have so much free time and that goes to internet.
-
I'm now one week and one day away from 2 years. It is just a miracle that I've made it this far. I've been dealing with a lot of personal issues the last few months. There was a few times before I got serious again that I had drugs on me. I feel I'm doing better emotional then I was in January. I'm not having 3-4 panic attacks a day. I'm not having nightmares nightly and actually sleeping through the night. Has been so long since I've done that.
I'm looking forward to my move to Florida in the next couple of months. A new beginning for me. I need that.
-
Not to be lurkish, but where in Florida? I just moved to the Tampa area recently and if you ever wanted to catch some lunch I'd find that to be swell :)
-
Not to be lurkish, but where in Florida? I just moved to the Tampa area recently and if you ever wanted to catch some lunch I'd find that to be swell :)
St. Augustine
-
Basically, I'm not addicted to anything anymore. Yay! Solution: being busy. I simply don't have time to develop/maintain an addiction.
-
Not to be lurkish, but where in Florida? I just moved to the Tampa area recently and if you ever wanted to catch some lunch I'd find that to be swell :)
St. Augustine
Welp, that's a bit too far, but I hope you enjoy Florida regardless!
P.S. That's where one of my favorite musicians lived, she moved to Oregon though D:
-
I reached my 2 yrs on Tuesday! It was an amazing feeling. It hasn't been easy the last couple yrs. I want to thank RJ, Rai, and Barry for being there for me. Also, very sorry for how I have treated you guys the last few years as well. I love you guys!
-
I am very much addicted to caffiene. Hard for me to go long without a coffee or soda or whatever else has caffeine.
I smoke a lot of pot. I'm not so sure of how addicted I am. I used to smoke a bowl every day for like 7 years with sometimes a month break in between. Now I smoke a few times a week, sometimes twice, sometimes up to six times. I love the stuff and I feel it is good for me in a way I can't explain easily. I notice no difference at all in my life when I'm smoking or not which is why its hard for me to say if I am addicted.
I drink alcohol twice maybe three times at most a week. I think my fiance thinks I'm addicted to that because when I drink, I drink a lot.
-
Not to be lurkish, but where in Florida? I just moved to the Tampa area recently and if you ever wanted to catch some lunch I'd find that to be swell :)
St. Augustine
Welp, that's a bit too far, but I hope you enjoy Florida regardless!
P.S. That's where one of my favorite musicians lived, she moved to Oregon though D:
I have a friend that lives in Lakeland. We plan to meet up sometime this summer. It might be a half way point for both of us though.
-
It has now been two years since my last drink. Huge thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over that time, I am humbled and grateful :heart
-
:laugh: Congrats RJ! You are an example to all of us
-
:hifive:
We are humbled by your commitment bro. Not glad that you went through all of what you had to, but glad you've gone through the last 2 years the way you have. Otherwise there'd be a few dozen people here that would've missed out on your awesomeness. In the end, you wouldn't be the person you are today without all the experiences you had to endure.
:RJ:
-
It has now been two years since my last drink. Huge thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over that time, I am humbled and grateful :heart
That's awesome! I know how difficult that is to do....yesterday was my 4 year anniversary. I wish you nothing but strength as you continue on in the fight.
-
It has now been two years since my last drink. Huge thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over that time, I am humbled and grateful :heart
That's awesome! I know how difficult that is to do....yesterday was my 4 year anniversary. I wish you nothing but strength as you continue on in the fight.
Kudo's to you too Gary.
:hug:
:nohomo:
-
Kick ass!!!
-
It has now been two years since my last drink. Huge thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over that time, I am humbled and grateful :heart
So proud if you, RJ! I know how hard it is. You are such a strong person. So glad you are my big brother.
-
It has now been two years since my last drink. Huge thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over that time, I am humbled and grateful :heart
That's awesome! I know how difficult that is to do....yesterday was my 4 year anniversary. I wish you nothing but strength as you continue on in the fight.
Proud of you! 4 years is a long time. I had 6 years before my relapse from hell. I'm now clean from pills, coke, heroin, and alcohol for a little over 2 years. RJ, Rai, and Barry has watched me over the last few years go through my personal hell. They are awesome guys and I love them all.
I don't know your story but I'm still proud of you and congratulations. All of us need to stick together to continue our journey and to watch the years add up of each other.
-
:hug:
:nohomo:
Where's my hug.....
And Gary, awesome man!!!
Kym... :heart
-
:hug:
:nohomo:
Where's my hug.....
You'll know it when you get it.
-
:caffeine:
-
It has now been two years since my last drink. Huge thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over that time, I am humbled and grateful :heart
That's awesome! I know how difficult that is to do....yesterday was my 4 year anniversary. I wish you nothing but strength as you continue on in the fight.
Proud of you! 4 years is a long time. I had 6 years before my relapse from hell. I'm now clean from pills, coke, heroin, and alcohol for a little over 2 years. RJ, Rai, and Barry has watched me over the last few years go through my personal hell. They are awesome guys and I love them all.
I don't know your story but I'm still proud of you and congratulations. All of us need to stick together to continue our journey and to watch the years add up of each other.
The short and sweet version of my story is I had an older male cousin that when I was 9 decided he'd 'do' things to me. We were inseparable and I guess his plan all along was to get close to me then execute his plan.
Bottom line is I spent about 10 years self medicating wih Pot and booze. Once I realized I had a drinking problem I went into counseling to 'understand' my actions better. It helped a lot. But honestly, my biggest inspiration has been God....and my awesome Wife. Then when we had kids I knew I owed it to them to try and be 'the best' Dad possible. And drinking wasn't helping.
I think those of us who are in this battle know there is no 'winning' it. It truly is a day to day deal. I'm just VERY blessed with a great wife to help me keep focused and awesome kids who inspire me to make the right choices. But I know I'm one selfish thought and action away from it all.
I hope we all remain diligent and thoughtful in the fight!!!!
-
I was closet drinking Vodka for a couple of years from like 04 to 06. My wife kept finding bottles hidden in the basement. She would confront me and I would promise not to do it again. Then I would and get caught again.
It was ugly and it threatened my marriage. Not only from the drinking part of it, but from a lack of trust she had in me. I finally wised up and stopped doing it. I was in a very dark place during those years for a few reasons.
I turned the page and while I am still a beer drinker now, I truly pick my spots and drink in moderation. My wife trusts me again and I have not betrayed that trust.
The one thing I would say about losing someones trust. Even once they tell you they really do trust you again, the tormenting thing for you as an individual is that its takes you a longer time for you to feel worthy of that trust, and part of you for a long period of time doesn't really believe they truly trust you. You think they are just saying they do. Its a bit of mental anguish, but I earned it.
Some might say I should have stopped drinking altogether but I was never really drinking a lot every day, just enough to numb my pain and feel medicated. I was probably drinking a little over a half pint of vodka a day.
It all started when I injured my shoulder and it took my career of installing flooring away from me forever. I couldn't deal with it, and was mired in depression for quite awhile. I had just turned 40 and I was in a very bad place.
I greatly admire and respect those who beat addictions. I smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 13 years and quit cold turkey. Its been 25 years since I quit smoking. I am still thankful today that I broke free of that habit.
-
I've had long arguments with people about what i perceive to be the difference between being addicted to a soft drink and just liking the taste so much you just choose it over any other soft drink.
The difference being - i can quite easily NOT drink it. I once went for two months without any caffeine at all when my doctor advised me to after i developed a tremor in both my hands [ which wasn't helped by poor diet and lack of sleep ... ]
But if you like something a bit more than average then it's an addiction apparently.
-
It has now been two years since my last drink. Huge thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over that time, I am humbled and grateful :heart
:hug: :heart
-
It has now been two years since my last drink. Huge thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over that time, I am humbled and grateful :heart
:hug: :heart
You must be parched :neverusethis:
-
:icy:
Was waiting for that one :P
-
It's an awesome accomplishment to get sober, especially the first time trying, and achieve two years of continuous sobriety. I've battled addiction longer than I care to admit and I have rarely come out on the winning side.
Someone once asked me what it was like to be addicted to drugs or alcohol. I explained it this way:
1. Blow every ounce of air out of your lungs and then hold your breath right there.
2. When you have reached one minute without inhaling, think about how it feels needing to just take that next breath.
3. Think about what it might feel like to have a need that powerful 24/7/365, because that's what it's like being an addict.
-
Sounds about right.
-
It's an awesome accomplishment to get sober, especially the first time trying, and achieve two years of continuous sobriety. I've battled addiction longer than I care to admit and I have rarely come out on the winning side.
Someone once asked me what it was like to be addicted to drugs or alcohol. I explained it this way:
1. Blow every ounce of air out of your lungs and then hold your breath right there.
2. When you have reached one minute without inhaling, think about how it feels needing to just take that next breath.
3. Think about what it might feel like to have a need that powerful 24/7/365, because that's what it's like being an addict.
Wow. Not sure what else to say. That's a pretty powerful statement.
-
There have been studies on addiction that have shown that opiate addiction in particular stimulates a part of the human brain that is very closely related to our most basic survival instincts, such as "Fight or Flight" and "Kill or Be Killed" type instincts. It explains why drug addicts can be so cunning and ruthless in their pursuit of that next fix/hit/pill/shot.
-
I'm addicted to pokemon right now.
-
There have been studies on addiction that have shown that opiate addiction in particular stimulates a part of the human brain that is very closely related to our most basic survival instincts, such as "Fight or Flight" and "Kill or Be Killed" type instincts. It explains why drug addicts can be so cunning and ruthless in their pursuit of that next fix/hit/pill/shot.
This was one of the first things in therapy I learned, and I held onto it strongly. Once I heard about guys drinking on donor livers and other more gruesome stories of desparation, I developed a deep, deep respect for the disease.
-
As a non-drinker I can't understand things like
Students who you know are only there to spend their student loan on booze. I had a friend who would go out at the weekend purely
" to see where I wake up. " and was always moaning about being skint.
And I overheard a group of guys talking about going out and getting drunk and one of them went :
( in typical dopey teen voice ) " Uhhh its's like...I never intend to do out and get drunk but it's like...my brain won't let me stay sober...it's really weird y'know ? "
:lol
Now, I'm not here to poke fun at anyone with a genuine problem but as a non-drinker it's always fascinated me and perplexed me how
People only start drinking / smoking so they can fit in with their leery, rowdy mates who would take the piss if they didn't drink.
i'll never understand how people just force themselves to overcome their initial hatred for alcohol just so they can be part of a clique.
" Oh, you have to get used to the taste of alcohol first. "
Mmmm. If I don't like the taste of something - I don't normally force myself to 'get used to it' just to be one of the guys.
I once knew a guy who was completely anti-smoking and eventually just started because
" Oh, I hated when my friends would go outside for a smoke and I couldn't join them because I don't smoke. "
??? I forgot it was impossible to talk and not smoke.
-
Everyone's different man, and some people's need for acceptance is stronger than their need for self preservation. Me, from the get go at a very young age, I always used/drank for annihilation.
-
I stopped smoking by switching it to using Snus ;D
Now i've been using snus for like 6 yrs. Good stuff.
-
People only start drinking / smoking so they can fit in with their leery, rowdy mates who would take the piss if they didn't drink.
I started drinking and doing drugs as a teen to escape into a world of pain and numb myself from it.. I came from extreme dysfunction in my home and it was often a scary place. My father was a big drinker and a very violent guy. I have seen some things that definitely left some permanent scars. So no offense but a statement like this says you are a bit out of touch with the true reality of life for many. If you started your sentence with, "many" I would have no problem with it.
If you don't relate to what I'm saying you are a lucky man.
-
I said it perplexed me how people start drinking only to fit in.
I didn't explicitly say everyone does that.
I had a violent upbringing too. Instead of turning to narcotics etc - I simply have no self esteem whatsoever instead. :)
-
I said it perplexed me how people start drinking only to fit in.
I didn't explicitly say everyone does that.
I had a violent upbringing too. Instead of turning to narcotics etc - I simply have no self esteem whatsoever instead. :)
Sorry to hear you dealt with violence as well. For me I became the guy that always had to stand out in a crowd. The life of the party, always keep them laughing. It fueled me and made me feel self worth.
That's why I became a lead singer is a band. (still am) It gave me an ultimate feeling of acceptance, power, and control.
-
Drugs were an escape for me as well. I was subjected to physical abuse including torture severe beatings - things that would leave big enough marks on my body that my parents would keep me home from school until those marks faded enough to be explained as "normal wear and tear for a kid" ::)
Drugs, booze and generally being a wild and out of control thug/punk/criminal were just how I responded to that type of treatment.
-
I seem to have developed what is probably classed as an addiction to smoking when I've had a few drinks.
I normally hate the things, cannot stand one drag of a cigarette when sober, and I was massively anti-smoking until I came to uni.
I started having a couple of cigarettes on nights out to clubs/bars around November 2010, just 'cause I was offered one and enjoyed the heightened buzz from the mix of booze and tobacco. Fast forward a couple of months and I'm now also having a couple if I go to the pub for a few drinks or if I'm having a movie/drinking night with friends.
I've maintained this level of smoking for over 2 years now, with the amount per week being around 10, sometimes as many as 20 if I have a particularly busy social calendar that week. I can go as long as I want without a cigarette and not get any sort of craving unless I get those first few beers in my belly.
I don't plan on doing this forever, and am aiming to stop when I finish uni and have to settle down into the real world. I did try those e-cigarettes at one point as a healthier alternative, but I found I do not get the buzz I seek. I can only assume this comes from the carbon monoxide in real cigs, and it is that lack of oxygen to the brain, not the nicotine, which I enjoy/crave (much like a Nitrous Oxide addict).
Do you think this level of smoking, say 10 a week for 3 years, is that harmful in the long term?
-
Drugs for me was an escape from me as well. I had to numb myself from the abuse in my life. Even now I have trouble handling the memories. I'm doing better then I was a few months ago. I didn't use or drink because my friends did.
-
I said it perplexed me how people start drinking only to fit in.
I didn't explicitly say everyone does that.
I had a violent upbringing too. Instead of turning to narcotics etc - I simply have no self esteem whatsoever instead. :)
Sorry to hear you dealt with violence as well. For me I became the guy that always had to stand out in a crowd. The life of the party, always keep them laughing. It fueled me and made me feel self worth.
That's why I became a lead singer is a band. (still am) It gave me an ultimate feeling of acceptance, power, and control.
:lol Everything you said Is the exact opposite of me. I hate social situations. I tried being a frontman and absolutely hated it.
I don't mind being a guitarist or drummer as long as all the attention isn't on me, ergo - I hate soloing at jam night because that means i'm in the spotlight.
My ambitions for being a successful musician were always mocked growing up so it was bound to affect me.
Although I have used humour myself to help. Gallows humour ya might say. :P
For the heck of it - I looked up signs of being depressed online and there were like 5 symptoms and I could put a big fat green tick next to each of them but I don't want to be on medication so I don't really want to visit the GP.
It's been especially bad recently as i've been unemployed for a few months - I get really bad during winter and now I just well up at the slightest f---ing thing :lol
Hey Ho. :)
-
Do you think this level of smoking, say 10 a week for 3 years, is that harmful in the long term?
I'm no expert but that doesn't sound like a huge amount to me. I've heard that your lungs can clean themselves up if you quit soon enough.
Or something. Perhaps look up online ?
-
I formerly was addicted to pornography. I know people don't label that as an addiction, but frankly it was a very difficult struggle for me from preteen in early college. I don't like to play the comparison game, but from what I know about porn addiction, I didn't have it as bad what many have described it to me as. It was bad enough for me to feel like I needed help. I was blessed to have good men in my life who could help me walk out of that mess.
It is on one hand, because it is a behavior that is addicting due to the feeling or outcome. There may or not be a brain chemical attached to all addictive behavior; I could not find what I heard a long while ago in my studies, but I wouldn't discount it.
On the other hand, sex addiction will not be in the DSM V as an official diagnosis, and so that rules out porn addiction basically. I would say most treating practitioners/clinicians, myself included, believe it is one though.
-
I wonder where you draw the line between addiction and just really liking something :p
Is it when you cannot function without it ?
-
I wonder where you draw the line between addiction and just really liking something :p
Is it when you cannot function without it ?
In basic terms I would say yes. When it basically impairs normal, society expected functioning in one's life. That is why we have the term functional alcoholic, as they drink way too much, but it does not impair their personal or professional life.
-
There was a guy who I used to work with who had to go home from work early to get to the pub because he was actually dependant on alcohol.
I don't know if that was true or not but he was a horrible person anyway :lol
-
i was physically addicted to alcohol..if I didn't have a drink I would get the shakes ( tremors ) to the point I couldn't sign my name orhold a glass of water. The chemical dependency became so much that I couldn't function without it . Also alcohol withdrawal can kill you (Grand Mal seizure) which is why you are always supervised by a doctor in either a detox center or hospital when quitting
-
I wonder where you draw the line between addiction and just really liking something :p
Is it when you cannot function without it ?
I'm not sure. There's a really fine line. I've been smoking cigarettes for 28 years but was never a heavy smoker. Half a pack or slightly more per day on average. I quit smoking at work nearly 20 years ago. I don't think about it much while I'm at work and can function pretty well, but when I get home, that's the first thing I do. It does seem to have a physical affect on me if I go more than a day without smoking but it also depends on where I am at the time. If I'm not at home, it doesn't affect me as much. I went to NY for week and only smoked a pack the whole week. I guess I was just too busy doing things instead of sitting in my house in front of the TV. That's when I smoke the most. I could probably quit if I wanted to, but I really like smoking. They say, you have to want to quit first. I think that's my problem. Not so much the physical addiction, but the fact that I enjoy it too much to want to quit. But, that's just me.
-
I still dip, but I haven't smoked a cigarette in 10 months. Quit cold turkey, haven't even had a desire to smoke one. The desire must be there somewhere, because every once in a while I'll dream that I "gave in" and smoked a cigarette.
-
I still dip, but I haven't smoked a cigarette in 10 months. Quit cold turkey, haven't even had a desire to smoke one. The desire must be there somewhere, because every once in a while I'll dream that I "gave in" and smoked a cigarette.
I used to chew and dip (Red Man Golden Blend and Kodiak) non stop. Started when I was 14 because I was a baseball player and that's what we thought was 'cool'. Later in life I became a social smoker as well, only when I drank, but always maintained the chewing addiction.
When I turned 26 I was beyond a social smoker....smoking about a pack of KOOL methals a day...on top of about a can a day chewing habit. I had nicotine entering my body in some fashion nearly all the hours I was awake. I sat and thought about it one night and I had a hear to heart with myself and said "self....you never envisioned living your life as someone addicted to nicotine....so stop" I decided to pick the date 'August 1st' as my cold turkey quit date...which gave me a good three months to say 'goodbye' to nicotine. The August date was significant because that was the year anniversary of me surviving a snake bite from a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
So, at midnight when the clock struck twelve....I spat my last chew spit and stopped cold turkey. That was 12 years ago...this august will be 13. Other than the first month or so I can say I don't miss it at all and honestly when I smell an open can or bag of chew I weez a bit and I cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke at all.
-
It's a weird one for me.
For whatever reason - ( I have absolutely no idea what it is ) - i've just never been remotely interested in trying a cigarette or getting drunk.
I've had alcoholic drinks every once in a while so i'm not going to be Mr. Holier Than thou - but as a rule - I don't touch it.
From as young as I can remember - i've just always been vehemently against trends and it continues to this day.
For example - I have no problem saying I dislike Star Wars - even though you're apparently supposed to love it.
Also I absolutely despise football. But you can't say that in a group of "blokes".
[ I even had a so-called friend once who couldn't understand this and said he was determined to get me drunk, because everyone has to get drunk at some point in their life apparently ? ]
Not interested in cars really except for aesthetic reasons. V8's and Torque etc - I have no idea what you are saying.
Never been into wearing what everyone else is wearing. I've never owned skintight jeans for example.
In summary - I don't know what instilled this in me from a very early age but i've always been against whatever is "trendy"
Or whatever you're apparently "supposed" to like.
-
Day three without a cigarette. :RJ:
(That's an ecig in my emotes mouth now)
-
Day three without a cigarette. :RJ:
(That's an ecig in my emotes mouth now)
Nice job, bud. :tup
-
Day three without a cigarette. :RJ:
(That's an ecig in my emotes mouth now)
No shit! good on ya.
-
Day three without a cigarette. :RJ:
(That's an ecig in my emotes mouth now)
So proud of you. I have been after you to quit for awhile.
-
Day three without a cigarette. :RJ:
(That's an ecig in my emotes mouth now)
So proud of you. I have been after you to quit for awhile.
Shit Kym,you got nothing on my mom in the nagging department.
-
Day three without a cigarette. :RJ:
(That's an ecig in my emotes mouth now)
So proud of you. I have been after you to quit for awhile.
Shit Kym,you got nothing on my mom in the nagging department.
That's got to be tough being a chef. Working in catering made me want to smoke almost as much as drinking does. Best of luck :tup
-
Day three without a cigarette. :RJ:
(That's an ecig in my emotes mouth now)
So proud of you. I have been after you to quit for awhile.
Shit Kym,you got nothing on my mom in the nagging department.
I'm glad she also nagged you!
-
This is a fascinating thread. I must say I believe I'm more like kotowboy in my thoughts about drinking and drugs - I've never been drunk (although I do enjoy alcohol on social occasions). I love wine with meals. But I do not drink when I am depressed or down; it just makes me feel worse. Only jolly or neutral drinking for me! :) And it's never been necessary in order for me to enjoy myself or "put myself out there" in social situations or in fronting the band I used to sing with. Plus fitting in with the crowd has never been a strong desire. They can like me as I am or move along.
Drugs -- no. The possibility of situations or my own self getting out of my control is frightening to me. I like keeping my wits about me. :P And I'd never have the money for it.
Cigarettes -- never saw the appeal. Doesn't look good, smell good, ruins your body...using tobacco is fairly grotesque IMO.
I definitely have other issues in my life and I battle with depression and feelings of low self-esteem that really reduce my motivations in life. Sleep is more my "drug" of choice but even that is not as refreshing as it once was. :(
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you guys' openness, diligence and strength with fighting something that could permanently injure you. I really respect you all -- well done to you! :hefdaddy
-
Day three without a cigarette. :RJ:
(That's an ecig in my emotes mouth now)
Did you switch to e-cigs or quit smoking entirely? Curious.
I think the switch to e-cigs is at least a good first step towards giving them up completely. I have a friend who eventually quit that way.
-
Sweet deal RJ! What kind did you go for? I haven't taken that step yet. My sister did, but still smokes the normal ones too.
-
I switched to ecigs,got the refillable vaporizer unit and can control my nicotine levels. Working really well so far.
-
I switched to ecigs,got the refillable vaporizer unit and can control my nicotine levels. Working really well so far.
My brother quit with this technique. Best of luck!
-
Solid step in the right direction, dude :tup
-
Found on Reddit today. Would this help, if your SO encouraged you this way?
(https://i.imgur.com/jVpzxrH.jpg)
-
If I had a SO, yes, that would help tremendously.
And thanks for the support guys, unlike the drinking thing, which was more a matter of survival, this is something I'm doing to better my life all around. The money, the not smelling like ass, the extra time, the self pride and confidence, all that shit.
(yes, I know cigs will kill me too, but the drinking was gonna kill me a whole lot sooner, like really quickly if I didn't stop)
-
OK, cigarettes won this round. I can't believe how strong the addiction is, damn man. I think my main mistake was going with a nicotine content in the vape liquid that was too strong, made it a drug in its own right, not good man. Gonna talk to my addiction counselor and a bud of mine who pulled it off, make a good gameplan for this.
I will be back, as DTF is my witness, I will quit smoking.
-
sorry, man. keep at it! :)
-
I will dude. It's funny, I smoked that first one, and was all "damn, these taste like shit" :rollin
Then smoked another. Fucking idiocy :lol
-
OK, cigarettes won this round. I can't believe how strong the addiction is, damn man. I think my main mistake was going with a nicotine content in the vape liquid that was too strong, made it a drug in its own right, not good man. Gonna talk to my addiction counselor and a bud of mine who pulled it off, make a good gameplan for this.
I will be back, as DTF is my witness, I will quit smoking.
I will hold you to that. If not I will keep nagging you. I want you around for a long time.
-
As I told you before.....many many times....I got one mother to nag me, that's enough. :lol
(appreciate it Kym :-* )
-
Hey, if a great chef like you RJ, is not fat, then you can beat anything.
Signed,
A Paul Prudhomme look a like.
-
As I told you before.....many many times....I got one mother to nag me, that's enough. :lol
(appreciate it Kym :-* )
I nag because I love you.
-
Necrothread.
Been smoking for about 2 years. Need to give it up. Has anyone tried/had any success with the Alan Carr book 'Easy Way to Quit Smoking'? I read like, half of it and ended up not smoking for a week, which was pretty shocking. I feel like its some kind of hypnosis or something cos the book is insanely repetitive insanely repetitive insanely repetitive.
Also, interested to see how you are all doing with this sorta stuff, if you feel like sharing. Reading through this has been heartwarming <three
-
Clean from meth for over ten years.
Last pot smoked on 12/7/10 (I remember the date cause it was at the Wall during Comfortably Numb)
Last booze, and my official sobriety date- 5/28/11
I still attend regular 12 step meetings as well as a weekly chemical dependancy therapist. Best ride of my life for sure.
And tomorrow marks three weeks without a smoke. Just using the patch and my plethora of addiction knowledge, it's been a pretty easy ride so far. I honestly think the days leading up to my quit date were harder than the actual quitting.
-
Congrats RJ! I'm really happy you can put all those things behind you :smiley:
-
Congrats!
I always struggled to get to the three week mark. I think three weeks is significant though - it was always where the cravings started to drop off.
I'm smoke free since mid September last year. I like being able to wear the same hoody a couple of days in a row!
-
OK, I quit smoking cigarettes in 1996. The *only* reason I was able to put them down is because I was in prison and they banned all tobacco products in the MA Prison System starting on June 1, 1996.
To give you some perspective on it, I felt equally miserable when I quit heroin in 1985.
And there is absolutely no way I would have been able to quit smoking on my own.
It's one of the few good things that sprung from my long-term incarceration.
RJ - 3 weeks means you're over the hump, bro. You know how to do this. So do it. One thing that I remember was helpful was i kept one of those cheap Bic pens in my hands pretty much all day. I chewed on it, fiddled and diddled with it, but it helped occupy my head a little bit.
-
Thanks bro, I honestly feel the ole HP is giving me a pass on this one. I'm actually having a fairly easy time at this one. I think it's partly because unlike all the other habits which I was kinda forced into quitting on some level or another, this one I'm doing solely out of self care, a rarity in my past. So with each craving, I am gently reminding myself that I am worth doing this for. The perspective really helps.
Course, I have put on about ten pounds already, kinda rough quitting in a high end kitchen :lol
-
OK, I quit smoking cigarettes in 1996. The *only* reason I was able to put them down is because I was in prison and they banned all tobacco products in the MA Prison System starting on June 1, 1996.
If you don't mind my asking, was it that literal? Meaning, you could smoke on May 31, then bam, they took your supply at midnight, and you were done, cold turkey the next day?
(This is a sincere question and has nothing to do with you or your resolve, I'm just curious how they implement something like that).
-
Lonestar,
I don't know if this will help, but the only way I've ever found to not gain weight while quitting smoking is to get in forty-five minutes to an hour of extra cardio exercise per day...and it doesn't have to be strenuous. Just going for a forty five minute walk (just a tad slower than a brisk pace) after dinner, every day, does it for me. The extra cardio is great because it both kills craving and is time away from available snacks.
Then again, I don't work in a high end kitchen. :)
-
Extra cardio? You mean some cardio to begin with, right? :lol
I appreciate it, it's something Nem has been pressing on me to do as well, I've been thinking just a light jog in the morning to wake my ass up and get the blood pumping. I already am pretty active with working on my feet for ten plus hours a day.
-
:lol I know the feeling.
I've found it increasingly important for us...uuuu...men of a certain age, to get in some cardio though. I do some brisk walking in the morning (about 3 miles) followed by a short amount of yoga (ashtanga sun salutations) then a more leisurely walk at night after dinner makes all the difference in fending off weight gain.
Oh, and other less savory habits.
-
Clean from meth for over ten years.
Last pot smoked on 12/7/10 (I remember the date cause it was at the Wall during Comfortably Numb)
Last booze, and my official sobriety date- 5/28/11
I still attend regular 12 step meetings as well as a weekly chemical dependancy therapist. Best ride of my life for sure.
And tomorrow marks three weeks without a smoke. Just using the patch and my plethora of addiction knowledge, it's been a pretty easy ride so far. I honestly think the days leading up to my quit date were harder than the actual quitting.
I'm so proud of you! :-*
-
One of these days I'll quit drinking. I don't do it everyday but the probably is once I start I can't stop. I can't just have A drink. Many drinks must follow and therein lies the problem.
-
The first thing alcohol does to me is takes away my ability to stop, that is why one is too many and a thousand never enough.
-
The first thing alcohol does to me is takes away my ability to stop, that is why one is too many and a thousand never enough.
This is me to a 'T'. Exactly why I stopped......there is no 'off' switch, it is 'drink every ounce of alcohol in the county'. At this point (5 1/2 years with no alcohol) I don't really even think it'd be fun to drink knowing how my body would react and feel. I can safely say that the desire to drink is not there but I know that if I were to even take a sip it'd resurface with a vengence.....that's why I just don't do it.
-
The first thing alcohol does to me is takes away my ability to stop, that is why one is too many and a thousand never enough.
Therein lies my issue. Like right now I am fine. I'm not drinking because there is nothing in the house. If I were to have a 6 pack in front of me, I would finish it in a couple of hours and then have to walk across the street to get something else.
-
Congarts Lonestar. I quit smoking cigars using the nic gum and the step down to no gum was fairly easy. That has been 6 years. I used the site QUITNET during my quit. Some folks on the QUITNET site did not consider cigars as being addictive. Trust, me they are.
It is kind of strange how some folks can drink socially, but some folks cannot. My friends think it is unusual that I drink more than a case of beer at the beach on vacation and then drink nothing until the next beach vacation.
Keep up the good work and do not worry about the weight gain!
-
I can't kick any of my addictions or habits. Congrats to all who have more resolve than me.
-
The first thing alcohol does to me is takes away my ability to stop, that is why one is too many and a thousand never enough.
Therein lies my issue. Like right now I am fine. I'm not drinking because there is nothing in the house. If I were to have a 6 pack in front of me, I would finish it in a couple of hours and then have to walk across the street to get something else.
Have you ever considered just quitting forever?
-
The first thing alcohol does to me is takes away my ability to stop, that is why one is too many and a thousand never enough.
This is me to a 'T'. Exactly why I stopped......there is no 'off' switch, it is 'drink every ounce of alcohol in the county'. At this point (5 1/2 years with no alcohol) I don't really even think it'd be fun to drink knowing how my body would react and feel. I can safely say that the desire to drink is not there but I know that if I were to even take a sip it'd resurface with a vengence.....that's why I just don't do it.
I had this problem for a while. These days, I get to beer number 4 or 5 and it's like hitting brick wall. I lose all desire to continue drinking and it almost becomes a chore. I got pretty lucky in that regard. I'm not really sure why it panned out that way, but I can't complain. I think a big part of it is just my body getting older. Even though I am only 26, I can't do the things I did 5 years ago. Stay up later than 11? Pffft. Deal with a hangover? Fuck that noise.
-
The first thing alcohol does to me is takes away my ability to stop, that is why one is too many and a thousand never enough.
Therein lies my issue. Like right now I am fine. I'm not drinking because there is nothing in the house. If I were to have a 6 pack in front of me, I would finish it in a couple of hours and then have to walk across the street to get something else.
Have you ever considered just quitting forever?
Yes. I tried a couple of times. Both times I was good for about a month or so and then I had a craving. One turns into many and the wagon is departing without me.
-
The first thing alcohol does to me is takes away my ability to stop, that is why one is too many and a thousand never enough.
Therein lies my issue. Like right now I am fine. I'm not drinking because there is nothing in the house. If I were to have a 6 pack in front of me, I would finish it in a couple of hours and then have to walk across the street to get something else.
Have you ever considered just quitting forever?
Yes. I tried a couple of times. Both times I was good for about a month or so and then I had a craving. One turns into many and the wagon is departing without me.
Please always feel free to message me here or on FB if you ever want help or just need to talk about it.
-
The first thing alcohol does to me is takes away my ability to stop, that is why one is too many and a thousand never enough.
Therein lies my issue. Like right now I am fine. I'm not drinking because there is nothing in the house. If I were to have a 6 pack in front of me, I would finish it in a couple of hours and then have to walk across the street to get something else.
Have you ever considered just quitting forever?
Yes. I tried a couple of times. Both times I was good for about a month or so and then I had a craving. One turns into many and the wagon is departing without me.
Please always feel free to message me here or on FB if you ever want help or just need to talk about it.
Thanks, I appreciate that. I just might take you up on that offer sooner than later.
-
Just dawned on me yesterday in a conversation with my brother in law......this past June 28th was 6 years sober for me. It seems like ages.....and I know it's a lifelong battle but I honestly do not have the urge to drink...at all. I won't let my guard down but I feel good where I'm at with it.
-
:metal :metal :metal :metal
-
Coming up on a year of not smoking next month. Also trying to quit smoking another substance at the moment, though that's not technically considered addictive.
-
Congrats. The second one is easy. If you were able to avoid real smokes for a year, pot should be a cake walk.
-
I was lucky in that I quit before I ever really became a heavy smoker. At first it was tough being around my friends while they're smoking but I've gotten used to it.
-
Nice man, I'm at seven months smoke free today. Was a hell of a lot easier than other substances for sure.
-
I wish my brother would quit smoking cigs. I am not one to get on someones back or try to make them live life the way they don't want to, but since he moved in with me, I see for my own eyes just how much time he spends on the patio smoking cigs. At the end of the day, you really have to WANT to quit and no one but yourself can make you do that. I just wished he felt that way. My younger sister wanted to and quit cold turkey, she said it was actually very easy but she also went to the gym and transformed herself and I am proud of her for that.
-
Nice man, I'm at seven months smoke free today. Was a hell of a lot easier than other substances for sure.
:RJ:
Gotta get someone to yank that smoke outta your emot's mouth.
-
Nice man, I'm at seven months smoke free today. Was a hell of a lot easier than other substances for sure.
:RJ:
Gotta get someone to yank that smoke outta your emot's mouth.
He's vaping.... :p
-
Where do you all draw the line between :
i . Really enjoying the taste of a drink
ii. Addicted to it ?
I drink a lot of coffee and / or coca cola but If I want to I can go without it for long periods without having any noticeable effects ? But they're by far the drink i enjoy the most.
-
Where do you all draw the line between :
i . Really enjoying the taste of a drink
ii. Addicted to it ?
I drink a lot of coffee and / or coca cola but If I want to I can go without it for long periods without having any noticeable effects ? But they're by far the drink i enjoy the most.
Several criteria per the book, which are basically two types; abuse and dependency. I think the terms changed, but I'm not professionally using the DSM 5 yet. Dependency is self explanatory, where abuse is a bit grey. But abuse is beyond experimentation and use if that makes sense. It basically boils down to withdrawal symptoms if any, how it influences your relationships/career another, tolerance another, unsuccessful attempts to cut down usage and so on.
Many other folks here can better sum it up though in more sensible terms! :coolio
But the first would be use in moderation, so experimentation or use, and the second is dependence.
-
(edited because I cannot delete)
-
Pulling a necro thread to announce that I have one year without a fucking smoke. Fuck yeah me!!!! :metal :metal :metal :metal
-
:tup congrats, great job! keep it up
-
Congrats man!
I've been about a year and a half without the tobacco and about half a year without the green stuff and don't find myself particularly craving either. I think the pot was easier to kick because by the time I stopped it wasn't really making me feel good anymore, just anxious and depressed. So my most recent memories of it aren't really happy ones.
So if I can just lose weight I'll be down to my body running on caffeine being what's gonna kill me :lol
-
Nice RJ.
I will give you this answer, cause I'm not done smoking yet.
Kinda sounds like a cop out, but there is a lot of truth to it. When I was drinking, I thought about quitting many times, and tried and failed many times, but when I got out of the hospital over 20 months ago( :hat), I knew I was done. I didn't know how to live life sober, that's where the programs came in, but I knew I was done. Same thing with smoking, I think about quitting all the time, it's very high on my to do list, but in my heart of hearts, I know I'm not done yet. Make sense?
Good job.
-
Congrats man!
I've been about a year and a half without the tobacco and about half a year without the green stuff and don't find myself particularly craving either. I think the pot was easier to kick because by the time I stopped it wasn't really making me feel good anymore, just anxious and depressed. So my most recent memories of it aren't really happy ones.
So if I can just lose weight I'll be down to my body running on caffeine being what's gonna kill me :lol
That's the great thing about marijuana, its not a physical dependency so it's easy to stop if you put your mind to it, maybe a couple restless nights, but your body isn't going to fight you to give it up the way alcohol, caffiene, or heroin do to you.
-
Pulling a necro thread to announce that I have one year without a fucking smoke. Fuck yeah me!!!! :metal :metal :metal :metal
Good for you, bro.
On a previous topic.... It's strange that the last time I posted here, I mentioned my thoughts about quitting drinking. It's along the same lines of your past problem. There's no control for me to just say, "I can have one or two drinks and then stop." Right around Xmas time, I went through three bottles of whisky and a 3 liter bottle of wine within a couple of weeks. So, that's concerning. I feel like I have so much going on in my life right now that taking on something else challenging would not help. It's a thought process right now.
-
Pulling a necro thread to announce that I have one year without a fucking smoke. Fuck yeah me!!!! :metal :metal :metal :metal
Congrats :RJ:, I already have more respect for you than half of my friends, and I don't even know you.
-
Awesome Arj, that's really good to hear. I totally forgot about this thread, I suppose a post is in order since I'm 4 months sober. I picked up smoking cigs the SECOND I knew I was going to have to quit drinking. Luckily I abhor them so I never developed any dependency but I was worried about it. Then I gained about 15 pounds because usually my meals would be a few bottles of wine and for some reason weed never gave me any kind of munchies so I gained a bit of weight but I'd rather get fat and work it off than stumble.
Anyway, stay strong dudes. I can say that I'm still alive because I'm not drinking anymore.
Gotta say, I'd love to be able to toke it up now and again but I know that if I get high enough I'll say "maybe a drink would be fine" and then I'm fucked. Thus, it's the edge of straightness for me! I'd rather be alive.
-
Nice RJ.
I will give you this answer, cause I'm not done smoking yet.
Kinda sounds like a cop out, but there is a lot of truth to it. When I was drinking, I thought about quitting many times, and tried and failed many times, but when I got out of the hospital over 20 months ago( :hat), I knew I was done. I didn't know how to live life sober, that's where the programs came in, but I knew I was done. Same thing with smoking, I think about quitting all the time, it's very high on my to do list, but in my heart of hearts, I know I'm not done yet. Make sense?
Good job.
Funny you bring up that quote. In December, 2013, a good friend of mine who shared many of my habits had a stroke, and ended up paralyzed on the left side of his body. I knew at that moment I was done smoking, and within minutes of getting the call I set my quit date at January 6, 2014. In other words, I was done, and I knew I didn't have another smoke in me.
-
I set a 'quit date' as well when I cold turkeyed smokes and chew.....it was August 1st, 2002. At the time it gave me about three months of binge smoking/chewing to get my fill.
-
I set a quit time at 9am, and I probably smoked three packs in the previous day.
-
Bought an espresso-machine. Pretty addictive! :hefdaddy
-
Bought an espresso-machine. Pretty addictive! :hefdaddy
Same with my new keurig I got for Christmas, need caffeine
-
I set a quit time at 9am, and I probably smoked three packs in the previous day.
My parents smoked 3 and 2 packs a day. My mom passed away from lung cancer at age 64. She stopped a little to late in life.
-
Bought an espresso-machine. Pretty addictive! :hefdaddy
Same with my new keurig I got for Christmas, need caffeine
What do you think of it? I went through a couple of the machines but then lost interest. Personally, I was never overly fond of the taste.
-
Bought an espresso-machine. Pretty addictive! :hefdaddy
Same with my new keurig I got for Christmas, need caffeine
What do you think of it? I went through a couple of the machines but then lost interest. Personally, I was never overly fond of the taste.
I don't mind it. It's not going to be as good as a fresh brew, but it's quick and easy. I have one in my office at work which is what inspired me to get one for home. I personally like the Starbucks dark roasts. I'm also not a coffee enthusiast, just need my caffeine fix and since I gave up soda for the most part, this is how I get it.
-
Bought an espresso-machine. Pretty addictive! :hefdaddy
Same with my new keurig I got for Christmas, need caffeine
What do you think of it? I went through a couple of the machines but then lost interest. Personally, I was never overly fond of the taste.
I don't mind it. It's not going to be as good as a fresh brew, but it's quick and easy. I have one in my office at work which is what inspired me to get one for home. I personally like the Starbucks dark roasts. I'm also not a coffee enthusiast, just need my caffeine fix and since I gave up soda for the most part, this is how I get it.
The fix is real! The convenience is what is best about those machines, so they'll be around for a long time. Companies will always be looking for ways to improve them, so that's a benefit. A word of advice, if you're on the Staten Island Ferry, never drink it black. It always tastes burned so add lots of milk and sugar. I'll pay the extra cents and get it from Starbucks instead.
-
My biggest problem with my Kuerig is its size. I need a 24oz coffee in the morning. I have to run the machine like four times and it takes forever.
-
They make the standard ones up to 12oz. The newer ones are even better. You can make a carafe of coffee with one pod. How glorious.
-
My biggest problem with my Kuerig is its size. I need a 24oz coffee in the morning. I have to run the machine like four times and it takes forever.
I actually have this problem too. My Keurig has three size settings, but the largest size doesn't even fill my coffee cup. I mean, it's enough coffee for me, but I would of thought the largest size would produce a lot more coffee.
-
I smoked a pack a day for 12 years. I gave it up in 88 so it’s been awhile. It was very hard to quit. I did it cold turkey and after 3 or 4 failed attempts I finally made it stick. My advice is don’t take no for an answer. Endure the pain for a few weeks and eventually you will start feeling free from it. Take each day you go to bed smoke free as a victory and draw from it. Think about the prize…Being smoke free is an amazing feeling and a great accomplishment for you! I truly wish you the best. Please keep going, don’t make the past week one of agony for nothing.
-
I've had some pretty serious problems with drinking and drugs in the past. Funny enough, since April I have had exactly two beers, each on separate nights, maybe in October and November. It never went beyond that, and I felt no need to drink during any holiday gatherings. I didn't drink at New Years, nor did I drink with my brother and sister-in-law last night while I was around them. I could have, but I didn't want to, so I didn't.
This is coming from someone who once didn't think it was possible for her to drink without spiralling out of control. For sure there have been times when this has happened. For example when I was homeless I tried to just drink a beer to ease the pain, and ended up doing hard drugs again by the end of the week. But nowadays there's no reason, and part of me wonders if this is because I've dealt with all the underlying causes, or I've just gotten lucky every time I drank.
I think probably a series of DT songs had once given me the impression I needed the 12 steps. I'm glad they work for Mike Portnoy, but I personally don't like them at all.
-
I've had some pretty serious problems with drinking and drugs in the past. Funny enough, since April I have had exactly two beers, each on separate nights, maybe in October and November. It never went beyond that, and I felt no need to drink during any holiday gatherings. I didn't drink at New Years, nor did I drink with my brother and sister-in-law last night while I was around them. I could have, but I didn't want to, so I didn't.
This is coming from someone who once didn't think it was possible for her to drink without spiralling out of control. For sure there have been times when this has happened. For example when I was homeless I tried to just drink a beer to ease the pain, and ended up doing hard drugs again by the end of the week. But nowadays there's no reason, and part of me wonders if this is because I've dealt with all the underlying causes, or I've just gotten lucky every time I drank.
I think probably a series of DT songs had once given me the impression I needed the 12 steps. I'm glad they work for Mike Portnoy, but I personally don't like them at all.
Your thought process involving drinking is aligned with mine. I feel like it's completely random for me. A couple of weeks ago I went through three bottles of whisky and a 3 liter bottle of wine. But since then I haven't had anything at all, though I could have. I don't understand what causes the complete dependence one week, and the following week I pass up every chance to have it. When I was living in my car for a few days, I did nothing but drink cheap beer just so I could hope to pass out and sleep through it all.
I think it means we have it under control, but sometimes we just want that numbness. Twelve steps would never work for me either. It's not lack of control. It's more I don't always want to have control. Does that make sense?
-
Yes, it totally makes sense, but I think there is probably a reason why you don't always want control, and dealing with that reason, whatever it is, is probably the easiest way of making sure your life never spins out of control. It might be that whatever issue you are facing is way more manageable than you believe it is. Certainly, drinking is never going to solve what is making you want to lose control. Something else might.
-
Yes, it totally makes sense, but I think there is probably a reason why you don't always want control, and dealing with that reason, whatever it is, is probably the easiest way of making sure your life never spins out of control. It might be that whatever issue you are facing is way more manageable than you believe it is. Certainly, drinking is never going to solve what is making you want to lose control. Something else might.
Ironically enough drinking is not the solution. :neverusethis:
I get what you're saying though, regarding drinking solving any kind of problem. I think that I sometimes want to be depraved and indulge in something that is bad for me just to experience it. There really isn't much I haven't experienced in my life and sometimes there are things I want to do over and over because I like how they make me feel.
-
Everyone has their own rationalizations, but it'd behoove anyone who has any kind of control issues to look long and hard at it, even if it is on and off. I'd like to point out that what you two both outlined is exactly how it started for me and over a long period of time snowballed until I was forced to look at it and accept it. Now, hopefully neither of you are sensitive enough to think I'm saying "YOU'VE GOT ISSUES", I'm not. Nor do I mean to sound like I'm preaching, I'm just pointing out that those posts are almost identical in every word to what I said to myself before the long fall. Just something I noticed is all.
Even after relapsing months ago after a year or so sobriety, I did the exact same thing. I had a few drinks, was proud of myself for controlling it...and then didn't drink at all for weeks. Then out of the blue had another bout of utter insanity and once again more or less died. The fact you can turn it off doesn't mean anything, is my point in saying all of this; in that same way, it means nothing. I restate that because 'it means nothing' could be taken as 'it means nothing because there's an issue', but it also could simply be that 'it means nothing because there isn't an issue'. I mean the neutral version because I don't know either of you. That is in fact the very scary thing about slopes. They eventually get slippery and you can never ever know for sure until you slip.
Just a couple thoughts! Quite frankly, the fact you're talking about it at all is probably a sign that you're good considering that I did nothing but deny and irrationally rationalize until I was bleeding out, both metaphorically and literally. :lol :| Gotta laugh at it now and again. Serious issues get too serious and then everyone is all :| and I don't like to be all :| all the time. Either way, stay safe doods n doodettes. :heart
-
I wonder sometimes if the high prevalence of addiction in the United States, relative to many other countries, doesn't come from our repressed, Puritan roots, and the all-or-nothing belief system that these roots tend to engender in people.
-
I wonder sometimes if the high prevalence of addiction in the United States, relative to many other countries, doesn't come from our repressed, Puritan roots, and the all-or-nothing belief system that these roots tend to engender in people.
Using that opinion in relation to myself as a microcosm, my parents were really strict when I was growing up. However, once that freedom came I was doing everything under the sun to make up for lost time. It's undoubtedly possible that the repressed curiosities of the population was turned loose and indulgence was the new abstinence.
-
Three years smoke free suckahs!!!
-
Three years smoke free suckahs!!!
:hat
Wait, wut?
:lonestar:
Good on ya bro.
-
I'm addicted to Chipotle and I see no end in sight.
-
I wonder sometimes if the high prevalence of addiction in the United States, relative to many other countries, doesn't come from our repressed, Puritan roots, and the all-or-nothing belief system that these roots tend to engender in people.
I don't know if that is the exact cause but I have some pretty specific and in-depth theories with respect to this idea. It's still just my opinion, but I have a firm belief that the mass shootings and what not are driven by some very specific causes, and not at all unlike the motivations that drive the quintessential terrorists we see acting across the world. Our addictions are not random, they're not just from "human nature", they're driven by SOMETHING. I think it's all related; the advent of reality TV and social media - and by this I mean the prevailing need by people that are not bringing a lot to the table to "self-justify" themselves in the oddest of ways - they are all related. I believe the same frustrations that drive people to shoot large numbers of people, or involve in religious extremism, or to the level of substance abuses we're seeing today, or the level of forced social interactions that don't actually require any one-on-one personal interaction, are all rooted in the same thing.
My opinion only.
-
I'm addicted to Chipotle and I see no end in sight.
You will if they have another ecoli breakout. That hurt there business dramatically in Connecticut.
-
I wonder sometimes if the high prevalence of addiction in the United States, relative to many other countries, doesn't come from our repressed, Puritan roots, and the all-or-nothing belief system that these roots tend to engender in people.
I don't know if that is the exact cause but I have some pretty specific and in-depth theories with respect to this idea. It's still just my opinion, but I have a firm belief that the mass shootings and what not are driven by some very specific causes, and not at all unlike the motivations that drive the quintessential terrorists we see acting across the world. Our addictions are not random, they're not just from "human nature", they're driven by SOMETHING. I think it's all related; the advent of reality TV and social media - and by this I mean the prevailing need by people that are not bringing a lot to the table to "self-justify" themselves in the oddest of ways - they are all related. I believe the same frustrations that drive people to shoot large numbers of people, or involve in religious extremism, or to the level of substance abuses we're seeing today, or the level of forced social interactions that don't actually require any one-on-one personal interaction, are all rooted in the same thing.
My opinion only.
Interesting theory, related to what I've thought. Here's mine.... America, especially since after the fifties, has become a quick fix culture. We've run out of patience to let things develop and grow in a natural manner. Depressed? Got a pill for that... Sick? Just take some of these and you'll be better in no time... But there are some things that just can't be quick fixed. Think of the Rush song Subdivisions, the disconnect and disillusionment that they talk about. That is a growing thing as we grow as a culture. We come up with the advancements, but no way for society to grow with the advancements. We are technologically superior, but spiritually stagnant. But hey, a few drinks and it's ok. Just get high, and mellow out. Getting behind? Here do a line of this and you'll catch up in no time. Once a chemical solution for a spiritual problem becomes acceptable, it's just a matter of time before the body, and not just the mind, becomes dependent on it. The number one thing I hear from drunks and their stories is that sense of disconnect, that they weren't given the book of rules that allowed them to fit into life, and that once they started drinking, they found the answers to questions they hadn't even asked. They finally were a part of.
Just what I've gotten from spending vast amounts of time with alcoholics and addicts.
-
I wonder sometimes if the high prevalence of addiction in the United States, relative to many other countries, doesn't come from our repressed, Puritan roots, and the all-or-nothing belief system that these roots tend to engender in people.
I don't know if that is the exact cause but I have some pretty specific and in-depth theories with respect to this idea. It's still just my opinion, but I have a firm belief that the mass shootings and what not are driven by some very specific causes, and not at all unlike the motivations that drive the quintessential terrorists we see acting across the world. Our addictions are not random, they're not just from "human nature", they're driven by SOMETHING. I think it's all related; the advent of reality TV and social media - and by this I mean the prevailing need by people that are not bringing a lot to the table to "self-justify" themselves in the oddest of ways - they are all related. I believe the same frustrations that drive people to shoot large numbers of people, or involve in religious extremism, or to the level of substance abuses we're seeing today, or the level of forced social interactions that don't actually require any one-on-one personal interaction, are all rooted in the same thing.
My opinion only.
Interesting theory, related to what I've thought. Here's mine.... America, especially since after the fifties, has become a quick fix culture. We've run out of patience to let things develop and grow in a natural manner. Depressed? Got a pill for that... Sick? Just take some of these and you'll be better in no time... But there are some things that just can't be quick fixed. Think of the Rush song Subdivisions, the disconnect and disillusionment that they talk about. That is a growing thing as we grow as a culture. We come up with the advancements, but no way for society to grow with the advancements. We are technologically superior, but spiritually stagnant. But hey, a few drinks and it's ok. Just get high, and mellow out. Getting behind? Here do a line of this and you'll catch up in no time. Once a chemical solution for a spiritual problem becomes acceptable, it's just a matter of time before the body, and not just the mind, becomes dependent on it. The number one thing I hear from drunks and their stories is that sense of disconnect, that they weren't given the book of rules that allowed them to fit into life, and that once they started drinking, they found the answers to questions they hadn't even asked. They finally were a part of.
Just what I've gotten from spending vast amounts of time with alcoholics and addicts.
I like a lot of that. I would add - or maybe clarify? - that for me, in my theory, the "disconnect" is a profound frustration that the world - the country, the economy, the hipsters - are "passing me by". I'm not as rich as Trump/Gates/the real Housewives of Beverly Hills, I'm not as good looking as the Kardashians/Vicky Secret models/the Wahlbergs, I'm not as funny as Fallon/Kimmel/Colbert, I'm not as in touch with my sexuality as the hot gay couples on Supergirl/How To Get Away With Murder/Sensate.. add to that the quippy, snarky, sarcastic nature of most of our debate these days and you have a profound lack of ability to deal.
You see this a lot in our new vernacular; we talk about our JOURNEY. We can't face the outcome - especially when it's not a win, so let's resort to the JOURNEY. I've been watching a lot of TV lately because of the cold and if I hear someone on some dipshit reality show say "it just got REAL!" one more time, I'm going to puke. EVERY MOMENT is real, and you don't get to reset by all of a sudden saying "oh, NOW it counts". So we separate. Cosplay. Video games. Intoxication.
-
That disconnect is so real man... One of my favorite AA speakers likes to say that we spend all our time competing, comparing ourselves to others. And if I'm always feeling less than or better than, I'll never be a part of.
-
^^^ I like that a lot. I'm stealing that.
-
Yeah...it's a life motto for me at this point. Every time I start to separate from all of you, and feel like I'm such a special unique person who nobody will understand or connect with, I stick to that one like glue. One thing that unites all alcoholics and addicts is our sense of terminal uniqueness... :lol
-
Three years smoke free suckahs!!!
Nice. :clap:
I myself changed for an electronic cigarette about 4 months back and haven't tocuhed a regular cigarette since. As soon as I'm out of coils for this one I'll quit for good. It's been an easier transition than I thought it would be, and with this electronic one I've been reducing the nicotine level and now I don't have that urge I used to feel. I hope it lasts
-
If something is done in moderation, is it still an addiction?
-
That depends really, I think it's an addiction if you can't go without.
-
"Moderation" implies a level of control
"Addiction" implies a level of surrender of control
-
If something is done in moderation, is it still an addiction?
I would say that addicts have no ability to moderate. But then again, that's just coming from my own experience with alcohol/pot use.
-
I've probably somewhere in the recent past crossed the line from 'moderate' to 'excessive' use of marijuana. For lots of reasons. I recognize it's a bit of a problem (mainly financially, that's it), but it's the only way I've found to ease my mind off the other problems in my life. I don't act much different sober, or when I'm out of green, other than being anxious about not being able to relax when my anxiety kicks into overdrive. Been weighing the pros/cons for a while. Would like to stop, ideally. Just can't seem to. Old habits die hard I suppose. Guess I'll keep smoking. Predictable conclusion, eh? :) Hm...
-
If something is done in moderation, is it still an addiction?
Can be.
-
From my experience, addiction implies the individual's lack of ability or power to moderate usage. Even step one, the only one we have to perfectly, says we admit powerlessness.
-
^ That. But to go just off of what Loney said and leave it at that is shortsighted.
If you have to question anything about your usage in any serious manner, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that "moderation" is either a stretch or a delusion. More often than not it's the latter given the huge range of what that word can mean to people. "Moderate" to one person is "bender" to another and visa versa.
I mean shit, you can do something once or twice a month and have issues. There's this perfect, clearly drawn line that people seem to want to envision when discussing things like addiction and that shit doesn't exist. If you "moderately" drink, but those two times a month you go through eight bottles of bourbon, you've probably got a problem. That's kind of the entire point of there being the ever popular term of a "functioning addict". There are vastly different circumstances, health factors and personality/psychological aspects to consider that every single person's issue with any substance is going to be singular.
So from my own perspective, the word "moderate" doesn't relate to the issue of addiction because it's such a vague and quite frankly bullshit term that used ever so often to mask the issue as opposed to actually help define it. This next statement is not always true, but for most that are questioning their possible addiction I'd lean towards it being more true than not: If you have to question whether you have a problem, chances are you do; and it absolutely wouldn't hurt to delve deeper into that questioning even if you don't.
-
Totally agree man, we like to say in the rooms that non alcoholic people never wonder if they have a problem. I'd also like to add that the term "functioning addict/alcoholic" is probably one of the worst concepts to come out of addiction circles. Yeah, maybe Bob is a "functioning" alcoholic, still runs a successful legal practice, pays all his bills and hasn't paid any real consequences, and maybe the fact that we all see him as "functioning" is what prevents him from seeing he has a problem. The material things serve as the yardstick for his mental well being. But it has been shown again and again that this is a disease of progression, it'll only get worse, and that functioning label only guarantees that it will. So instead of seeking help when his wife calls him out on it, or when his doctor says hes got some early liver issues, he will continue in his drinking till some real damage gets done, when he kills someone else or himself.
-
Oh for sure, "functioning-whatever" is a load of horse shit and probably one of the most damaging labels a person can give themselves even regarding all the rationalizations and delusions of moderation.
-
But then again, this borders on the "to a hammer, everything is a nail" type reasoning. Just because someone says "Oh, I don't have a problem!" doesn't mean they are in denial. Some people CAN moderate, and when they say "I'm in control", they really are.
-
Maybe, but seeing themselves in control and having your family/friends being secure that your in control are two vastly different things. If one's wife/gf/mother/etc comes up and says "I'm really concerned about your drinking", that in itself is proof there are negative consequences going on with your drinking. As to addiction, there's really no moderation when it comes to meth/heroin/coke/etc, they by nature are binge drugs. It's really hard to sell the idea of social meth use...
-
I use the term functioning alcoholic a lot because it describes my boss and moreso his boss well enough when I talk about work to my friends. I really don't know how they do it, but I know my boss knows he's an alcoholic, there's no denial, but I don't think he sees am issue with it, and maybe that's cause he and his life are overall in decent shape.
-
It's really hard to sell the idea of social meth use...
Genuinely lol'd at this
I use the term functioning alcoholic a lot because it describes my boss and moreso his boss well enough when I talk about work to my friends. I really don't know how they do it, but I know my boss knows he's an alcoholic, there's no denial, but I don't think he sees am issue with it, and maybe that's cause he and his life are overall in decent shape....
for now
Updated.
What's the difference between a regular drinker, and an alcoholic? Serious question here. I'm not personally worried ... I'll go weeks without a drop, and then have 2 fingers of scotch for 5 days straight - just because. But for the guy that has a few beers pretty much every day (King), or the guy that has to get drunk every Thursday (Coz)... where's the line between heavy drinking and alcoholism?
Not a shot or insinuation at either King or Coz, just something as a frame of reference.
-
Yea, the "for now" part I always wonder about. There's certainly raging alcoholics out there that never have it catch up to them for whatever reason. I think that's a small amount of them, and not a statistic to bank on at all, but it is possible.
As for the "what makes a difference" question, I don't know if I know that answer, but I would guess it has to do with how your addiction starts to impact others.
-
But then again, this borders on the "to a hammer, everything is a nail" type reasoning. Just because someone says "Oh, I don't have a problem!" doesn't mean they are in denial. Some people CAN moderate, and when they say "I'm in control", they really are.
Right, that's why I said "most" and not "all". Of course there are exceptions. Surely there's a clear difference between someone saying that once to a question after an actual once in a blue moon out of hand party or random binge and the guy who hides it and is constantly asked about it and his new mantra becomes "I don't have a problem".
It's really hard to sell the idea of social meth use...
Genuinely lol'd at this
I use the term functioning alcoholic a lot because it describes my boss and moreso his boss well enough when I talk about work to my friends. I really don't know how they do it, but I know my boss knows he's an alcoholic, there's no denial, but I don't think he sees am issue with it, and maybe that's cause he and his life are overall in decent shape....
for now
Updated.
What's the difference between a regular drinker, and an alcoholic? Serious question here. I'm not personally worried ... I'll go weeks without a drop, and then have 2 fingers of scotch for 5 days straight - just because. But for the guy that has a few beers pretty much every day (King), or the guy that has to get drunk every Thursday (Coz)... where's the line between heavy drinking and alcoholism?
Not a shot or insinuation at either King or Coz, just something as a frame of reference.
I think what you just said is the difference. An actual restrained and moderated use. There's also the usual definition of not being able to control yourself or envision yourself having "just a couple" and actually doing it as opposed to saying that every time and then getting sloshed every time without "meaning to", if that makes sense. You can be a heavy drinker or a regular drinker and not be an alcoholic but an alcoholic is (almost; again, singular situations and exceptions) always a regular heavy drinker. I get a pretty good reminder that is not quite so anecdotal on top of that given that I work in an extremely popular bar that's smack dab in the middle of a higher income area. So there's tons of people who come in (and who work there) who have all these stories of multiple DUI/DWI's and accidents and horrific situations that still seem to think they're totally fine and in control.
-
It's really hard to sell the idea of social meth use...
Genuinely lol'd at this
I use the term functioning alcoholic a lot because it describes my boss and moreso his boss well enough when I talk about work to my friends. I really don't know how they do it, but I know my boss knows he's an alcoholic, there's no denial, but I don't think he sees am issue with it, and maybe that's cause he and his life are overall in decent shape....
for now
Updated.
What's the difference between a regular drinker, and an alcoholic? Serious question here. I'm not personally worried ... I'll go weeks without a drop, and then have 2 fingers of scotch for 5 days straight - just because. But for the guy that has a few beers pretty much every day (King), or the guy that has to get drunk every Thursday (Coz)... where's the line between heavy drinking and alcoholism?
Not a shot or insinuation at either King or Coz, just something as a frame of reference.
Falling as I do closer to King and Coz than Jingle, I think it's a fair question, but I also know that my wife comes from a relationship that was clearly alcoholic and clearly abusive. So it's an issue in our family, and one to which she's hyper sensitive. There are a LOT of ground rules - some explicit, many implicit, and in several cases self-imposed by me - around my drinking. I still am not convinced that experiencing the effects of alcohol is necessarily the criterion for being subject to "alcoholism". I feel like someone can, on occasion, want to feel 'drunk' without being 'an alcoholic'. Maybe that flies in the face of the prevailing opinion of professionals in the business, but...
-
What makes an alcoholic?.....
You know that moment when you're drinking, and you get two or three into it, and you hit that level where you're just right? You slow down, or stop altogether, and keep that mellowness through the night?
I don't. I have never hit that moment, for me, when it hits my system I get an unsatiable craving for more and more until I either pass out or get arrested.
Being an alcoholic is a very personal definition, and everyone has a different bottom before they commit to the term. For me it's a three fold illness. I have an allergy of the body, the craving I spoke of above, where that point of "I'm good" never happens. I have an obsession of the mind, which when I'm not drinking, I compusively obsess about my next drink, to the point where I push the events of the last drunk (and the connected repurcussions and consequences) out of my head in favor of the promise of the sense of ease and comfort that the drink will instill in me. Thirdly, I have a sickness of the soul, a deep yearning for connection, a sense of terminal uniqueness that creates the mental obsession. No matter the amount of time I have sober, the groundwork for all three of these lies in me. That is to me what being an alcoholic means.
-
Got together with some close buddies recently and we were watching old videos of some camping/hunting trips we'd been on. We usually go on one or two a year and I usually film large portions of them so when we're old and grey we can watch them. Anyway...
we were watching a video from a fall hunting trip in 2008 and in the video it was mentioned of my 'recent' quitting of drinking. I thought to myself when I saw this....I thought I stopped in 2009?? A few more conversations were heard in the video that made me realize I indeed stopped drinking in June of 2008....not June of 2009 like I've believed for the past few years.
when I stopped drinking then...I didn't really believe that'd be my last time drinking so I didn't memorialize the date. I knew it was a the day after a gold tournament I had played in and drank all day but years later when I tried to figure it out when I actually stopped drinking I wrongly assumed it was 2009 since I had some hardware from that tournament.
So...it turns out these last few years that I've been 'robbing' myself of a year of sobriety. I asked my wife if it'd be cool....since I've basically had a lost year of drinking....if I could just go on a few month bender and she said absolutely not :lol I'm only joking as I wouldn't do it anyway....but, the recent discovery of my 'true' quit date/year means I'm approaching ten years sober :omg: wow! Never would have dreamed that but this June it'll come true.
-
I got mine tattoo'd on me, no chance of ever forgetting or being mistaken about it. :lol
-
I got mine tattoo'd on me, no chance of ever forgetting or being mistaken about it. :lol
Prior to that time I had stopped for a year once, and ten months after that.....so I guess I just didn’t ‘believe’ that was truly ‘the last’ time so I didn’t commit it to memory or place any importance on the date. Wish I would have.
All I know it was in June....the last week becaus that’s the traditional time of this annual golf
Tournament I play in. I’m thinking it was the 29th of June but it’s not 100% certain.
-
And the missus doesn't remember? Fuck, mrs.jingle doesn't forget a damned thing.
-
And the missus doesn't remember? Fuck, mrs.jingle doesn't forget a damned thing.
She was just happy and thankful I quit. And, I'm sure deep down she wasn't convinced I had really stopped also. Like I said....I had 'stopped' a couple times to prove I could if I wanted to....only to reward myself after stopping for whatever amount of time I said I would with months of binge drinking and out of control behavior.
I'm kind of glad I don't really remember the exact date because that's not really important to me. What's important to me is the fact that at this point in time I don't even think about drinking....which is a big step for me. My drinking was less about having to drink and more about dulling and blocking the emotions and memories of being sexually abused when I was 9.
I ran from confronting that for a LONG time and sobering up pushed me to really deal with it. Having now had a great experience with therapy and talking/working through it all....I don't wrestle with that shame and guilt that was tearing me apart so I don't feel the urge to drink to erase it all. I'm sure each alcoholics experience is different.....maybe some just crave the actual alcohol but for me it was less about the alcohol itself and more about how the alcohol got rid of those emotions. Now that the abuse and effects of it don't control me.....i really haven't had a need for drinking.
anyway....
-
Gary, I understand it's not my place, it's not my burden, and I respect that others might want to or even have to see it differently, but I kind of find your approach refreshing. Your story sounds less about a "date", than it does about a significant lifestyle change. What good is that date if you have one, three, five, however many transgressions in between? You seem like you set your mind to a change, made it, and held to it, to your betterment. Honestly, if it really was about the underlying cause - and don't read that broadly, I'm not implying it's not - the date you first walked into therapy to deal with it head on is probably just as valid a date.
I get that talismans are important to us as humans, but I think we sometimes let the talisman overwhelm what's really important, and that's the underlying cause and effect on our lives (and those of our loved ones).
-
the date you first walked into therapy to deal with it head on is probably just as valid a date.
completely agree Bill. The decision to 'deal' with what happened to me as a kid is WAY more significant to me than when I chose to quit drinking. Had I not done that I wouldn't be coming up on 10 years sober.
-
The date is important to me but it's vastly more important to the guy coming into a meeting with two or three days sober. We talk about our sobriety length to show the newcomer that long term, contented sobriety is possible.
-
This kind of addiction my be sacrilege when compared to some of life's more serious habits, but I hit a huge milestone today. I've been hardcore addicted to afrin for the better part of six years now. I can't get through the night without having to clear my nose out at least once, and during the day, I'm lucky to make it four or five hours without needing a spray. I'd buy the 3-packs from Costco and go through all of the bottles in about a week's time.
After consulting with an allergist and an ear, nose, and throat specialist, I've been put on a steroid regimen alongside two other non-afrin nasal sprays. I've been at it a week now, and in the last 36 hours I've only used afrin one time, and for the first time in nearly six years, I've gone a full 24 hours without using any afrin. :metal
-
That's good news Brian. :tup I think anytime anyone can overcome a reliance on a drug....no matter what drug.....is a reason to celebrate.
Have you ever consulted for a sinus surgery? I know my Father in law had severe sinus/nasal issues and he had a surgery a few years back and it seems to have helped him immensely. But I guess it all depends on 'what' the problem is?
-
Congrats Chino. I heard that if you use Afrin too much your body will become dependent on it and won't be able to clear the nasal passages naturally.
-
Jeeze. I remember getting Afrin a couple years ago and the doc warned me not to use it more than like, a few times in a short span, or use it for multiple days in a row because it would raise my blood pressure something fierce. Good on you Chino.
-
I had no idea this was a thing but good for you to get the help and find a way off it.
-
I opened this thread 7 year ago (wow) when I had stopped smoking and fucked that up pretty quickly. I've been in a relationship for over two years now and almost since the start my girlfriend bugged me about smoking. Last year we went on a trip to Europe and I bought an electronic cigarette and started alternating between real cigarettes and the electronic one. A couple months back I stopped smoking real cigarettes all together and went on with the electronic one only, progressively :neverusethis: reducing the nicotine dose. Three weeks back I gave my electronic cigarette to a friend who wants to quit smoking and wants to go the same route I did.
I still get some craving for smoking when I drink but for the most part I think stopping gradually the way I did really helped me get rid of the nicotine need I had the last couple of times I stopped smoking. Hopefully this time it will be for good.
-
Good on ya pal! Better breath, and a fatter wallet will surely ensue. :lol
-
Nice man, quitting cigs was one of my better life decisions, especially since they're almost 10$ a pack now. 3 years and counting and I barely get cravings anymore.
-
My brother was a big smoker and had gotten off it and back on a few times. He met a girl almost a year ago and shortly after slowed down significantly for her. He uses the JUUL vapes now and has given up the cigs pretty much. I don't think he's gotten off the nicotine, but I think he's been getting better. My younger sister's husband gave up the cigarettes for the JUUL as well, but he also uses it so much that I'm not sure it's much better.
-
Yeah, I get more money to spend on coffee and food now :lol
-
16 years ago today I quit nicotine. I was a double consumee.....chewed tobacco and smoke cigs. On my birthday that year...January 26th...I realized that I had been chewing tobacco since I was 14, smoking since 16 and that I had a solid 10 years of tobacco use under my belt.
I told myself that on August 1st that I'd quit. August 1st of that year was going to be the year anniversary of me getting bit by a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and nearly dying.....so I set that as my quit date. I spent the next 6 months just hammering away on tobacco...knowing I was done on the 1st.
I firmly remember as midnight approached on July 31st I had a dip in the bottom lip and was chain smoking my KOOL Menthols. Right before midnight I took a last drag of the cig.....worked up a good 'spit' from the chew and then took it out and that was that.
To those of you who are trying to stop or have recently stopped.....stick with it. It IS possible to kick the habit and you will love yourself for it. Good Luck! :tup
-
Saw my dentist yesterday and he and his assistant told me my gums and teeth are healthier. Guess thats what happens when you quit smoking (again).
-
16 years ago today I quit nicotine. I was a double consumee.....chewed tobacco and smoke cigs. On my birthday that year...January 26th...I realized that I had been chewing tobacco since I was 14, smoking since 16 and that I had a solid 10 years of tobacco use under my belt.
I told myself that on August 1st that I'd quit. August 1st of that year was going to be the year anniversary of me getting bit by a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and nearly dying.....so I set that as my quit date. I spent the next 6 months just hammering away on tobacco...knowing I was done on the 1st.
I firmly remember as midnight approached on July 31st I had a dip in the bottom lip and was chain smoking my KOOL Menthols. Right before midnight I took a last drag of the cig.....worked up a good 'spit' from the chew and then took it out and that was that.
To those of you who are trying to stop or have recently stopped.....stick with it. It IS possible to kick the habit and you will love yourself for it. Good Luck! :tup
Holy fuck dude... that's a helluva way to A) double dip on that nicotine habit (pun fully intended), and B) KICK that habit.
-
I can’t even picture Gary smoking.
-
I was a dumbass and made an offhand comment to my insurance agent about how I smoked cigars a couple times, a couple years ago. Like, literally a couple times. My monthly payments for life insurance shot up $7 because of that. :facepalm:
Congrats on ditching the cigs, ya'll.
-
I can’t even picture Gary smoking.
My 'primary' choice was chewing tobacco. KODIAK Wintergreen....good lord the smell of it now sends my body into convulsions. :lol The cigs started off as a social deal when I was younger as I'm sure that's how a lot of us started....then later when holding a ton of restaurant jobs the cigs were just 'easier' to do on the job than chewing, especially when waiting tables. The last few years of smoking I switched to KOOL Menthols because no one would want to bum a Menthol :lol But I was close to a pack a day habit there at the end....on top of the chew.
Holy fuck dude... that's a helluva way to A) double dip on that nicotine habit (pun fully intended), and B) KICK that habit.
The cold Turkey method worked for me personally....but that's just kind of the way I am. All or nothing. The side effect was I put on a solid 25-30 lbs over the subsequent 6-10 months because I was eating a TON!! I recall specifically being hooked on Hush Puppies from Long John Silver's.
-
I quit 3 1/2 years ago after nearly 30 years of smoking, best life choice I ever made.
-
Congrats Gary :smiley:
-
If there's one thing I have no control over, its junk food. Which is why I don't keep it in the house. An entire bag of oreos or carton of ice cream can easily be gone in one sitting.
Also, I am bad with boredom eating. But I am glad I stopped keeping junkfood around the house.
-
If there's one thing I have no control over, its junk food. Which is why I don't keep it in the house. An entire bag of oreos or carton of ice cream can easily be gone in one sitting.
Also, I am bad with boredom eating. But I am glad I stopped keeping junkfood around the house.
This is me. If I don't buy it then I don't have a problem but when my gf brings home some chips or something like that it'll be gone same day.
-
8 years :RJ:
-
Congrats man! :metal
-
8 years :RJ:
Awesome RJ! :clap:
-
Congrats Chef!
-
8 years :RJ:
And everyone here is so thankful for it. Much love to and for you bro. :hug:
-
Congrats!
-
8 years :RJ:
Goddamn! Congrats!
-
8 years :RJ:
My man!
And I also mean that in a possessive way. You're MY man! But also congrats!
-
8 years :RJ:
Awesome :metal
-
8 years :RJ:
My man!
And I also mean that in a possessive way. You're MY man! But also congrats!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/7ycl4jNeyCn2U/giphy.gif)
-
This is me. If I don't buy it then I don't have a problem but when my gf brings home some chips or something like that it'll be gone same day.
Dang me too! I don't have a sweet tooth, but if my stomach and my wife could handle it, I'd eat chips and soda for every meal.
Also, video gaming is now apparently an addiction.
-
8 years :RJ:
My man!
And I also mean that in a possessive way. You're MY man! But also congrats!
Like there was any question of who I belonged to, you tattoo'd your name on my ass after all.
Thanks all, it's been one hell of a ride for sure. I'll be picking up my chip tomorrow night :)
-
Congrats Lonestar!
Honest question, for anyone: how do you know when you have a problem. Like, with alcohol, for instance. What does dependence look like?
-
Congrats Lonestar!
Honest question, for anyone: how do you know when you have a problem. Like, with alcohol, for instance. What does dependence look like?
Coming up on 11 years sober....and for me.....it’s when I realized how alcohol was affecting me as a person, which in turn was affecting the people I loved most. My dependence on alcohol was more me using it as a means to anesthetize the voice inside me that was pleading with me to confront some of the horrible things that happened to me when I was 9....to stop ignoring them and take control of myself. ‘‘Twas a hard thing to admit that I was allowing alcohol to dictate a great deal in my life, but SO glad I surrendered.
-
Congrats Lonestar!
Honest question, for anyone: how do you know when you have a problem. Like, with alcohol, for instance. What does dependence look like?
We define alcoholism as a two sided disease, a physical side and a mental side. On the physical side, it's similar to an allergy, where when we start to consume it, a physical reaction of craving kicks in and we can't stop. Now on the mental side, there's an obsession that when we aren't drinking, it's all we think about, to where we manipulate our thinking into allowing ourselves to drink, no matter the consequences of the day or week before, thereby kicking in the phenomenon of craving. For normal people life gets better when they stop heavy drinking, for the alcoholic it gets worse without a program of recovery.
-
Lonestar :heart
-
High fives all around. Good job dudes.
-
I know it's not up there with alcohol or drug abuse, but I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned here before that I'm hooked on Afrin.
As of this morning, I'm one week free of the stuff after having used it multiple times a day, every fucking day, for the last 10-11 years.
I met with a specialist a little more than a week ago and he got me on a combination of things to ween myself off it, as well as dial in on the reason why I needed it for so long.
-
That's a great step forward Chino!
-
Nice work Brian :tup Doesn’t matter ‘what’ it is, if it’s an issue for you I’m glad you’re tackling.
-
Congrats Chino!!
-
I know it's not up there with alcohol or drug abuse, but I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned here before that I'm hooked on Afrin.
As of this morning, I'm one week free of the stuff after having used it multiple times a day, every fucking day, for the last 10-11 years.
I met with a specialist a little more than a week ago and he got me on a combination of things to ween myself off it, as well as dial in on the reason why I needed it for so long.
I remember you mentioning that you were hooked on Afrin a while ago. What happens when you quit after using it so long?
-
I know it's not up there with alcohol or drug abuse, but I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned here before that I'm hooked on Afrin.
As of this morning, I'm one week free of the stuff after having used it multiple times a day, every fucking day, for the last 10-11 years.
I met with a specialist a little more than a week ago and he got me on a combination of things to ween myself off it, as well as dial in on the reason why I needed it for so long.
I remember you mentioning that you were hooked on Afrin a while ago. What happens when you quit after using it so long?
Up until I met with this allergist, if I went even just a few hours without taking it, my head would completely block up, and shortly after that start feeling swelling behind my eyes like I had a sinus infection. Throat would dry out from the need to mouth breathe and I couldn't stay asleep for more than 15-30 minutes at a time.
-
Holy shit that sounds terrible. It actually sounds like exactly what I just had surgery for on monday except I didn't use afrin, nothing would help except surgery.
I things get better soon Chino and you're completely ween'd off soon.
-
Stumbled across this video. Wanted to share it and thought this might be a good spot.
"Homeless man talks openly about being addicted to heroin. We have an opioid crisis in America."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6ZFzEW7_Q4
-
I'm baffled at how easily doctors prescribe pills in the US. I get that the system is designed that way, and that's precisely what is scary. Thanks for sharing Brian.
Going back a couple of comments, I realize it's been over two years since I quit smoking. There are some days when I still get the craving but it is not something irresistible. I'm glad I was able to take that step.
-
I'm baffled at how easily doctors prescribe pills in the US.
When I was in college, I walked into my GP's office and told him my friend was giving me some of his Vyvanse every week, a schedule II substance somehow considered less harmful than weed. I told him I wanted to start taking it and he replied with "Do you know what dosage you want to take?". I walked out of there with a prescription for the strongest stuff they had. It's madness. I mean, to my credit, I took them as I was supposed to and actually performed well academically for the first time in my life, but for all that doctor knew, I was just going to flip my prescription every month for a few hundred bucks. The guy didn't ask me any questions about why I thought I needed it, or how my experience taking thus far had been. Freaking scary stuff, man.
-
That's insane! I knew it was bad but not getting what you ask from the doctor bad. Jeez.
-
Ten years of sobriety today :RJ:
-
Amazeballs. Congrats!
-
Wow, that's wonderful!!! :metal I can't imagine what that must feel like. (Where's the "clap" emoji when you need it??)
-
Ten years of sobriety today :RJ:
My man!
-
Awesome! You're an inspiration :tup
-
Hears to 10 more good sir!
-
Ten years of sobriety today :RJ:
That's fantastic!
(https://media.tenor.com/images/91d0caf00a59bf129df17136ec8e3dd4/tenor.gif)
-
Ten years of sobriety today :RJ:
Awesome!!!!
-
Ten years of sobriety today :RJ:
:clap:
-
:metal :tup
-
Thank all, and thanks for giving me a space to occupy my mind during those very quiet hours.
-
That's amazing, congratulations! :metal
-
(http://replygif.net/i/945.gif)
Much love my brother from another mother.
-
Ten years of sobriety today :RJ:
Huge news! Congratulations!!
-
A well earned milestone. May you never have to start the calendar all over again.
-
So I hit 13 years sober two months ago in June....but man, I have to tell you for the first time in literally a decade I've been really struggling mentally with sobriety. The 'addict' in me has been working overtime to convince myself that I've 'proven' that I can control myself and that surely I can start drinking and smoking some pot in moderation. That I've 'learned' to be smart about it.
Now, I know that isn't the case. I am incapable of moderation and have no 'off' switch when I drink or smoke pot. Yet, I've been telling myself that it probably wouldn't be that bad if I just ate some edibles every now and then....or, have a beer or two here and there. I do know better but it's been such an underlying and consistent thought recently that I even bailed on a trip to the lake last weekend with the guys I play hockey with because I knew they were going to be smoking weed, eating edibles and drinking all day and for the first time in years I didn't trust myself to be around it.
I took a new job close to a year ago and it's a pretty high stress deal with a ton more responsibility....and honestly I think that is the main contributor to these thoughts. I don't feel any 'real' danger of actually drinking or smoking weed....but it's just odd that after over a decade of really no desire or thought about breaking sobriety that it's now been in the background. So much so to where I had a dream last night that I got wasted and it felt incredibly real....like, a super lucid dream where I felt drunk and stoned.....I remember being so mad at myself in the dream for giving in and falling off the wagon that when I woke up I was teary eyed and relieved that it was just a dream.
-
I can't imagine what that's like for you Gary. My heart goes out to you; but I take some faith that you have identified the issue and can deal with it honestly.
-
I remember being so mad at myself in the dream for giving in and falling off the wagon that when I woke up I was teary eyed and relieved that it was just a dream.
I don't have any advice I could give you, but my thought is that I would read this sentence to myself every day.
Also, I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this. I think you made a great decision by not going to the lake. Your kids are depending on you.
-
I can't imagine what that's like for you Gary. My heart goes out to you; but I take some faith that you have identified the issue and can deal with it honestly.
I appreciate it Bill....and honestly I don't want to make it seem like this is worse than it is because I have a great support system with my wife and kids....just seeing them everyday gives me the inspiration to remain strong. It's just been weird because after all this time this has been the most I've battled stopping the drinking and smoking weed. I'd have thought 12-13 years ago would have been the hardest stretch. Maybe it was and I just can't remember it well? Don't know....but if anything it helps to have one more outlet to at least type it out and 'vent' a bit.
I remember being so mad at myself in the dream for giving in and falling off the wagon that when I woke up I was teary eyed and relieved that it was just a dream.
I don't have any advice I could give you, but my thought is that I would read this sentence to myself every day.
Also, I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this. I think you made a great decision by not going to the lake. Your kids are depending on you.
Thanks Tim. Indeed on the bolded....they're a tremendous source of strength.
-
Ten years in and I still get drinking /using dreams, and they're realistic every fucking time. Not sure if you have a recovery fellowship around you, if not maybe build one to keep a foot grounded, you never know which stressor will be the one that makes it ok to have just one drink. I always tell my sponsees, if you aren't working on recovery, you're working on a relapse. You know the physical side of it, there's no changing that body chemistry, and from everything I've seen relapses are much worse with long term sobriety.
Feel free to hit me up anytime if you want to bud. :heart
-
Not sure if you have a recovery fellowship around you, if not maybe build one to keep a foot grounded, you never know which stressor will be the one that makes it ok to have just one drink. I always tell my sponsees, if you aren't working on recovery, you're working on a relapse. You know the physical side of it, there's no changing that body chemistry, and from everything I've seen relapses are much worse with long term sobriety.
Feel free to hit me up anytime if you want to bud. :heart
I really appreciate it RJ and I just might. I've been doing the sobriety thing with no real recovery fellowship other than my close family, but no one who's gone through or going through it like an AA group or anything. We do have a 'Celebrate Recovery' group at my church but I've never attended.
Ten years in and I still get drinking /using dreams, and they're realistic every fucking time.
I've had a handful over the years and it's creepy how 'real' they are. Like even last night just experiencing the sensation of being wasted....not being able to walk or talk straight....it was so strange.
-
Thank god you got such a strong head on your shoulders. I can't begin to imagine how many people (I'm sure the % is rather high) do give in. RJ's certainly got more wisdom for you in this arena, but Tim/Joe/I are more fun to talk to about hockey :lol Whatsapp me whenever.
-
Thank god you got such a strong head on your shoulders. I can't begin to imagine how many people (I'm sure the % is rather high) do give in. RJ's certainly got more wisdom for you in this arena, but Tim/Joe/I are more fun to talk to about hockey :lol Whatsapp me whenever.
What a sap?
-
I can't begin to imagine how many people (I'm sure the % is rather high) do give in.
On our recent vacation we were visiting friends of which....the husband.....has been 'sober' for 10 years. We were in his garage talking and he begins to tell me how he will have an edible now and then and I just thought to myself there is no way I could do that. I know me and I am full bore which is why I just can't have a beer or two here and there or smoke a joint on occasion. I WISH I had the capability of shutting it down after a drink or two or a joint.....but I never have had that ability. Like I said....no 'off' switch at all.
But hearing him say that right in the midst of this mental battle I've been going through wasn't the best thing for the addict in me to hear. It was just something I was trying to use to reason with myself on why it'd be ok to eat an edible on occasion.
I don't feel like I'm even close to 'giving in' but like I said....this is the most difficult little stretch of time and battle I've had in my sobriety. I know from a story that Barry shared years ago, from what RJ is saying and just from hearing/reading other examples that even though I may not 'feel' like I'm close or anything that there is an addict inside of me seemingly biding his time ready to pounce and I just need to endure this little rough patch and tell that F'r to shut the F up
-
Not sure if you have a recovery fellowship around you, if not maybe build one to keep a foot grounded, you never know which stressor will be the one that makes it ok to have just one drink. I always tell my sponsees, if you aren't working on recovery, you're working on a relapse. You know the physical side of it, there's no changing that body chemistry, and from everything I've seen relapses are much worse with long term sobriety.
Feel free to hit me up anytime if you want to bud. :heart
I really appreciate it RJ and I just might. I've been doing the sobriety thing with no real recovery fellowship other than my close family, but no one who's gone through or going through it like an AA group or anything. We do have a 'Celebrate Recovery' group at my church but I've never attended.
Ten years in and I still get drinking /using dreams, and they're realistic every fucking time.
I've had a handful over the years and it's creepy how 'real' they are. Like even last night just experiencing the sensation of being wasted....not being able to walk or talk straight....it was so strange.
My brother does Celebrate, it's basically modeled over the AA program, just with a specific emphasis on Christianity (I've even spoken at it a few times, which is strange since I try to distance my program from formal religions). This would be a great thing to look into, the biggest growth in my program comes not just from working steps with a sponsor, but moreso leading sponsees through them, it's amazing how our own shortcomings become so glaringly obvious when we see them in others and try to help them grow through it.
I can't begin to imagine how many people (I'm sure the % is rather high) do give in.
On our recent vacation we were visiting friends of which....the husband.....has been 'sober' for 10 years. We were in his garage talking and he begins to tell me how he will have an edible now and then and I just thought to myself there is no way I could do that. I know me and I am full bore which is why I just can't have a beer or two here and there or smoke a joint on occasion. I WISH I had the capability of shutting it down after a drink or two or a joint.....but I never have had that ability. Like I said....no 'off' switch at all.
But hearing him say that right in the midst of this mental battle I've been going through wasn't the best thing for the addict in me to hear. It was just something I was trying to use to reason with myself on why it'd be ok to eat an edible on occasion.
I don't feel like I'm even close to 'giving in' but like I said....this is the most difficult little stretch of time and battle I've had in my sobriety. I know from a story that Barry shared years ago, from what RJ is saying and just from hearing/reading other examples that even though I may not 'feel' like I'm close or anything that there is an addict inside of me seemingly biding his time ready to pounce and I just need to endure this little rough patch and tell that F'r to shut the F up
Yeah, there's a huge difference between not drinking and being fully clean and sober. For me, one who is not drinking but performing marijuana maintenance, still is looking for a chemical solution to a mental and spiritual problem. My goal, and that of the fellowships, is to find that spiritual solution.
-
Not sure if you have a recovery fellowship around you, if not maybe build one to keep a foot grounded, you never know which stressor will be the one that makes it ok to have just one drink. I always tell my sponsees, if you aren't working on recovery, you're working on a relapse. You know the physical side of it, there's no changing that body chemistry, and from everything I've seen relapses are much worse with long term sobriety.
Feel free to hit me up anytime if you want to bud. :heart
I really appreciate it RJ and I just might. I've been doing the sobriety thing with no real recovery fellowship other than my close family, but no one who's gone through or going through it like an AA group or anything. We do have a 'Celebrate Recovery' group at my church but I've never attended.
Ten years in and I still get drinking /using dreams, and they're realistic every fucking time.
I've had a handful over the years and it's creepy how 'real' they are. Like even last night just experiencing the sensation of being wasted....not being able to walk or talk straight....it was so strange.
My brother does Celebrate, it's basically modeled over the AA program, just with a specific emphasis on Christianity (I've even spoken at it a few times, which is strange since I try to distance my program from formal religions). This would be a great thing to look into, the biggest growth in my program comes not just from working steps with a sponsor, but moreso leading sponsees through them, it's amazing how our own shortcomings become so glaringly obvious when we see them in others and try to help them grow through it.
I can't begin to imagine how many people (I'm sure the % is rather high) do give in.
On our recent vacation we were visiting friends of which....the husband.....has been 'sober' for 10 years. We were in his garage talking and he begins to tell me how he will have an edible now and then and I just thought to myself there is no way I could do that. I know me and I am full bore which is why I just can't have a beer or two here and there or smoke a joint on occasion. I WISH I had the capability of shutting it down after a drink or two or a joint.....but I never have had that ability. Like I said....no 'off' switch at all.
But hearing him say that right in the midst of this mental battle I've been going through wasn't the best thing for the addict in me to hear. It was just something I was trying to use to reason with myself on why it'd be ok to eat an edible on occasion.
I don't feel like I'm even close to 'giving in' but like I said....this is the most difficult little stretch of time and battle I've had in my sobriety. I know from a story that Barry shared years ago, from what RJ is saying and just from hearing/reading other examples that even though I may not 'feel' like I'm close or anything that there is an addict inside of me seemingly biding his time ready to pounce and I just need to endure this little rough patch and tell that F'r to shut the F up
Yeah, there's a huge difference between not drinking and being fully clean and sober. For me, one who is not drinking but performing marijuana maintenance, still is looking for a chemical solution to a mental and spiritual problem. My goal, and that of the fellowships, is to find that spiritual solution.
Appreciate the insight RJ....I know the Pastor who runs the program pretty well. I'm going to reach out to him and look into joining up. I just don't want to make the wrong decision and convince myself I can keep essentially going it alone and then find myself stoned or drunk one night full of regret.
-
Yeah, one tiny mistake could cost you everything, literally. It's worth your life, your family, your etc etc etc to utilize whatever resources at hand to control the deadly disease we both are afflicted with. Plus, the intangibles of doing the work of recovery are tremendous on their own, I can guarantee that. Nothing could've prepared me for picking up a sponsee at day 6 in a rehab center, still with the shakes and beaten up from the DUI accident that drove him to recovery, and working him through the process to the point where I was able to see him get his wife back, his car and license, secure his job, and start working with men of his own. But mostly, seeing that despondency leave him, seeing the light of his soul flicker back into existence, nothing will prepare you for that joy.
-
Gary, I do not have much to add (I could never be a motivational speaker), but I will echo the positive thoughts of others here. :tup :tup
-
Gary, always good to talk to someone. I'm always here for you.
-
Whatever happens, we love you man.
-
At this time of the morning, 7 years ago, I stepped outside to have my last two cigarettes.
-
At this time of the morning, 7 years ago, I stepped outside to have my last two cigarettes.
And your pocketbook benefitted as much as your lungs. :tup :tup
-
At this time of the morning, 7 years ago, I stepped outside to have my last two cigarettes.
At the same time?
-
At this time of the morning, 7 years ago, I stepped outside to have my last two cigarettes.
Congrats man. April 5th 2014 was my last cigarette, having smoked heavily (at least a pack of Marlboro reds a day) for the preceding 12 years. It was very tough - I had to resort to those pills that make you retch if you smoke - but I can honestly say I don't miss it at all. So happy to be free of that horrible, horrible habit.
-
I bought a total of 3 packs since May of last year (also a heavy Marb Red smoker), one of which came in the final few days of 2021. That pack in particular... it had been about 2.5-3 months since my last drag. The first cig tasted so disgusting. I actually didn't finish it and changed my shirt because it smelled so terrible. I still finished the pack by the end of the weekend though. The brain is weird.
My GF's mom died kind of unexpectedly a week before Christmas and a few days before vacation we had been looking forward to for a few months. We still went on the trip, but it was tough. I feel selfish saying this... but it was exhausting. Being the only crutch (not complaining) for 8 straight days did a number on me. It was freaking exhausting and it just beat me down. After the 6 hour drive home and having a minute to myself for the first time in over a week, all I wanted was a cig. I just wanted to sit on my porch/sunroom and such one down in solitude. I hadn't craved one for months, but something about that weak just defeated me.
-
At this time of the morning, 7 years ago, I stepped outside to have my last two cigarettes.
At the same time?
I chainsmoked two, then handed my pack to my roommate.
At this time of the morning, 7 years ago, I stepped outside to have my last two cigarettes.
Congrats man. April 5th 2014 was my last cigarette, having smoked heavily (at least a pack of Marlboro reds a day) for the preceding 12 years. It was very tough - I had to resort to those pills that make you retch if you smoke - but I can honestly say I don't miss it at all. So happy to be free of that horrible, horrible habit.
Nice.. I was up to 2 packs a day, lights, for about 20 years. I was just done though, used the patch, but deep down I knew that was it. A good friend of mine, heavy smoker, had a stroke the previous month that left him half paralyzed and that was it for me. He died of a subsequent stroke a few months later.
-
Hmmm, don't like the image of you chain smoking two.
Instead I'll imagine you doing two at the same time and having an internal race to see which one finishes first.
-
At this time of the morning, 7 years ago, I stepped outside to have my last two cigarettes.
Congrats man. April 5th 2014 was my last cigarette, having smoked heavily (at least a pack of Marlboro reds a day) for the preceding 12 years. It was very tough - I had to resort to those pills that make you retch if you smoke - but I can honestly say I don't miss it at all. So happy to be free of that horrible, horrible habit.
Nice work RJ and Dave! Nicotine is a mutha :censored
My last nicotine ingestion was right before midnight the night of July 31st 2002. I was 26 years old and on my birthday in January I had the realization I had been chewing tobacco since I was 14 and smoking since I was 16 and that nicotine had been in my system for 12 years! I told myself I was going to go cold turkey on the anniversary of my rattlesnake bite which was August 1st. I hammered nicotine hard that half a year then that final night I had a cheek full of Red Man.....Lip full of Kodiak and was smoking a KOOL Menthol :lol Midnight hit and I spit out the chew and dip and took the last drag and haven't touched tobacco since.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/C1Dujj8.jpg)
I smoked for about 40 minutes in high school, but it made my throat burn so I never followed through on it. I know this, though: my dad was a pack a day guy until he got sick back when I was around 7 or 8 and he and mom quit cold turkey. Fast forward to about 2010, I'm in Philly sitting on the stoop with my then wife who lit up a cigarette. My dad was standing on the sidewalk staring at her and I said "Dad, what's wrong?" He says, "Man, it's been 35 years and I can taste that cigarette like I'm smoking it myself." I don't know myself, but it seems to me that you never really lose the urge.
-
I still love the smell. At my last job I'd sit with the other smokers and just inhale the goodness.
-
My first love was chewing tobacco. I only smoked socially in my teens and when I started working in restaurants it was just easier to grab a cig than throw a chew in....especially waiting tables.
-
Are "packing a lip" and "chewing tobacco" the same thing? I looooove packing lips. I haven't done it in about 7 or 8 years, but that's by far my favorite way to enjoy nicotine.
-
I still love the smell. At my last job I'd sit with the other smokers and just inhale the goodness.
Believe it or not, so do I. When we lived in Philly, you couldn't smoke in the bar (with a few exceptions) but you could go outside and stand on the sidewalk. I would always go with my ex-wife, even though I didn't smoke myself, just to hang. I love that smell while it's fresh.
-
Are "packing a lip" and "chewing tobacco" the same thing? I looooove packing lips. I haven't done it in about 7 or 8 years, but that's by far my favorite way to enjoy nicotine.
So the big leaf chewing tobacco (Red Man, Levi Garrett etc etc) is the cut you'd throw a big wad into the side cheek and chew on it. The small fine cut like Kodiak or Coppenhagen is the cut you'd pinch a bit of and throw in your bottom lip. I think that's the kind you'd have packed a lip with.
I did both. Kodiak was easier to conceal when in high school so I leaned towards that. But the Red Man Golden Blend was good to throw in if you wanted to chew for an hour or so. It lasted a while.
-
I was a teenage smoker. Quite on my 20th birthday (for 3 months), then quit again in the summer of '93. Smokes were $6/pack, I'd just finished 1st year Uni, didn't have a job, and didn't have any money. I spent a month weaning myself off. Everytime I had that craving for a drag, I'd take a sip of water instead. I was pissing like a racehorse that summer. By the time I went back to school, I was done with smoking. I'd bum a few drags here and there, but I remember one time at the school bar, I did so and it tasted like the ass-end of a skunk. Never had a desire after that.
There was a phase in highschool where a bunch of use were pinching Kodiak. I never took to it too much... lasted about a couple of months.
-
Kodiak went around my hockey team for a while. It took one kid (not me) swallowing his wad on the bus and puking the entire way home, and another kid (maybe, maybe not me) swallowing the juice during the game and feeling like he was going to puke the entire game, and that fad died.
-
Kodiak went around my hockey team for a while. It took one kid (not me) swallowing his wad on the bus and puking the entire way home, and another kid (maybe, maybe not me) swallowing the juice during the game and feeling like he was going to puke the entire game, and that fad died.
We had guys that would spit their juice on the ice during games or open ice. Disgusting. I fall and slide on that shit mofos
-
I have had some other addictions that caused me to leave some wreckage in my wake, but I am forever grateful I never picked up smoking.
-
Eleven years :RJ:
-
Awesome!!!!!!!!
-
Eleven years :RJ:
(https://www.reactiongifs.com/r/wic.gif)
Except, you need a chef emot without a cig!
-
Eleven years :RJ:
(https://www.reactiongifs.com/r/wic.gif)
Except, you need a chef emot without a cig!
I know, unfortunately sciopath isn't on the forum anymore lol
-
Eleven years :RJ:
I love hearing that. Congratulations.
-
Eleven years :RJ:
(https://c.tenor.com/6AP9vvlkLnAAAAAS/my-man-my-man-hd.gif)
-
Eleven years :RJ:
That's awesome Lonestar!
-
Awesome, I'm proud of you RJ.
-
Eleven years :RJ:
So awesome RJ :tup
-
Oh, and I got you this:
(https://i.imgur.com/IqDm5nF.png)
-
Zydar...you da man!
-
Oh, and I got you this:
(https://i.imgur.com/IqDm5nF.png)
Now a mod just needs to add this as :cheffypoo:
-
I like it...thanks Zy :heart
-
Eleven years :RJ:
Congrats!! That's awesome to hear.
-
Oh, and I got you this:
(https://i.imgur.com/IqDm5nF.png)
Now a mod just needs to add this as :cheffypoo:
:cheffypoo:
-
Oh, and I got you this:
(https://i.imgur.com/IqDm5nF.png)
Now a mod just needs to add this as :cheffypoo:
:RJsans:
Nice... My collection is growing...
:lonestar:
:RJ:
:cheffypoo:
:extrabacon:
-
11 years, 4 emojis... lonestar is killing it!
-
XJ... you are a gentleman and a scholar.
-
14 yrs sober now...that's crazy to think about. This past year has been the roughest one thus far as far as 'temptation' is concerned as I had some moments where I really tried to convince myself I could handle it all in moderation. Just continuing to stay focused and snapping back to reality when there's a subtle whisper in my head that says "surely you can handle it by now?"
And, on 8/1 it'll be 20 years no nicotine.
-
14 yrs sober now...that's crazy to think about. This past year has been the roughest one thus far as far as 'temptation' is concerned as I had some moments where I really tried to convince myself I could handle it all in moderation. Just continuing to stay focused and snapping back to reality when there's a subtle whisper in my head that says "surely you can handle it by now?"
And, on 8/1 it'll be 20 years no nicotine.
Way to go, Gary!!! :metal
-
Congrats, buddy. Proud of you.
-
Awesome work :tup
-
14 yrs sober now...that's crazy to think about. This past year has been the roughest one thus far as far as 'temptation' is concerned as I had some moments where I really tried to convince myself I could handle it all in moderation. Just continuing to stay focused and snapping back to reality when there's a subtle whisper in my head that says "surely you can handle it by now?"
And, on 8/1 it'll be 20 years no nicotine.
Amazing, congratulations!
-
Thanks Gents :tup
-
Impressive, congrats Gary :yarr
-
Nice man :heart
-
Gary, thank you for sharing that with all of us.
-
My aunt passed away this morning more or less from cirrhosis of the liver due to drinking. She was 63, and had periods of time when she would stop but never really stuck with any kind of treatment - no meetings or therapy, etc. It's such a shame and so unnecessary and so sad. I feel really bad for my mom.
-
Sorry to hear that Lethean. That is way too young.
-
Very sorry for your loss, that is too young
-
I'm so sorry for your loss...
Anyone whose seen late stage alcoholism knows that, especially in the end phases of it when they're drinking 24/7, the option of choice in the drink is long gone. I was there, nobody chooses that for themselves. Just like cancer, it's a battle against a horrific disease, and I'm sorry your aunt lost hers. May she rest in peace.
-
Thanks guys. It sounds like she was drinking a lot more than they realized. She was going to work, which she hadn't been at times in the past when she had some rehab. Then one day she passed out at work and they discovered a whole host of medical issues. And liquor store receipts from almost every day. :(
-
Lethean, I'm sorry for your loss. I have also lost family members to addiction. It is not an easy thing to watch happen and much of the time there is literally nothing you can do.
I also offer congrats to those who have the sobriety milestones. Very impressive and not at all an easy thing to accomplish.
Did anyone catch the Matthew Perry interview with Diane Sawyer? Holy shit, I guess I wasn't surprised that he had an addiction issue but it sounds like he did a damn good job covering it up and then literally nearly died from blowing a hole in his colon. 50+ Vicodin a day? I mean, I only need to look at a codeine pill and can't shit for a week. (Sorry TMI for a girl, lol)
-
Did anyone catch the Matthew Perry interview with Diane Sawyer? Holy shit, I guess I wasn't surprised that he had an addiction issue but it sounds like he did a damn good job covering it up and then literally nearly died from blowing a hole in his colon. 50+ Vicodin a day? I mean, I only need to look at a codeine pill and can't shit for a week. (Sorry TMI for a girl, lol)
I guess I'm just a dick.
-
Lethean, I'm sorry for your loss. I have also lost family members to addiction. It is not an easy thing to watch happen and much of the time there is literally nothing you can do.
I also offer congrats to those who have the sobriety milestones. Very impressive and not at all an easy thing to accomplish.
Did anyone catch the Matthew Perry interview with Diane Sawyer? Holy shit, I guess I wasn't surprised that he had an addiction issue but it sounds like he did a damn good job covering it up and then literally nearly died from blowing a hole in his colon. 50+ Vicodin a day? I mean, I only need to look at a codeine pill and can't shit for a week. (Sorry TMI for a girl, lol)
This is why I stopped taking codeine and pretty much all painkillers years ago. The constipation is far worse than whatever the initial issues are that the tablets are needed for. :lol
-
Did anyone catch the Matthew Perry interview with Diane Sawyer? Holy shit, I guess I wasn't surprised that he had an addiction issue but it sounds like he did a damn good job covering it up and then literally nearly died from blowing a hole in his colon. 50+ Vicodin a day? I mean, I only need to look at a codeine pill and can't shit for a week. (Sorry TMI for a girl, lol)
I guess I'm just a dick.
Que?
I have a question for those whom alcohol is the primary drug of choice - does it ever irk you how much alcohol is celebrated in society? I mean, there is an entire swath of people who will gladly talk your ear off about toxins in our food...avoid seed oils! sugar is the devil! artificial colors will rot your brain!....and yet I'd wager 80% of these people have no problem throwing back a glass of wine or pint of beer. Alcohol being a LITERAL toxin! And it isn't just that. Holidays? Drink Get together with friends or family? Drink Tough day at work? Drink Need courage for a date? Drink. It is just so normalized, and I guess you could make the same argument for caffeine but caffeine doesn't kill hundreds of thousands each year.
Someone I follow for training advice is in recovery and she posts a lot about the normalization of alcohol consumption. I guess I never really thought about it before because I grew up with it all around me. Literally every member of my family drank except for 1 (my mom). And I don't think I'm outside of the norm here.
-
It always makes me laugh with all the young ones at work on special diets and will only use almond milk and certain types of foods and what diet is the best etc. yet they will go out and consume as much alcohol as they can on a Saturday night and need to take Sunday off just to recover. :lol Yeah, the almond milk over regular milk is gonna save you.
-
It always makes me laugh with all the young ones at work on special diets and will only use almond milk and certain types of foods and what diet is the best etc. yet they will go out and consume as much alcohol as they can on a Saturday night and need to take Sunday off just to recover. :lol Yeah, the almond milk over regular milk is gonna save you.
Saw that stuff in LA so much. They can't eat carbs, or sugar, or dairy, but will drink and smoke like there's no tomorrow.
-
It always makes me laugh with all the young ones at work on special diets and will only use almond milk and certain types of foods and what diet is the best etc. yet they will go out and consume as much alcohol as they can on a Saturday night and need to take Sunday off just to recover. :lol Yeah, the almond milk over regular milk is gonna save you.
Saw that stuff in LA so much. They can't eat carbs, or sugar, or dairy, but will drink and smoke like there's no tomorrow.
Yeah, that's the shit haha. There's just no logic behind that at all.
-
I have a question for those whom alcohol is the primary drug of choice - does it ever irk you how much alcohol is celebrated in society? I mean, there is an entire swath of people who will gladly talk your ear off about toxins in our food...avoid seed oils! sugar is the devil! artificial colors will rot your brain!....and yet I'd wager 80% of these people have no problem throwing back a glass of wine or pint of beer. Alcohol being a LITERAL toxin! And it isn't just that. Holidays? Drink Get together with friends or family? Drink Tough day at work? Drink Need courage for a date? Drink. It is just so normalized, and I guess you could make the same argument for caffeine but caffeine doesn't kill hundreds of thousands each year.
So... I put down a few beers every night. And as Judge Kavanaugh said.."I like beer".
But..I have no issue if they outlawed it tomorrow. When I became a father I stopped smoking weed. i didn't smoke a lot, but I called it quits right then. But I do drink beer.
I take a major issue with the advertisements. It shows people partying it up, but at the end of the commercial, there's a brief "Please drink responsibly" mention. Like they fucking care about you drinking responsibly.
As far as normalization, I don't think it's any worse than when I was a kid. Open containers when driving was pretty common. Cops were a lot more lenient about drinking and driving.
-
Did anyone catch the Matthew Perry interview with Diane Sawyer? Holy shit, I guess I wasn't surprised that he had an addiction issue but it sounds like he did a damn good job covering it up and then literally nearly died from blowing a hole in his colon. 50+ Vicodin a day? I mean, I only need to look at a codeine pill and can't shit for a week. (Sorry TMI for a girl, lol)
I guess I'm just a dick.
Que?
I have a question for those whom alcohol is the primary drug of choice - does it ever irk you how much alcohol is celebrated in society? I mean, there is an entire swath of people who will gladly talk your ear off about toxins in our food...avoid seed oils! sugar is the devil! artificial colors will rot your brain!....and yet I'd wager 80% of these people have no problem throwing back a glass of wine or pint of beer. Alcohol being a LITERAL toxin! And it isn't just that. Holidays? Drink Get together with friends or family? Drink Tough day at work? Drink Need courage for a date? Drink. It is just so normalized, and I guess you could make the same argument for caffeine but caffeine doesn't kill hundreds of thousands each year.
Someone I follow for training advice is in recovery and she posts a lot about the normalization of alcohol consumption. I guess I never really thought about it before because I grew up with it all around me. Literally every member of my family drank except for 1 (my mom). And I don't think I'm outside of the norm here.
I'll give my two cents...I wouldn't say it irks me...but I do believe it doesn't help the rampant abuse of alcohol in our society one bit. We are taught from a very young age that alcohol is literally a solution to so many of life's problems and woes, not to mention any semblance of celebration has booze all over it. And that's just the millennia of the alcohol culture in action, add to that in the last hundred years the advent of marketing, having it plastered in every direction we turn, to choose a sober life is definitely choosing to be in the minority.
For me personally, in early recovery it was very tough, especially being in the industry I'm in. I get off at 11, nothing is open except bars, I literally had zero options for a social life until I developed a new culture of friends in recovery. Honestly, thank god for DTF, this was my go to place after work in those early days, chatting with Nem on the other side of the world saved my ass when I was struggling so hard just to get through that one day at a time. Now, 11 years into this gig, I have a very solid program, and a huge recovery family to be there for me in my daily life, so the omnipresence of the booze culture doesn't effect me...I think of it as an allergy...drinking just isn't an option for me, and I don't have regrets or hangups about it. I'm sick, I suffer from the disease of alcoholism, and the cure for me is to not drink, help other alcoholics, and keep a strong spiritual program at hand. Again, this is just my experience with it.
-
I'm sick, I suffer from the disease of alcoholism
Do you consider it a physiological disease or a mental disease?
-
I'm sick, I suffer from the disease of alcoholism
Do you consider it a physiological disease or a mental disease?
I do believe it's considered both. I know it's listed as Substance Abuse Disorder in the DSM, but there are definitely physical aspects to it as well. The phenomenon of craving...the inability to stop once I start...I am literally powerless over those, and they've been well documented by the medical community. Once late stage sets in, once the real physical addiction sets in, no one in their right mind or body gets up in the middle of the night just to take a few pulls off the bottle, then go back to bed. No one wakes up, throws up, then hits the bottle to get the shakes under control. No one in their right mind puts down a 12 pack and a full bottle of Jager a day for over two years. That aspect of it is definitely physical, my body will crumble without it, and my withdrawal process literally almost killed me (I was strapped to a hospital bed for three days, going through constant gran mal seizures).
I'm sure Adami can give a much more clinical answer to your question.
-
Cool. Thank you for your answer.
-
Cool. Thank you for your answer.
Actually, in AA we're taught that it's a 3 pronged disease...physical, mental, and spiritual. Physically, once we start, we can't stop..so the solution would seem to be that we just stop drinking, right? But, once we stop, we crave it, we obsess about it, we create whatever situation/excuse/reason to have a drink...just one...I can't even tell you how many times I said I'd only have one, just to end up 8 drinks in an hour later and wondering what the fuck happened to my resolve. So physically and mentally, we're fucked...that means the solution lies in the spiritual. By doing a thorough housecleaning, and maintaining a strong spiritual connection with whatever higher power we choose (as an atheist, this was a struggle for me, but as it turns out, the fellowship of AA itself serves as a tremendous HP), we heal the spiritual aspect of the disease, and that in solves the probems of the other two. It seems wonky, but I've seen it work miracles time after time after time in the last decade or so.
-
Cool. Thank you for your answer.
Actually, in AA we're taught that it's a 3 pronged disease...physical, mental, and spiritual. Physically, once we start, we can't stop..so the solution would seem to be that we just stop drinking, right? But, once we stop, we crave it, we obsess about it, we create whatever situation/excuse/reason to have a drink...just one...I can't even tell you how many times I said I'd only have one, just to end up 8 drinks in an hour later and wondering what the fuck happened to my resolve. So physically and mentally, we're fucked...that means the solution lies in the spiritual. By doing a thorough housecleaning, and maintaining a strong spiritual connection with whatever higher power we choose (as an atheist, this was a struggle for me, but as it turns out, the fellowship of AA itself serves as a tremendous HP), we heal the spiritual aspect of the disease, and that in solves the probems of the other two. It seems wonky, but I've seen it work miracles time after time after time in the last decade or so.
Without judgement of others, do you believe there are degrees of alcoholism?
And I'm trying to be tactful and inoffensive, but it seems like you endured a true battle, and still are. What do you think of the countless celebrities, like Matt Perry above, that have to come out and "tell their story". Do you ever look at someone and think....you're not really a true alcoholic?
My guess is that your answer will be along the lines of you're taught to be non judgemental.
To draw a parallel of what I'm trying to ask...I have Adult Onset Type 2 Diabetes. My pancreas has at this point basically stopped producing insulin. I'm not overweight and eat pretty well, but it's simply beyond my control, other than staying as healthy as I can as long as I can.
But then I hear people that stuff their bloodstreams with more sugar than their natural insulin can break down and they have the nerve to call themselves pre-diabetic or diabetic. Personally, I find that offensive.
-
Cool. Thank you for your answer.
Actually, in AA we're taught that it's a 3 pronged disease...physical, mental, and spiritual. Physically, once we start, we can't stop..so the solution would seem to be that we just stop drinking, right? But, once we stop, we crave it, we obsess about it, we create whatever situation/excuse/reason to have a drink...just one...I can't even tell you how many times I said I'd only have one, just to end up 8 drinks in an hour later and wondering what the fuck happened to my resolve. So physically and mentally, we're fucked...that means the solution lies in the spiritual. By doing a thorough housecleaning, and maintaining a strong spiritual connection with whatever higher power we choose (as an atheist, this was a struggle for me, but as it turns out, the fellowship of AA itself serves as a tremendous HP), we heal the spiritual aspect of the disease, and that in solves the probems of the other two. It seems wonky, but I've seen it work miracles time after time after time in the last decade or so.
Without judgement of others, do you believe there are degrees of alcoholism?
And I'm trying to be tactful and inoffensive, but it seems like you endured a true battle, and still are. What do you think of the countless celebrities, like Matt Perry above, that have to come out and "tell their story". Do you ever look at someone and think....you're not really a true alcoholic?
My guess is that your answer will be along the lines of you're taught to be non judgemental.
To draw a parallel of what I'm trying to ask...I have Adult Onset Type 2 Diabetes. My pancreas has at this point basically stopped producing insulin. I'm not overweight and eat pretty well, but it's simply beyond my control, other than staying as healthy as I can as long as I can.
But then I hear people that stuff their bloodstreams with more sugar than their natural insulin can break down and they have the nerve to call themselves pre-diabetic or diabetic. Personally, I find that offensive.
Absolutely there are levels, our literature even has a section talking about the casual drinker, the heavy drinker, and the truly hopeless case, the key distinction being that most others, when you quit drinking life gets better, but for the truly hopeless case, it gets worse, because the only thing more unbearable than the alcoholic life is a life without alcohol. We're also taught not to mark anyone else as an alcoholic, as we say, to take someone else's inventory. We plant seeds, but mostly we talk about our own experiences in hopes that they will identify with our story and maybe see that our solution might work for them as well.
Off the AA record, I personally feel that nobody without a drinking problem ever wonders if they have a drinking problem, and most non-alcoholics don't question if they're an alcoholic or not. Also, I've seen it time and time again, this is a progressive disease, it only gets worse. Once you start down that alcoholic hill, the only directions are stop or keep rolling down.
-
What do you think of the countless celebrities, like Matt Perry above, that have to come out and "tell their story".
Don't know if it matters or not, but he claims (while he is trying to sell a book, no doubt) that telling his story could help someone else who is keeping secrets about their addiction. Personally I don't believe he became an addict in order to sell books or have a story to tell. I think he should be dead and it is nothing short of miraculous that he isn't. There is an argument to be made about celebrities calling attention to addiction being a spot light that might draw people towards using rather than against. Glamorizing it, in a way. But looking at Perry, there is no glamour there. He obviously has some neurological impairments brought on by his disease and he will likely never be a successful television or movie star again.
Do you think he is faking?
To draw a parallel of what I'm trying to ask...I have Adult Onset Type 2 Diabetes. My pancreas has at this point basically stopped producing insulin. I'm not overweight and eat pretty well, but it's simply beyond my control, other than staying as healthy as I can as long as I can.
But then I hear people that stuff their bloodstreams with more sugar than their natural insulin can break down and they have the nerve to call themselves pre-diabetic or diabetic. Personally, I find that offensive.
OMG have you seen the uptick of people WITHOUT diabetes using glucose monitors to monitor their sugar intake? It is like a new fad and it fucking pisses me off. :censored
-
RJ, thank you for your candor. I appreciate it.
Harmony, I definitely do not think Matthew Perry is faking it.
-
I have a question for those whom alcohol is the primary drug of choice - does it ever irk you how much alcohol is celebrated in society?
I think about it sometimes, but really only at gatherings, which I rarely partake in these days. I drank regularly and to excess in my 20s and early 30s. I caused some damage I try not to reflect on. I will occasionally have a shot of bourbon, but have been drunk once in the past 7-8 years, and that one time still bothers me. If I am at a gathering, people will offer me a drink, without knowing my history. That doesn't bother me at all. What just seems odd is when they are taken aback when I politely decline. Like I am the weird one.
-
Off the AA record, I personally feel that nobody without a drinking problem ever wonders if they have a drinking problem, and most non-alcoholics don't question if they're an alcoholic or not. Also, I've seen it time and time again, this is a progressive disease, it only gets worse. Once you start down that alcoholic hill, the only directions are stop or keep rolling down.
Hmmm, this is interesting. I have had times where I relied WAY too much on alcohol and wondered if I had a problem. But I'm also one of those people who can fairly easily quit all together (both alcohol and nicotine) for months or even years and during those times, I never think about having a problem. Maybe I'm just lucky. Especially with my genetics risks. I do see alcohol as a depressant and my mood goes to shit (along with my sleep) when I drink more than I should. I think that part bothers me the most. That and the extra calories.
-
Off the AA record, I personally feel that nobody without a drinking problem ever wonders if they have a drinking problem, and most non-alcoholics don't question if they're an alcoholic or not. Also, I've seen it time and time again, this is a progressive disease, it only gets worse. Once you start down that alcoholic hill, the only directions are stop or keep rolling down.
Hmmm, this is interesting. I have had times where I relied WAY too much on alcohol and wondered if I had a problem. But I'm also one of those people who can fairly easily quit all together (both alcohol and nicotine) for months or even years and during those times, I never think about having a problem. Maybe I'm just lucky. Especially with my genetics risks. I do see alcohol as a depressant and my mood goes to shit (along with my sleep) when I drink more than I should. I think that part bothers me the most. That and the extra calories.
No offense, but people who can do this really irk me. :lol
Honestly, there are those who can put it down and pick it up like you...but I'd say they're a minority in my experience. And dangerous to those of us who can't, cause it shows us that someone can if that makes any sense. There's a great quote from our literature... "The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death."
RJ, thank you for your candor. I appreciate it.
Of course...it's the one area in my life where I have to be open and honest to the fullest, cause it's not about me or maybe even you...it's about the third person silently reading this thread. I've had numerous people reach out to me in messages over the years about their own issues (two of which I'm still in contact with and have multiple years of sobriety), just as I did to another DTFer when I first had to get sober and he was open and honest as I am. We always need to leave the door open, cause we'll never know when someone will need that help.
-
Unrelated to my questioning, but I see a liver doctor on Thursday. My ALT and AST levels are through the roof. I had an ultrasound a few weeks ago, so fingers crossed. I don't want to give up my beer. :lol
I will if I have to though.
-
Unrelated to my questioning, but I see a liver doctor on Thursday. My ALT and AST levels are through the roof. I had an ultrasound a few weeks ago, so fingers crossed. I don't want to give up my beer. :lol
I will if I have to though.
I'd gather it's tied more to your diabetes than your drinking, unless you're drinking a lot that is. Damn diabetes fucks with everything.
-
On the flipside of things, I just want to say who grateful I am to not feel the seduction of alcohol, as it runs in my family.
My grandfather and great grand father had severe alcohol problems and I am very grateful that I can just have a drink here and there and never really felt that urge to drink to the point of addiction.
-
Off the AA record, I personally feel that nobody without a drinking problem ever wonders if they have a drinking problem, and most non-alcoholics don't question if they're an alcoholic or not. Also, I've seen it time and time again, this is a progressive disease, it only gets worse. Once you start down that alcoholic hill, the only directions are stop or keep rolling down.
Hmmm, this is interesting. I have had times where I relied WAY too much on alcohol and wondered if I had a problem. But I'm also one of those people who can fairly easily quit all together (both alcohol and nicotine) for months or even years and during those times, I never think about having a problem. Maybe I'm just lucky. Especially with my genetics risks. I do see alcohol as a depressant and my mood goes to shit (along with my sleep) when I drink more than I should. I think that part bothers me the most. That and the extra calories.
No offense, but people who can do this really irk me. :lol
Honestly, there are those who can put it down and pick it up like you...but I'd say they're a minority in my experience. And dangerous to those of us who can't, cause it shows us that someone can if that makes any sense. There's a great quote from our literature... "The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death."
Sorry! If it helps, I definitely have vices that I struggle with. And I honestly consider myself a rarity in that I'm just lucky that I apparently have the genetics to be able to turn it off when it comes to alcohol and nicotine. I understand this is not the norm. AND I am careful not to flirt with disaster because I feel like I dance around the line and who knows if next time, I can't get back to the other side of it?
For example, food is an area that I'm currently working on. And not just in the, "I need to lose weight" category but in the very unhealthy relationship I have with food and have had since my mom had me tag along with all of her various diets since middle school. And I wasn't even overweight! It's crazy....but I had a real "aha" moment this last summer and I am very much feeling a big change in my way of thinking and thus my behavior around food - and it seems to be working so far. I don't have an eating disorder or anything - it is more around yoyo dieting and the harm it has done to my health over the years. And food - much like alcohol - is a product that is literally shoved in our faces day in and day out and used as a coping strategy for stress.
So don't get too irk'd with me, I have issues too! :lol
-
I have yet to come across a pleasurable experience that I don't get addicted to. :lol
-
Fucking dopamine.... :lol
-
I hear you. I definitely feel addiction in certain things, and I'm working on them now. Whoever said weed wasn't addictive was lying. :lol But that's honestly not as bad as many other things could be. Like I enjoy gambling. I don't do it often because I can't afford to. I'm good at not going into debt for things like that, but it still scares me because when I'm standing at that craps table, blackjack table, or any game really, I can feel it. I can feel that addiction taking hold. It's very unsettling.
-
When I was in high school, my mom had a flavored coffee that I liked and I started drinking it with breakfast in the fall/winter. One day I was in a hurry and didn't, and had the worst headache I'd ever had and it lasted the whole morning and into the afternoon. When I mentioned it to my mom, she said it was probably because I'd skipped the coffee. I remember saying "that sucks. Why do *you* drink it?" and I remember her laughing. I stopped drinking it from that day on because... that headache really really sucked. Wasn't I going to have other day when I'd be in a hurry? What about when it got warm and I just didn't feel like it? That's really the only experience I've ever had and I don't think it's at all comparable to alcohol or drugs or gambling.
So I have trouble relating, but I try to just consider myself lucky in that regard and be empathetic if I can. Right now it's hard not to feel a little anger seeing what my mom and other family members are going through, even though I know she caused herself more pain over the years than she's caused them.
-
What do you think of the countless celebrities, like Matt Perry above, that have to come out and "tell their story".
Don't know if it matters or not, but he claims (while he is trying to sell a book, no doubt) that telling his story could help someone else who is keeping secrets about their addiction. Personally I don't believe he became an addict in order to sell books or have a story to tell. I think he should be dead and it is nothing short of miraculous that he isn't. There is an argument to be made about celebrities calling attention to addiction being a spot light that might draw people towards using rather than against. Glamorizing it, in a way. But looking at Perry, there is no glamour there. He obviously has some neurological impairments brought on by his disease and he will likely never be a successful television or movie star again.
Do you think he is faking?
To draw a parallel of what I'm trying to ask...I have Adult Onset Type 2 Diabetes. My pancreas has at this point basically stopped producing insulin. I'm not overweight and eat pretty well, but it's simply beyond my control, other than staying as healthy as I can as long as I can.
But then I hear people that stuff their bloodstreams with more sugar than their natural insulin can break down and they have the nerve to call themselves pre-diabetic or diabetic. Personally, I find that offensive.
OMG have you seen the uptick of people WITHOUT diabetes using glucose monitors to monitor their sugar intake? It is like a new fad and it fucking pisses me off. :censored
Can you say more about that? I kind of avoid the "celebrity tell-all"* and I didn't realize the long term impacts. I'm not joking here: I kind of thought we didn't see him in a lot of things because his youthful snark didn't really age well.
* Call me a cynic but I'm not really on the "by telling my story I can help others" train as much as some are. I know there are circumstances where that happens, and I get that "if even one person is saved!"is the standard, but I think the breakdown of the rationale for these things is far too much on the narcissistic side than the altruistic side, IMO. But I imagine this is for another thread...
-
Off the AA record, I personally feel that nobody without a drinking problem ever wonders if they have a drinking problem, and most non-alcoholics don't question if they're an alcoholic or not. Also, I've seen it time and time again, this is a progressive disease, it only gets worse. Once you start down that alcoholic hill, the only directions are stop or keep rolling down.
Hmmm, this is interesting. I have had times where I relied WAY too much on alcohol and wondered if I had a problem. But I'm also one of those people who can fairly easily quit all together (both alcohol and nicotine) for months or even years and during those times, I never think about having a problem. Maybe I'm just lucky. Especially with my genetics risks. I do see alcohol as a depressant and my mood goes to shit (along with my sleep) when I drink more than I should. I think that part bothers me the most. That and the extra calories.
No offense, but people who can do this really irk me. :lol
Honestly, there are those who can put it down and pick it up like you...but I'd say they're a minority in my experience. And dangerous to those of us who can't, cause it shows us that someone can if that makes any sense. There's a great quote from our literature... "The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death."
Sorry! If it helps, I definitely have vices that I struggle with. And I honestly consider myself a rarity in that I'm just lucky that I apparently have the genetics to be able to turn it off when it comes to alcohol and nicotine. I understand this is not the norm. AND I am careful not to flirt with disaster because I feel like I dance around the line and who knows if next time, I can't get back to the other side of it?
For example, food is an area that I'm currently working on. And not just in the, "I need to lose weight" category but in the very unhealthy relationship I have with food and have had since my mom had me tag along with all of her various diets since middle school. And I wasn't even overweight! It's crazy....but I had a real "aha" moment this last summer and I am very much feeling a big change in my way of thinking and thus my behavior around food - and it seems to be working so far. I don't have an eating disorder or anything - it is more around yoyo dieting and the harm it has done to my health over the years. And food - much like alcohol - is a product that is literally shoved in our faces day in and day out and used as a coping strategy for stress.
So don't get too irk'd with me, I have issues too! :lol
We're a fair amount alike in this regard. I drink alcohol and coffee, I do not smoke (though I like it), and I don't do any hard drugs, but I come from a family of people that struggled with their addictions. I can and have walked away from alcohol and caffeine for periods of time. I have no cravings to smoke (my dad quit in the mid-1970's and craved cigarettes until the day he died) but food.... unlike you, Harmony, I suppose I do have a weight problem; I can hide it fairly well because of my build but I'm way heavier than I should be and it's something I just haven't been able to get the upper hand on. Maybe it's because I haven't had any of the scares that others have had - I'm not diabetic, and I don't tend to eat a lot of sugars, at least not the overt kind. As I age, though, I feel like it's something I'm going to have to face or come to grips with.
-
What do you think of the countless celebrities, like Matt Perry above, that have to come out and "tell their story".
Don't know if it matters or not, but he claims (while he is trying to sell a book, no doubt) that telling his story could help someone else who is keeping secrets about their addiction. Personally I don't believe he became an addict in order to sell books or have a story to tell. I think he should be dead and it is nothing short of miraculous that he isn't. There is an argument to be made about celebrities calling attention to addiction being a spot light that might draw people towards using rather than against. Glamorizing it, in a way. But looking at Perry, there is no glamour there. He obviously has some neurological impairments brought on by his disease and he will likely never be a successful television or movie star again.
Do you think he is faking?
To draw a parallel of what I'm trying to ask...I have Adult Onset Type 2 Diabetes. My pancreas has at this point basically stopped producing insulin. I'm not overweight and eat pretty well, but it's simply beyond my control, other than staying as healthy as I can as long as I can.
But then I hear people that stuff their bloodstreams with more sugar than their natural insulin can break down and they have the nerve to call themselves pre-diabetic or diabetic. Personally, I find that offensive.
OMG have you seen the uptick of people WITHOUT diabetes using glucose monitors to monitor their sugar intake? It is like a new fad and it fucking pisses me off. :censored
Can you say more about that? I kind of avoid the "celebrity tell-all"* and I didn't realize the long term impacts. I'm not joking here: I kind of thought we didn't see him in a lot of things because his youthful snark didn't really age well.
* Call me a cynic but I'm not really on the "by telling my story I can help others" train as much as some are. I know there are circumstances where that happens, and I get that "if even one person is saved!"is the standard, but I think the breakdown of the rationale for these things is far too much on the narcissistic side than the altruistic side, IMO. But I imagine this is for another thread...
More about alcohol (and drugs) being neurotoxic? Sure....back in my early years, I worked on a detox unit. Mostly acute detox but we also had our fair share of chronics. There is a group of disorders that fall under what we used to call organicity (not sure if that is still the lingo) where folks who were heavy users functioned much in the same way as those who had suffered what we now call TBIs. And there is a wide range of how this manifests in individuals as far as long lasting impairments goes. Now I haven't evaluated Matt Perry, obvs, but from his interview with Diane Sawyer (did you see it? you can find it on Hulu IIRC) he indicated he had been sober about 18 months, so I suppose he could still be recovering neurologically from his substance abuse. Depending on how long and how hard someone abuses alcohol/drugs the brain can take up to 2 years to fully recover. But even in that subset of people there are going to be some who still show impairment, hence the organic brain syndrome. Watching Perry in that interview, I was mentally transported to my days back on the detox unit. He definitely has some oral motor issues with his speech and he kind of addressed that by saying he's had some major dental reconstruction but it seemed more than that to me. He isn't tracking the conversation normally. He uses his humor to cover some of that up (perhaps even some confabulation) but it is there. And frankly just based on what he's admitting to (or what he can remember) the sheer amount he was using for the years that he did, I'd be very surprised if there weren't cognitive issues there.
And it is fine to be cynical but I doubt you are the target audience. ;)
I may read his book. It would be interesting in that I find it unlikely that he has very clear memories from when he was using heavily. I remember reading David Crosby's first biography and wondering how the hell he remembered any of those years before he detoxed in prison. I'm fairly certain he had a co-writer who likely helped him piece it all together along with interviews from others who were there at the time. I wonder if Perry's book is much the same but I don't recall seeing another writer listed for it.
-
I find books like this generally boring. I read a lot of music autobiographies and it's always the same thing. It's rare that I am moved when someone gets clean. I think Duff McKagen was the most eloquent and sensitive about it.
I'm reading Glenn Hughes' book, and well, there's a lot of drugs.
-
Off the AA record, I personally feel that nobody without a drinking problem ever wonders if they have a drinking problem, and most non-alcoholics don't question if they're an alcoholic or not. Also, I've seen it time and time again, this is a progressive disease, it only gets worse. Once you start down that alcoholic hill, the only directions are stop or keep rolling down.
Hmmm, this is interesting. I have had times where I relied WAY too much on alcohol and wondered if I had a problem. But I'm also one of those people who can fairly easily quit all together (both alcohol and nicotine) for months or even years and during those times, I never think about having a problem. Maybe I'm just lucky. Especially with my genetics risks. I do see alcohol as a depressant and my mood goes to shit (along with my sleep) when I drink more than I should. I think that part bothers me the most. That and the extra calories.
No offense, but people who can do this really irk me. :lol
Honestly, there are those who can put it down and pick it up like you...but I'd say they're a minority in my experience. And dangerous to those of us who can't, cause it shows us that someone can if that makes any sense. There's a great quote from our literature... "The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death."
Sorry! If it helps, I definitely have vices that I struggle with. And I honestly consider myself a rarity in that I'm just lucky that I apparently have the genetics to be able to turn it off when it comes to alcohol and nicotine. I understand this is not the norm. AND I am careful not to flirt with disaster because I feel like I dance around the line and who knows if next time, I can't get back to the other side of it?
For example, food is an area that I'm currently working on. And not just in the, "I need to lose weight" category but in the very unhealthy relationship I have with food and have had since my mom had me tag along with all of her various diets since middle school. And I wasn't even overweight! It's crazy....but I had a real "aha" moment this last summer and I am very much feeling a big change in my way of thinking and thus my behavior around food - and it seems to be working so far. I don't have an eating disorder or anything - it is more around yoyo dieting and the harm it has done to my health over the years. And food - much like alcohol - is a product that is literally shoved in our faces day in and day out and used as a coping strategy for stress.
So don't get too irk'd with me, I have issues too! :lol
We're a fair amount alike in this regard. I drink alcohol and coffee, I do not smoke (though I like it), and I don't do any hard drugs, but I come from a family of people that struggled with their addictions. I can and have walked away from alcohol and caffeine for periods of time. I have no cravings to smoke (my dad quit in the mid-1970's and craved cigarettes until the day he died) but food.... unlike you, Harmony, I suppose I do have a weight problem; I can hide it fairly well because of my build but I'm way heavier than I should be and it's something I just haven't been able to get the upper hand on. Maybe it's because I haven't had any of the scares that others have had - I'm not diabetic, and I don't tend to eat a lot of sugars, at least not the overt kind. As I age, though, I feel like it's something I'm going to have to face or come to grips with.
Well, honestly it is best to get a grip on it now. Aging makes everything harder. And I definitely had a problem. I put on about 30 pounds after my sister died (some of that was alcohol related) and I've gotten half of that back off now and am starting to feel like myself again. The big change for me has been not putting time constraints around it, e.g., "I need to lose 20 pounds in 3 months." I was struggling to get going when I knew I had to do something. Somewhere I heard someone suggest that trying to do everything all at once in order to meet some time frame goal was a set up to fail and the light bulb went on over my head. What if I focused on making small changes over time? What I focused on slow weight loss and didn't wind up back with the yoyo-ing that is what has ALWAYS happened before (drop the weight, go back to bad habits and gain it all back and more)? What if I became curious about the process more than desperate for the results? What if it really is about making life style changes that are easy to live with forever instead of quick fixes?
I'm a helluva lot more happy with the results, I must say. No more starving myself, no more cutting out foods I enjoy or entire food groups. No more fad diets and unhealthy "diet culture" bullshit. No more feeling deprived and setting myself up to binge on the weekends. I mean....slow and steady seems to be winning the race at this point. I still have a goal in mind but I don't have a time to reach it by. It sure takes the pressure off and seeing progress in how I feel, how I sleep better, how I manage stress, and keep building on those successes without it being just about a number on a scale has been a huge change for me. And if you had told me a year ago I'd be lifting weights I'd have laughed my ass off. Now I'm actually enjoying physical activity again. It really is a mental shift. And if I can do it, anyone can.
-
Looks like a fentanyl vaccine is in the works.
https://mynbc15.com/news/local/fentanyl-vaccine-in-the-works
The article doesn't go into deep details, but apparently it will bind to any fentanyl that enters the body and prevent it from crossing the blood brain barrier and thus the person won't feel any high.
-
I think I'm officially addicted to sugar. I can't go a day without ice cream or chocolate or anything sweet, it's becoming bad. Not sure what classifies though in relation to when an addiction actually becomes an addiction.
I'm not into resolutions and shit but I feel a New Years one coming on........
-
I think I'm officially addicted to sugar. I can't go a day without ice cream or chocolate or anything sweet, it's becoming bad. Not sure what classifies though in relation to when an addiction actually becomes an addiction.
(https://i.imgflip.com/73z6bh.jpg)
-
One week without beer!!!!
-
One week without beer!!!!
Are you taking a hiatus or quitting for good?
Also, 1/6 was 8 years smoke free for me.
-
One week without beer!!!!
Are you taking a hiatus or quitting for good?
Both!
I reserve the right to have an actual beer for special occasions but it's because my liver isn't right. I have pretty bad NASH, pretty much due to my diabetes. Showing early signs of cirrhosis, actually. But it's not alcohol related, but for my health, I have to stop.
Trying to find some NA beer that I can live with.
-
Oh.. Well shit never knew that was a thing. Been hanging around too many alcoholics to come across a case of fatty liver disease that wasn't alcohol related. Good luck man.
I remember Clausthaler being alright, except for the whole not getting you drunk thing.
-
Oh.. Well shit never knew that was a thing. Been hanging around too many alcoholics to come across a case of fatty liver disease that wasn't alcohol related. Good luck man.
I remember Clausthaler being alright, except for the whole not getting you drunk thing.
Thank you.
When I got out of college and moved back home, I tried some NA's. I do remember Clausthaler being pretty good.
I actually like the Odoul's Amber. I prefer an English/Irish style ale.
These beers just have no body to them.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
Yeah, I understand.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
So non alcoholic scotch is out then too? I’ll enjoy the real stuff in your stead.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
So non alcoholic scotch is out then too? I’ll enjoy the real stuff in your stead.
That's actually a thing.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
So non alcoholic scotch is out then too? I’ll enjoy the real stuff in your stead.
That's actually a thing.
Some people just want to see the world burn.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
So non alcoholic scotch is out then too? I’ll enjoy the real stuff in your stead.
That's actually a thing.
Some people just want to see the world burn.
Honestly, I'd love to see society in general steer away from the laser focus on alcohol as the alpha and omega answer to all of life's situations, but to do that, non-alcoholic alternatives need to become acceptable. Personally I'm not a fan of trying to mimic spirits, it has the same sincerity to me as tofurkey, tofu hot dogs, and fake meats (though Impossible meat is a solid product that I'll stand behind 100%). I'd like to see NA options on tasting menus and at bars other than water and soda and tea. It's starting to make some headway, but there still trying to make NA alcoholic drinks.
-
One week without beer!!!!
Good work brother! :tup
-
Oh.. Well shit never knew that was a thing. Been hanging around too many alcoholics to come across a case of fatty liver disease that wasn't alcohol related. Good luck man.
I remember Clausthaler being alright, except for the whole not getting you drunk thing.
My stepson - he's 14 - was just diagnosed with fatty liver. I'm 99.99999999% sure he's never taken a drop of alcohol (I'm not being coy or playing here; his dad is a full-blown alcoholic and possibly drug addict, and his brother struggles with alcohol a bit), but he eats for shit, though. We do all right at home, because I cook, but I can't control him 24-7. School is a nightmare in that regard.
-
At no point would I have considered myself addicted to weed, but it was definitely being used as a coping mechanism more and more often and in bigger doses. Wether it was just to deal with loneliness or major frustrations from work.
After a heroic psychedelic dose last week, I have had zero desire to have any weed, so that's nice. where as before, I would be counting down the days for a day off to use, now the desire is just not there and that is very refreshing.
I love weed but I want to be in control of it and it not in control of me.
-
Oh.. Well shit never knew that was a thing. Been hanging around too many alcoholics to come across a case of fatty liver disease that wasn't alcohol related. Good luck man.
I remember Clausthaler being alright, except for the whole not getting you drunk thing.
My stepson - he's 14 - was just diagnosed with fatty liver. I'm 99.99999999% sure he's never taken a drop of alcohol (I'm not being coy or playing here; his dad is a full-blown alcoholic and possibly drug addict, and his brother struggles with alcohol a bit), but he eats for shit, though. We do all right at home, because I cook, but I can't control him 24-7. School is a nightmare in that regard.
As a diabetic, my diet is pretty decent. My GI doctor told me that 1 in 3 people have a fatty liver, and before Ben chimes in.. ;D yes it's probably due to our overall diets. For me, it's how my diabetes affects digestion is what my Primary said.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
when I first stopped I was still drinking NA's for three or four months after I stopped with the real stuff. I quit because it certainly was a fine line and slippery slope. I've never revisited any NA's because of what you're saying RJ....I don't know that I 'trust' myself....even after 14 years of sobriety (15 this June :omg:)
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
when I first stopped I was still drinking NA's for three or four months after I stopped with the real stuff. I quit because it certainly was a fine line and slippery slope. I've never revisited any NA's because of what you're saying RJ....I don't know that I 'trust' myself....even after 14 years of sobriety (15 this June :omg:)
And honestly, I drink for the blackout. NA beer is just a cruel reminder that the blackout is still somewhere out there.
-
At no point would I have considered myself addicted to weed, but it was definitely being used as a coping mechanism more and more often and in bigger doses. Wether it was just to deal with loneliness or major frustrations from work.
After a heroic psychedelic dose last week, I have had zero desire to have any weed, so that's nice. where as before, I would be counting down the days for a day off to use, now the desire is just not there and that is very refreshing.
I love weed but I want to be in control of it and it not in control of me.
Any chance you'd like to talk a bit more about this? I'm not personally in that spot, but I've heard stories about psychedelics helping with various personal issues including addiction. I find it very interesting and maybe a path forward for many people in the future.
-
At no point would I have considered myself addicted to weed, but it was definitely being used as a coping mechanism more and more often and in bigger doses. Wether it was just to deal with loneliness or major frustrations from work.
After a heroic psychedelic dose last week, I have had zero desire to have any weed, so that's nice. where as before, I would be counting down the days for a day off to use, now the desire is just not there and that is very refreshing.
I love weed but I want to be in control of it and it not in control of me.
Any chance you'd like to talk a bit more about this? I'm not personally in that spot, but I've heard stories about psychedelics helping with various personal issues including addiction. I find it very interesting and maybe a path forward for many people in the future.
I'm sure Adami can speak more to it, but it's being widely studied at this point, with a certain provable level of efficacy. I heard an interview a few weeks ago with a guy who runs a therapy center that does guided trips for such a purpose, and many come out of it with zero desire to use, and continue on to long term contended sobriety.
It should be noted that Bill W, AA's founder, experimented with LSD in this exact fashion, trying to 'manufacture' the spiritual experience that the steps are designed to create. Seems he was ahead of his time in so many ways when it came to addiction science.
-
Yeah, I've read or watched countless stories now about this, but never heard it directly from someone who tried using psychedelics for this purpose.
I think I'd actually be more open to trying this to stop me from eating such shit food :lol
-
At no point would I have considered myself addicted to weed, but it was definitely being used as a coping mechanism more and more often and in bigger doses. Wether it was just to deal with loneliness or major frustrations from work.
After a heroic psychedelic dose last week, I have had zero desire to have any weed, so that's nice. where as before, I would be counting down the days for a day off to use, now the desire is just not there and that is very refreshing.
I love weed but I want to be in control of it and it not in control of me.
Any chance you'd like to talk a bit more about this? I'm not personally in that spot, but I've heard stories about psychedelics helping with various personal issues including addiction. I find it very interesting and maybe a path forward for many people in the future.
Sure, I'd be happy to.
My whole life I've struggled with metal health issues, most of which stemmed from a violent, traumatic and broken home growing up. I found I was being a mean, cold and uncaring person to people around me since I was holding on to all this anger, sadness and pain. And eventually, I just came to the point where I wanted to heal and grow toward being a better person.
After trying the conventional therapy with a few therapists and psychologists it just wasn't really helping and then I stumbled the Johns Hopkins hospital psilocybin studies they were doing for depression, anxiety, PTSD and and addiction. Seeing how much success they were having in the research, I just went all out studying this stuff and that led me to a substance called ayahuasca.
ayahuasca is a vine found in South America that is high in DMT, which is the strongest psychedelic that is known currently. They make it into a brew which you drink.
The night I drank ayahuasca was probably the defining moment of my life and a major turning point. It was the most profound, powerful experience that i've ever had. Its hard to express in words, but somehow someway it lets you revisit, confront and make peace with past trauma while in that headspace. I was crying my eyes out in a way I never had before and in a way that brought me so much peace to finally confront this stuff that was buried so far deep down.
I'm not going to sugar coat it either. It was the struggle of my life. Not everyone vomits while using aya, but I sure did. some people did after 15 mins, while it took me 4 hours to finally purge. I was holding on to all that negative stuff and struggled so hard to let go, but after I did purge I felt utterly incredible.
I felt like I had a totally fresh slate, and I felt cleaner then I ever have in my entire life. People often talk about a concern with psychedelics being a "bad trip". In my experience, these are really just "challenging trips". Psychedelics let you face your demons, and there's nothing fun about that. But at the same time there's nothing fun about living a life of hate and sadness.
So while, it was extremely challenging and painful. Coming out the other side having freed myself of that pain was worth it a million fold. I feel like this treatment was finally the thing that helped me in a meaningful way.
I worked with ayahuasca at a facility with medical staff and therapists and counselors present. They monitored peoples vital signs and provided support both emotionally and physically. It was good "Set and setting" to do the work since you felt safe to just focus on the experience.
That was almost two years ago at this point. Now, I would love to say that that was that and my life it 100% good now, but its not some magic wand. I feel like this treatment can give your life back to you, but it can't live your life for you. And life can be very messy and trying at times. I do feel far more patient, open minded and far less angry. Like everything I was dealing went down from a 10/10 to like a 4/10, which to me any progress is better than no progress.
About a year later, I just wasn't feeling all that great for a multitude of reasons, and then I began to work with psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms) and I have only used them twice, one of which was last week.
The first time was again very challenging, but helped so incredibly. Basically the message was that with ayahuasca I purged all the bad stuff out of me, but then proceeded to just pick it up and carry it with me, and during this session the core defining message was "just let it go" and it was a fight of me trying to hold onto my pain and it working with me for a good 2 hours to finally let it go. And it felt so utterly incredible to do so.
And very happily, with psilocybin there was no vomiting for me, although some people do.
And last week's session was really just a tune up. If the theme of psilocybin session one was letting go of the past, this one was about enduring the present. And the message was that I have the strength to endure this life and to believe in myself.
And honestly I don't really want to work with psychedelics any further. I feel like I've done what I've come to do and I would like to just get on with my life. But if I ever do need to go back for a tune up, then this is something that I know helps.
Some people like to use psychedelics recreationally (which is fine by me), but for me personally I look at it as a medicine. In two years I've used them 3 times total, and each time I feel like I've moved the ball forward a little bit more in growing as a person. And ultimately, in a world full of so much negativity, I want to play a positive role.
Is this treatment perfect? No, but It's certainly given me hope in my life for the first time. And I will say that while this worked great for me I don't think it's for everyone and I respect that. But ultimately in a world where someone commits suicide every 40 seconds, it's worth a shot to look at new methods.
There are different countries where its legal currently and what's on the horizon now in the US are states that have now legalized psychedelic mental health treatment such as Colorado and Oregon, and it looks like New York state is filing legislation to vote on this year as well as other states looking to as well. Its also being researched and pursued for the VA for veterans who are struggling with PTSD from combat.
So that's my story. Thank you to anyone that took they time to read all of that.
If you or anyone else wants me to elaborate any further or have more questions, feel free to ask. And sorry for the length. I just had so much to say.
-
That's really incredible and lines up with some of the stories I've seen before with ayahuasca.
Were you scared the first time? Because I feel like I would be and I wonder if your current state would alter how things went. Like if I'm scared instead of excited, am I going to have a different experience?
Also, while I personally may be iffy of wanting to try something like this at some point, I totally agree that these options should be available to the many people out there who could really use help when the current methods out there just aren't helping them. I also think it's great to get this sort of treatment via a legit route with the help of medical people around you. Most stories seem to be people going to South America to a shaman in some village and all that just really makes me uninterested in ever trying such a thing. But I understand some people may be at such a breaking point where that's their only option, and it really shouldn't be that way.
I'm glad more research is being done here, it's very interesting and the potential is huge.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
when I first stopped I was still drinking NA's for three or four months after I stopped with the real stuff. I quit because it certainly was a fine line and slippery slope. I've never revisited any NA's because of what you're saying RJ....I don't know that I 'trust' myself....even after 14 years of sobriety (15 this June :omg:)
And honestly, I drink for the blackout. NA beer is just a cruel reminder that the blackout is still somewhere out there.
You and me both brother.....I'm with ya' on that. Good Lord, the level of self destruction involved in that style of drinking :'(
-
That's really incredible and lines up with some of the stories I've seen before with ayahuasca.
Were you scared the first time? Because I feel like I would be and I wonder if your current state would alter how things went. Like if I'm scared instead of excited, am I going to have a different experience?
Also, while I personally may be iffy of wanting to try something like this at some point, I totally agree that these options should be available to the many people out there who could really use help when the current methods out there just aren't helping them. I also think it's great to get this sort of treatment via a legit route with the help of medical people around you. Most stories seem to be people going to South America to a shaman in some village and all that just really makes me uninterested in ever trying such a thing. But I understand some people may be at such a breaking point where that's their only option, and it really shouldn't be that way.
I'm glad more research is being done here, it's very interesting and the potential is huge.
Thanks
I actually wasn't scared the first time and I think that's mainly because I didn't really know what to expect, despite reading people's accounts.
I was just so eager to find some relief, that I think that was overriding any fear. Each time going forward though, I've been very scared since I know through and through what I'm getting into.
But despite the difficulty, I still have no regrets each time.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
when I first stopped I was still drinking NA's for three or four months after I stopped with the real stuff. I quit because it certainly was a fine line and slippery slope. I've never revisited any NA's because of what you're saying RJ....I don't know that I 'trust' myself....even after 14 years of sobriety (15 this June :omg:)
And honestly, I drink for the blackout. NA beer is just a cruel reminder that the blackout is still somewhere out there.
You and me both brother.....I'm with ya' on that. Good Lord, the level of self destruction involved in that style of drinking :'(
There's a common theme in AA stories, where they talk about a point where the alcohol just doesn't work anymore, that you keep drinking but that sense of ease and comfort that comes with a drink, that familiar 'aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh' sensation we get after a few drinks, never comes. In my really rough days before I quit, I experienced this as well, that the blackout wasn't happening. As a favorite AA speaker of mine says,"I kept drinking, and you're not going away...that was never the idea"
-
I can't contribute much to that discussion other than last weekend I did mushrooms for the first time in about 16 years. I went to see the new Avatar in Imax (4th time) and it was ridiculous. It felt like magic.
On the topic of addictions, today marks one month no smokes. I hate it. I still want them all the time. Every time I walk past someone smoking one, every time I see one on TV, every time I get a ping from my project manager.... it's all I can think about. I've found myself not drinking simply because the craving for a smoke is so unbearable. I turn into an irritable asshole without them. I can't wait till those cravings finally subside.
-
I can't contribute much to that discussion other than last weekend I did mushrooms for the first time in about 16 years. I went to see the new Avatar in Imax (4th time) and it was ridiculous. It felt like magic.
On the topic of addictions, today marks one month no smokes. I hate it. I still want them all the time. Every time I walk past someone smoking one, every time I see one on TV, every time I get a ping from my project manager.... it's all I can think about. I've found myself not drinking simply because the craving for a smoke is so unbearable. I turn into an irritable asshole without them. I can't wait till those cravings finally subside.
Quitting smokes fucking sucks...even after 8 years I still crave them occasionally. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you're at the very beginning. :lol
After 25 years of mostly 2 packs a day though, it only took six months for my doc to say 'your lungs sound great!!'... I still linger in the smoking sections and wistfully inhale the smells though.
-
On the topic of addictions, today marks one month no smokes. I hate it. I still want them all the time. Every time I walk past someone smoking one, every time I see one on TV, every time I get a ping from my project manager.... it's all I can think about. I've found myself not drinking simply because the craving for a smoke is so unbearable. I turn into an irritable asshole without them. I can't wait till those cravings finally subside.
Nice work and stick with it!!! You'll be much happier and healthier without it.....gonna be rough the first little bit but keep your eyes on the prize!!! Approaching 21 years nicotine free for me which is just crazy to think about :omg:
-
RJ and/or any one else who has stopped an addictive vice (drinking/smoking/weed etc etc)
A handful of times a year I'll have a pretty vivid dream where in that dream I'm either drinking, smoking a cig....chewing tobacco....whatever the vice 'was'.... and it's SO real! Like the taste and smell and experience is 100% there......To the point of me being so upset at myself in the dream I'm either crying or just utterly devastated that I've fallen off the wagon and when I wake up the immense feeling of 'relief' that it was only a dream is so comforting.
You guys ever have these types of dreams?
-
I do, but they're usually meth dreams, and I've been off meth for 20 years. It usually happens when I see someone using on TV or something. I occasionally have drinking dreams as well. I never regret it in the dream, and upon waking, just chalk it up to getting a freebie :lol
They're very common.
-
I do, but they're usually meth dreams, and I've been off meth for 20 years. It usually happens when I see someone using on TV or something. I occasionally have drinking dreams as well. I never regret it in the dream, and upon waking, just chalk it up to getting a freebie :lol
They're very common.
That's funny. It's just such a strange thing on how 'real' it feels.
-
I do, but they're usually meth dreams, and I've been off meth for 20 years. It usually happens when I see someone using on TV or something. I occasionally have drinking dreams as well. I never regret it in the dream, and upon waking, just chalk it up to getting a freebie :lol
They're very common.
That's funny. It's just such a strange thing on how 'real' it feels.
Did you dream of a hangover the next evening?
-
I do, but they're usually meth dreams, and I've been off meth for 20 years. It usually happens when I see someone using on TV or something. I occasionally have drinking dreams as well. I never regret it in the dream, and upon waking, just chalk it up to getting a freebie :lol
They're very common.
That's funny. It's just such a strange thing on how 'real' it feels.
Did you dream of a hangover the next evening?
Ha! Nope.....just thankful it wasn't 'real'
-
At no point would I have considered myself addicted to weed
I’m sorry but I read that and just had to post this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rwG3HWubpZI (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rwG3HWubpZI)
-
At no point would I have considered myself addicted to weed
I’m sorry but I read that and just had to post this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rwG3HWubpZI (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rwG3HWubpZI)
One of my favorite scenes ever :lol
-
At no point would I have considered myself addicted to weed
I’m sorry but I read that and just had to post this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rwG3HWubpZI (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rwG3HWubpZI)
One of my favorite scenes ever :lol
Don't even have to click it :lol
-
At no point would I have considered myself addicted to weed
I’m sorry but I read that and just had to post this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rwG3HWubpZI (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rwG3HWubpZI)
One of my favorite scenes ever :lol
The funniest part isn't Saget's line (though that's funny, too), it's the "I seen him!" right after.
-
I don't touch them... Don't want to tease my memory in any way, shape or form.
when I first stopped I was still drinking NA's for three or four months after I stopped with the real stuff. I quit because it certainly was a fine line and slippery slope. I've never revisited any NA's because of what you're saying RJ....I don't know that I 'trust' myself....even after 14 years of sobriety (15 this June :omg:)
And honestly, I drink for the blackout. NA beer is just a cruel reminder that the blackout is still somewhere out there.
You and me both brother.....I'm with ya' on that. Good Lord, the level of self destruction involved in that style of drinking :'(
There's a common theme in AA stories, where they talk about a point where the alcohol just doesn't work anymore, that you keep drinking but that sense of ease and comfort that comes with a drink, that familiar 'aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh' sensation we get after a few drinks, never comes. In my really rough days before I quit, I experienced this as well, that the blackout wasn't happening. As a favorite AA speaker of mine says,"I kept drinking, and you're not going away...that was never the idea"
I went back yesterday and listened to this guy's pitch again, and man, talk about nailing the feelings of detachment that happen during late stage alcoholism...
https://youtu.be/eba0TRdGjZc?t=1795 (https://youtu.be/eba0TRdGjZc?t=1795)
-
For those of you that have overcome an addiction and have stayed free of it a for the long term, what do you do when you feel the "call" and urges for the thing you were addicted to?
Does it ever go away?
-
For those of you that have overcome an addiction and have stayed free of it a for the long term, what do you do when you feel the "call" and urges for the thing you were addicted to?
Does it ever go away?
No...it never goes away. I'm almost at 12 years, and I'll still get the voice in my head that says I can handle just one beer. For me, and I'm definitely on the extreme side of recovery, it's not a matter of fighting each craving one by one, but being constantly in a state of recovery so that I'm always in a position to where the cravings just slide off me like they're nothing. I attend 3-5 meetings a week, I meditate and do my recovery readings every morning, I usually talk to my sponsee daily, and speak with my sponsor once or twice a week, and I'm a very active member of my home group, to where I'm usually getting calls or messages many times a day about whatever is going on be it some procedural stuff or an alert of a new guy who needs help. I also listen to speaker tapes and podcasts on my drive into work to get my head in a good starting place. Recovery is a 24/7 job, and I'm always working on it. If I'm not, then I'm just working on a relapse.
Some may see all of that as an extreme time commitment, but considering where I was 12 years ago, it's nothing. And being that huge a part of AA isn't a chore, it's a gift. They were there for me on my worst day, gave me a seat and a warm place to call home. It's my responsibility to ensure that I do the same for the next drunk that walks through the doors. As the song says (and this is ripped directly from AA literature as is a good deal of the 12 step suite),"I am responsible, when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA to always be there. And for that, I am responsible"
-
Thank you lonestar
I was definitely curious to get your perspective.
-
Anytime bud. :tup
-
For those of you that have overcome an addiction and have stayed free of it a for the long term, what do you do when you feel the "call" and urges for the thing you were addicted to?
Does it ever go away?
Like RJ said……I don’t think it ever goes away. And I too battle myself with thinking that “for sure now after all this time I could moderate myself and handle a drink or two……or, smoke a joint here and there without then wanting to do it all the time”
This June will be 15 years for me and all I’ve learned is that I cannot allow myself to become complacent and think I got this whipped…..no matter what I think. I didn’t use AA or anything like that to quit…..what I did was I sought counseling for the things I was using the alcohol and weed to numb and drown out. Once I did that the ‘urge’ so to speak subsided greatly……but unfortunately for me my ‘all or nothing’ personality trait did not. So, I simply can’t allow myself to touch it.
I don’t put myself in situations that may be tough to navigate with the weed smoking and I use my faith and family to remind myself of why I stopped if ever a tough time hits.
-
I appreciate you guys putting it out there for anyone reading that may need some help.
-
I appreciate you guys putting it out there for anyone reading that may need some help.
Shows their character and also how they have been able to manage themselves through it all. Being able to recognise and accept and take the steps in beating the addictions, extraordinary and commendable, both of you.
-
I appreciate you guys putting it out there for anyone reading that may need some help.
It's part of the process...by showing others who are struggling that long, satisfying sobriety is an option, we may be able to make that crack that a normal person who just says "man, you need to get your shit together" can't. People relate to how I drank first, then they see how I'm recovered and ask how I did it. I've had numerous DTF members past and present reach out to me who were struggling, a few who are still sober to this day, just as I reached out to another sober DTFer when I hit my breaking point.
Addiction is generational, and so is recovery.
-
Can I ask your opinion/observations about people in recovery and relationships?
Scenario - My daughter, early 20s, has been in an on-again/off-again relationship with a man who is in his late 20s. Nice guy. Has been clean and sober since 2015. She doesn't know all the details of his addiction but it was severe - methamphetamines or opiates for many years.
They have tried to have a friends with benefits relationship and she has recently confessed to him that she feels more. She wants a relationship with him. He very thoughtfully and gently told her that if he could, he would. She is 'everything he'd ever want' in a woman and he doesn't want to lose her friendship but he just cannot give her what she wants/needs and he feels very badly about it. She is understandably heartbroken but is also respectful of the fact that he is being honest with her.
She is not 100% sure that his recovery commitment is a reason why he can't be in a relationship but I suspect that is a huge part of it. What you said earlier about working hard at your sobriety or else you'd be working hard at a relapse, really felt like where he is at. And I can respect that too.
I know in my contacts with others in recovery that in general relationships are frowned upon for at least 1-2 years. But this guy is now 8 years sober. Is this typical? Unusual?
I mean, it really doesn't sound like he's feeding her a line. Like I said, they've known each other for 2 years now.
-
I obviously can't speak for him not knowing his story, but for me, a good deal of my inability to be in relationships (I've had two in sobriety, both didn't work out, and I currently am not even looking) is a combination of my sense of self worth, in that my levels of inadequacy make me feel i can't offer much to someone else. Also, for me, my anxiety shoots through the roof in a relationship process, especially when the physical aspect is involved. I'm positive a great deal of that is still me working through some severe childhood crap that makes it so hard for me to separate physical and emotional intimacy when it comes to a relationship.
We each have our own stories, and I think him being so open and honest about where he's at in his speaks volumes to how healthy his recovery is. I'd gather a less healthy person would let their selfish impulses take over and basically take the other person as an emotional hostage instead of considering their well being first. Guy sounds like he actually has a pretty solid program running, hopefully he can grow into a person that can offer himself more fully in time.
Laying off dating for the first year or so is always advised, don't want to bring in any unwanted triggers if not necessary.
-
I obviously can't speak for him not knowing his story, but for me, a good deal of my inability to be in relationships (I've had two in sobriety, both didn't work out, and I currently am not even looking) is a combination of my sense of self worth, in that my levels of inadequacy make me feel i can't offer much to someone else. Also, for me, my anxiety shoots through the roof in a relationship process, especially when the physical aspect is involved. I'm positive a great deal of that is still me working through some severe childhood crap that makes it so hard for me to separate physical and emotional intimacy when it comes to a relationship.
We each have our own stories, and I think him being so open and honest about where he's at in his speaks volumes to how healthy his recovery is. I'd gather a less healthy person would let their selfish impulses take over and basically take the other person as an emotional hostage instead of considering their well being first. Guy sounds like he actually has a pretty solid program running, hopefully he can grow into a person that can offer himself more fully in time.
Laying off dating for the first year or so is always advised, don't want to bring in any unwanted triggers if not necessary.
I totally agree. She isn't going to wait on him and so it is hard for her right now. But my motherly advice was not to bolt the door shut. Nobody knows where they will both be in a year or 2 or 5. He needs to figure out what he wants out of HIS life. Whether or not that includes her remains to be seen. Probably not. But maybe they can at least be friends one day.
Thanks for your insight. It is hard to see your child grieving and heartbroken. But she will be fine.
-
She is lucky he was honest with her. He thought enough of her and himself to be so. That doesn't make her feel all better I know, but it is something that she can take solace in.
-
Difficult situation. Now she's confessed her love for him and he's knocked her back, it may be tricky for them to at least remain friends like they were, but hopefully they can and you never know, he might change his mind. I've been through this myself and one person sharing feelings ultimately changed and pretty much killed the friendship. Things aren't ever quite the same in my experience but if they were friends with benefits, that may make it easier or harder. At least she can take comfort that she put it out there and that he was honest too, it's a hard thing to do, for both of them.
-
She is lucky he was honest with her. He thought enough of her and himself to be so. That doesn't make her feel all better I know, but it is something that she can take solace in.
I'd say he's doing it out of self preservation more than anything else. Granted I'm projecting my own emotions here, but there's a sense of guilt and shame in engaging in shady behaviors for anyone, some more than others. Those things are magnified exponentially in recovery because we have so much shit baggage we're already carrying, and there's a certain trepidation and fear about adding anymore. That shame/guilt leads to resentment, which leads us to a spiritual place where a relapse can seem like a logical solution. I totally get where this guy is coming from, and can even hear his sponsor telling him "unless you want to die alone, you gotta take a chance someday man...", but that fear of going back is tremendous, sometimes strong enough where the peace of living 'just good enough' can hold us back from living to the fullest.
Not sure if that makes sense outside of my head :lol
-
She is lucky he was honest with her. He thought enough of her and himself to be so. That doesn't make her feel all better I know, but it is something that she can take solace in.
I'd say he's doing it out of self preservation more than anything else.
Oh yeah, I would agree, but I was thinking of it from her POV in trying to find a positive.
But maybe knowing that it may be best for him may also comfort her as well.
-
She is lucky he was honest with her. He thought enough of her and himself to be so. That doesn't make her feel all better I know, but it is something that she can take solace in.
I'd say he's doing it out of self preservation more than anything else.
Oh yeah, I would agree, but I was thinking of it from her POV in trying to find a positive.
But maybe knowing that it may be best for him may also comfort her as well.
It just might, I do feel for her, and can understand her place in this story as well. I'm very impressed with his honesty though, even in the rooms of recovery, shitty men are a dime a dozen, so to have one that's on the other side of the spectrum is quite impressive.
-
Thanks guys. She definitely appreciates his honesty and it is a bit of solace that he said very kind things to her and about her and said that he hoped they could remain friends but he understood if she could not.
It is just difficult knowing intellectually what you have to do (say goodbye) when your heart is telling you that this guy is a really good guy who would be worth fighting for in any other circumstance. But she doesn't want to be that woman - who sticks around hoping that he'll be able to be 'the one' when he is saying he cannot be. There is just no way to make it work out. She deserves someone who can give her what she needs and he just isn't that guy. It sucks.
-
Yeah, it does suck, but it sounds like everyone involved is doing all the right things to make the best possible outcome. We've all seen situations like this become horrifically toxic and ugly.
-
Oh yes - I asked her to think about how it might be if he were to essentially cave in and take the risk and then he spiraled out of control and relapsed. I mean...she think she's hurting now.... :-\
She's a smart woman. She gets it. But my heart hurts for both of them. I feel bad for him too, TBH. Imagine being 8 years into sobriety and still not being willing to chance being in a healthy relationship with someone you really care about.
-
Oh yes - I asked her to think about how it might be if he were to essentially cave in and take the risk and then he spiraled out of control and relapsed. I mean...she think she's hurting now.... :-\
She's a smart woman. She gets it. But my heart hurts for both of them. I feel bad for him too, TBH. Imagine being 8 years into sobriety and still not being willing to chance being in a healthy relationship with someone you really care about.
I'm almost 12 years into sobriety and still have tremendous anxiety around healthy relationships, I definitely get it. It's actually really common, there's so much deep trauma involved in our pasts that some just can't fully reconcile, but we also realize the weight of it can't be the burden of others anymore
-
Oh yes - I asked her to think about how it might be if he were to essentially cave in and take the risk and then he spiraled out of control and relapsed. I mean...she think she's hurting now.... :-\
She's a smart woman. She gets it. But my heart hurts for both of them. I feel bad for him too, TBH. Imagine being 8 years into sobriety and still not being willing to chance being in a healthy relationship with someone you really care about.
I'm almost 12 years into sobriety and still have tremendous anxiety around healthy relationships, I definitely get it.
I feel for you. I hope you are getting some help with that. I'm not sure if addiction recovery help does much focus on intimate relationships and overcoming anxiety but working with a good therapist on those things could make a huge difference. :heart
-
12 years :heart
Thank you all for being the best distraction a frantic mind could have.
-
:heart :heart :heart x infinity RJ.
-
That's awesome, RJ :heart
-
Congrats chef :tup
-
12 years :heart
Thank you all for being the best distraction a frantic mind could have.
Thank you for putting in the work and effort to be here. Don’t know what I’d do without ya, bro
:hearts:
-
12 years :heart
Thank you all for being the best distraction a frantic mind could have.
Congratulations! I take a lot of inspiration from your story, man, and I mean that sincerely.
-
Proud of you, son.
-
12 years :heart
Thank you all for being the best distraction a frantic mind could have.
Congrats RJ! Great accomplishment……way to stay strong and focused through the years.
-
Did not realize it's the equivalent of my elder daughter's age. Puts it in to some perspective for me. :tup
-
Did not realize it's the equivalent of my elder daughter's age. Puts it in to some perspective for me. :tup
My grand nephew was born five days into my sobriety, so he's always a good marker of how far I've come along.
I can't express the importance of this community enough, it really gave me a safe place to bounce around my crazy mind while I learned to navigate the world sober, a task that's quite difficult as any addict will tell you. A good deal of the growth I've shown in the last 12 years was with your guidance, and as a whole this community is about as good as people can get. :heart
-
Amen, Brother!
-
12 years :heart
Thank you all for being the best distraction a frantic mind could have.
That's a wonderful achievement mate, you should be very proud of yourself. Here's to the next 12!!
-
Well done. Having that kind of accomplishment must feel amazing. :hefdaddy
-
I've juggled about posting here for some time, but now I feel like I have to open up a little.
I've been sober for five months now. I've never been a binge drinker, but used to get drunk usually two times a week for few years. Even that amount wrecked my health, I gained a fair bit of weight and got some alarming news in the fall of 2020 when a doctor called me about my blood test results which showed that my liver AFOS/ALAT levels were three times over the limit values. I remember how she said that I only have one liver. I seriously cut down my drinking by that point and often went couple of months sober during fall/winter, but began drinking again once the summer holiday begun.
I had thought about quitting for good for some time and even managed to do it for short times, but I finally made the solemn decision to quit altogether early this year. Nothing particular happened, I just really felt that this shit has lost its luster years ago and also my hangovers kept getting worse, basically I felt the negatives outweighed the positives so much that it wasn't worth bothering anymore.
I already knew then in January that winter is the easy bit, I'm busy with school so I hadn't really had any time to drink and consequently nurse hangovers. The summer was going to be the real test. I've been struggling with temptation a little for few weeks, but today I felt first time like I can't deal with it anymore and even went outside with the intention of cycling to a liquor store. I guess the fresh air finally got me to my senses and I got back inside. I felt I'd be giving in too easy if I fell at the first real hurdle, even though I know that relapses happen, although I feel there's not enough talk about them. I'll live to fight another day now. Thank goodness I don't live any closer to any store that sells alcohol. :lol
I've generally have been striving for healthier lifestyle now. I have been exercising for almost two years now and have lost 30 lbs, I think 10 more can go. I eat less junk food and snacks less and when I do, often healthier snacks. The hole alcohol has left in my life is hard to fill though. I drink a lot of soda, I guess that's a vice of its own, but a lot less dangerous one. But in general I feel much better and lighter now, although I struggle with constant tiredness.
There's one thing that inspired me when I was quitting. I'm not sure about it, but I think I was hungover from the last time I got drunk when I saw a short video Rob Halford made about celebrating his 37th year sober. He also gave some words of encouragement to people who were just beginning their journey with sobriety and I thought that it would be really cool if I'd be sober for 37 years some day. 36 and half still to go, but I'm getting there hopefully. :)
-
Good for you man - on your victory today, and 5 months sober. :tup
-
Nice man...alcohol, especially in larger quantities is absolutely horrible for our health, both physically and mentally, and probably the best thing you can do for your health is just avoid the shit.
I just passed 12 years sober, and though my bottom was a good deal more severe (10 days in the ICU, almost dying from withdrawals coupled with pancreatitis), there's no written rule that you have to fall that far to make a lifestyle change, you can get off at any floor.
My little bit of advice, pay attention to your moods, if you find yourself getting consistently restless, irritable, and discontented, you may want to seek some help with the process. There's no shame in seeking help, and it's readily available. I've been an active part of AA for my whole sobriety, as have Halford, Portnoy, and SRV up till he passed away, and it has been a boon to my recovery. Alcohol, as the song and the book Alcoholics Anonymous, is cunning, baffling, and powerful, and it will do whatever it can to worm it's way back into our mind.
Good luck man, and please feel free to reach out to me if you need to, my PMs here are always open.
-
Thank you for your kind words. :)
Nice man...alcohol, especially in larger quantities is absolutely horrible for our health, both physically and mentally, and probably the best thing you can do for your health is just avoid the shit.
I am pretty sure that I could occasionally just have a few beers with mates with no trouble, but I find that it would light a fuse to a proverbial powder keg that would lead me getting blackout drunk. So I find it's better not to indulge at all.
I just passed 12 years sober, and though my bottom was a good deal more severe (10 days in the ICU, almost dying from withdrawals coupled with pancreatitis), there's no written rule that you have to fall that far to make a lifestyle change, you can get off at any floor.
First of all, congratulations on your milestone! That sounds absolutely terrifying, I'm glad you're still here to tell the tale.
My father has said that things are never so bad that you cannot make them even worse by drinking. His father and two of his siblings were alcoholics, so I think he knows what he is talking about.
My little bit of advice, pay attention to your moods, if you find yourself getting consistently restless, irritable, and discontented, you may want to seek some help with the process. There's no shame in seeking help, and it's readily available. I've been an active part of AA for my whole sobriety, as have Halford, Portnoy, and SRV up till he passed away, and it has been a boon to my recovery. Alcohol, as the song and the book Alcoholics Anonymous, is cunning, baffling, and powerful, and it will do whatever it can to worm it's way back into our mind.
I personally am not a big fan of the religion/spirituality part of the AA, but I doubt attending to a meeting would pledge me to anything. I am introverted and don't like talking about my personal life so I have an issue about keeping things inside. I have however told my friends about my decision to quit and they have been very supportive. Even opening up in this thread helped me a lot getting my head in the right space and I feel much better now. :)
Thank you for your advice friend, all the best.
-
I've been an active atheist in AA the whole time, whole the language is thick within the fellowship, the actual program can definitely be done from a secular perspective. That's one myth that AA definitely needs to overcome, there's even talk of a rewriting of our basic text to make them more accessible to all alcoholics in need.
-
Ruba, great to see you again and you've been missed. I hope you stick around for a bit.
I stopped drinking this winter because like you, my AST and ALT readings were off the charts. Turns out I'm showing early signs of cirrhosis. It's a of the Non Alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by my diabetes. But I was advised to stop and I have. I did have two beers out for dinner on our anniversary (they sucked too!) and a couple of shots of rum after a minor procedure. I'm not in danger of getting drunk or restart drinking in earnest though, so I don't have those demons to fight. It's just that I really enjoyed drinking beer, or trying new ones.
Good luck with this. Sounds like you have a consciousness about it.
-
Ruba, I had a similar scare like this with my doc calling me to talk about liver enzymes levels. I haven't stopped drinking completely but Def recommend you try to plug the whole od getting drunk once or twice a week with something productive. For me it's been a combo of a lifting/diet regime and learning an instrument with a weekly lesson.
-
Ruba, great to see you again and you've been missed. I hope you stick around for a bit.
Aww shucks... thanks man. I've been thinking of this forum and people from here from time to time, I've not forgotten about you.
I stopped drinking this winter because like you, my AST and ALT readings were off the charts. Turns out I'm showing early signs of cirrhosis. It's a of the Non Alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by my diabetes. But I was advised to stop and I have. I did have two beers out for dinner on our anniversary (they sucked too!) and a couple of shots of rum after a minor procedure. I'm not in danger of getting drunk or restart drinking in earnest though, so I don't have those demons to fight. It's just that I really enjoyed drinking beer, or trying new ones.
Good on you listening the doctor's advice. I feel the last part, I did also enjoy trying out new beers. There's not nearly as many types of different soda as beer or liquor! :lol
I did get new blood analysis taken earlier this year and my liver's back within healthy parameters. :) Unfortunately I had more bad news two years back, when they took an ultrasound of my liver (turned out there was also a 'healthy' amount of fat around it) that my other kidney was no longer working. It's not necessarily due to alcohol, but I doubt it was helping. My insides have definitely taken a beating. And I'm not even 30 yet!
Ruba, I had a similar scare like this with my doc calling me to talk about liver enzymes levels. I haven't stopped drinking completely but Def recommend you try to plug the whole od getting drunk once or twice a week with something productive. For me it's been a combo of a lifting/diet regime and learning an instrument with a weekly lesson.
Yeah, I feel like doing something productive is a good preventative measure. I also exercise but not as regularly as I'd like, but I'd probably want to find yet another hobby. I'm doing some volunteer work at events this summer, I've been enjoying working as an official at local athletics meets, but I've also been asking about working at music festivals.
-
'Officially' 15 years sober now. I went and got a 15 year sobriety tattoo back in the end of April because my tattoo artist had a spot open up (he's booked nearly year round) But, the end of June 2008 is when I officially began this journey. A bit bummed I didn't commit to memory the exact date...but...I knew/know it was very close to my youngest sons B-Day which is today and that it was in late June of 08'
So...anyway....here we are 15 years later. It's pretty crazy to think about when I actually sit and take the time to think about.
To all of you out there in DTF land who've shown support...I appreciate it. To those who might be struggling, if you ever want to PM me please do. I'm no expert by any means....just a guy who's still fighting the urges and temptations near every week who has happened to learn to live with it all.
-
Here's your CHiP.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bd/ba/18/bdba18fdfc546691ec5627bd7eae0b49.jpg)
Seriously though ... awesome Gary. So happy for ya.
-
Gary, really happy for you...
(https://media1.giphy.com/media/fW4lLDow8bwXxPKzNV/giphy.gif)
Oh wow, that hurt.. :lol
-
:lol Totally worth it
-
Great job, Gary. Proud for you.
-
'Officially' 15 years sober now. I went and got a 15 year sobriety tattoo back in the end of April because my tattoo artist had a spot open up (he's booked nearly year round) But, the end of June 2008 is when I officially began this journey. A bit bummed I didn't commit to memory the exact date...but...I knew/know it was very close to my youngest sons B-Day which is today and that it was in late June of 08'
So...anyway....here we are 15 years later. It's pretty crazy to think about when I actually sit and take the time to think about.
To all of you out there in DTF land who've shown support...I appreciate it. To those who might be struggling, if you ever want to PM me please do. I'm no expert by any means....just a guy who's still fighting the urges and temptations near every week who has happened to learn to live with it all.
That's awesome man, congratulations!
-
May you always be 3 years ahead of me.
-
Gary, appreciate your willingness to be open and upfront with everyone here, both when times are good, and when they aren't so good.
-
Gary, appreciate your willingness to be open and upfront with everyone here, both when times are good, and when they aren't so good.
Well…..Luke many here on the forum……I truly appreciate the friendships and community here. I’ve learned a lot from many of you…..in a variety of forms so I only hope by sharing and talking about things that I can contribute.
-
Great stuff Gary. That's a hell of an achievement. :metal
-
Just wanted to share an update on my journey – I'm three weeks nicotine-free. It's been a real rollercoaster, gotta admit. The first days were tough with cravings hitting hard. But I stuck with it, reminding myself why I quit.
Breaking habits tied to smoking has been tricky – post-meal cigs, breaks at work, even driving. Replacing them with walks and deep breaths helps. Sleep's been a mess, but I hear that's part of the process.
Proud of three weeks smoke-free after years of lighting up. Long road ahead, but I'm taking it day by day. To others quitting, stay strong!
-
Outstanding, keep up the good work. Quitting smoking sucks, but it's totally worth it.
Take the money you save and put it in a jar...see how quickly that fucker fills up!!!
Oh... and welcome to DTF!!!!
-
Thanks lonestar! I have an app telling me how much I saved and it's definitely nice to see that number grow!
-
Nicotine is a bitch. I've never been able to successfully "quit". Though, I don't think it really has anything to do with the nicotine at this point. I just really love the sensation of smoking.
I've bought 3 packs in 2023. One was when I went on vacation for a long weekend in Canada in July, and then two for my bachelor party weekend a few weeks after that. I bummed a pair of smokes at the Dreamsonic show as well. I traded a Heineken for them in the parking lot. I think that's about as good as I'm gonna get. I'm not a daily, a weekly, or even a monthly smoker anymore. I never have cravings anymore, and really the only trigger that still gets me is being drunk and smelling it. I think I'm alright with that.
-
I don't smoke, for various reasons, but I definitely get the thrill of it.
-
I'm 5-6 years without a smoke and can honestly say I no longer miss it. Not sure when that finally happened but so happy it finally did. You'll get there, it just takes forever! Good luck! I still have restless, idle hands that if I don't keep busy I just want to eat. So still working on that issue.
-
From P&R...don't ask how our discussion of Trump and Biden turned to AA and the 12 step process, but hey, it's DTF and we specialize in fantastic derailments.
Not having gone through it either, those two steps struck me as crucial:
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Now, I know there's a discussion about what "God" means in that context, that's not important here; it can mean whatever you need it to mean to be successful. I know from my personal experience with therapy, and watching certain family and friends go through (and sometimes fail to follow through) at therapy, it seems like there's a general difficulty with Homo Sapiens Americanus in doing a meaningful "searching moral inventory" and being honest about the "exact nature of our wrongs". It's hard to do, it requires a trusting and cooperative environment, and it requires people that will not, under any circumstances, weaponize that information.
It is...and most if not all alcoholics/addicts have some serious shit in their past that they're really hesitant to share. With therapy, it's a trust situation, building that bridge until you feel safe enough to cross it. With the 12 step process, at least with me and others I've worked with, it's a desperation thing. We've finally hit a point in our addiction where the pain is greater than our need to keep all the shit to ourselves, where we finally are willing to do whatever it takes to get some peace, even if it involves digging deep within. We often refer to it as the 'gift of desperation'. I spent a good hour of my inventory telling my sponsor stuff I'd never told anyone before, much of which I've since become very comfortable talking about, but that shit just festers when it sits in us.
A key thing I stress to sponsees is that in the third step we make a decision to turn our lives over to God, but at our current state our whole lives have been alcoholic, and were probably a fucking mess. Now...if we have a business and our wherehouse is a mess, if we don't do an inventory, our business will fail. It's the same with recovery, we need to inventory our lives so we know exactly what we are working with, all of it. The book is very clear with it's directions on how to go about this working through our resentments, fears, harms, and sex inventories. That's the 4th... in the fifth we literally turn our lives over, we share our inventory and ask god and our sponsor and the group on how to manage it, because surprise, in the first step we admitted it was unmanageable. It's a very specific process, and really well designed, that's why hundreds of 12 step programs have arisen in the wake of AA, and probably why the Big Book is usually listed as one of the most impactful works of literature in the 20th century.
As to the god thing, and the book is pretty clear on many occasions, that it's our interpretation of a higher power. In fact, the only part of the 12 steps as they're written in the book that are italicized are in step 5 and 11 where it states "God as we understood him"...Bill made sure that the hoop we had to jump through was inclusive to all.
What does making amends entail? I mean, I can understand what it means, but do you report back at the meetings who you made amends with?
I'd worry that people wouldn't want to make amends back to me, but I suppose you'd have to be ready for that, and I wonder how a rejection from somebody at this step can jeopardize one's progress to that point.
The amends process is tough, and can be emotionally brutal, but it can be life altering as well. I had experiences on both sides. There's no 'you must' in AA first off, everything is a suggestion. My experience, when I worked my amends I kept my sponsor in the loop so he could give me guidance on them. Amends are meant to be a clearing of our side of the street, when I make them, I'm 100% honest about the harms I caused, I ask them if there's anything I missed (since I was drunk and blacked out most of the time), and I ask offer to do whatever it takes to rectify the situation. I've known people who've turned themselves into the courts and done jail time, or who've gone into retail places that they stole from and repaid whatever the owner wished for. It's amazing the lengths some of these people go to for that freedom.
A girl who spoke the other night took another person's legs in a DUI accident, and for three years in the court systems went through the legal process while working the program. While the person she injured never forgave her, when she went up for sentencing the judge gave her time served, saying she'd be of better service in the rooms of AA than she would in prison. I've known her for a good 5 years now, and she is about as outstanding a person as you could meet. That's the beauty of AA in action, and I've seen countless stories like this, including my own.
I'll respond when I get home, but will jump over to the addiction thread where this discussion is more appropriate lol
When you do that, I might post this again, but I personally believe that the first five pages of chapter 5 from the AA big book are some of the most profound pages I’ve ever read.
Honestly folks. Think about what an impact the 12 step program has had on our entire society for around the last 80 years or so. If for no other reason than to just educate yourself on what everyone is talking about, 5 measly pages should not be that big a deal. I’m linking chapter 5 and the opening 5 pages (pgs 58-63) should be sufficient.
https://www.aa.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/en_bigbook_chapt5.pdf
Yeah, some good stuff there. In fact there's some great wisdom throughout the first 164pg... and some brutally dated stuff too... there's actually a 5th edition in process that's targeted at updating a lot of the more...distasteful bits that Bill put in. As great as he was, he was still a guy in the 1930s when he wrote it lol.
-
And to put a fine point on some of the things you were talking about as far as “the system works if you work it” (at one point you made the brilliant comparison of someone claiming chemotherapy doesn’t work when they are not participating in the treatments)
I think it’s because, even outside of all the spiritual aspects of the program, is that it is basically a “how to” of deconstructing ego. And some people just can’t handle that. One of the very first caveats that is highlighted in “How it Works” is that it will not work for those who are incapable of rigorous honesty with themselves. And I have known many like that. And it’s not always about addiction (though that usually comes into play) but it is usually about ego.
-
And to put a fine point on some of the things you were talking about as far as “the system works if you work it” (at one point you made the brilliant comparison of someone claiming chemotherapy doesn’t work when they are not participating in the treatments)
I think it’s because, even outside of all the spiritual aspects of the program, is that it is basically a “how to” of deconstructing ego. And some people just can’t handle that. One of the very first caveats that is highlighted in “How it Works” is that it will not work for those who are incapable of rigorous honesty with themselves. And I have known many like that. And it’s not always about addiction (though that usually comes into play) but it is usually about ego.
And Bill is very specific about that... He makes a huge effort to point out that "selfishness and self centerdness are the root of our problems"
I actually promote that alcohol is a solution to our real problems.. It gives us ease and comfort, it socially lubricates us, it helps us trudge through this life we somehow feel tragically ill-equipped to handle without it. That is the root of our spiritual problem. This creates a mental obsession with it, to where when we try to go without, to go cold turkey, life gets worse, not better, so eventually we settle to have just one (if I had a dollar for everytime I failed that one). At this point the physical kicks in, we have one drink, and the real disease gets Rolling and we are at alcohols mercy. It's like having sex with a gorilla, it isn't done till the gorilla is finished.
The steps are designed to heal and maintain the spiritual side, so that the other two never come into play.
-
I did something the a few weeks back I have never done in my life. I poured out a full decanter of bourbon. A few days before that I got buzzed for the first time in 2+ years, which set myself up for a bad situation at home. That prior time 2+ years ago could have put me in a bad situation at home, but did not. The last time I was drunk before that was 10+ years ago, and that put me in a real bad situation. Yes... I recognize there is a pattern forming here. :)
Alcohol has given me both fun and misery over the last two decades, but I do recognize the truth behind what many of you have been posting in this thread (carried over from the Biden thread...).
-
I obviously can't speak for him not knowing his story, but for me, a good deal of my inability to be in relationships (I've had two in sobriety, both didn't work out, and I currently am not even looking) is a combination of my sense of self worth, in that my levels of inadequacy make me feel i can't offer much to someone else. Also, for me, my anxiety shoots through the roof in a relationship process, especially when the physical aspect is involved. I'm positive a great deal of that is still me working through some severe childhood crap that makes it so hard for me to separate physical and emotional intimacy when it comes to a relationship.
We each have our own stories, and I think him being so open and honest about where he's at in his speaks volumes to how healthy his recovery is. I'd gather a less healthy person would let their selfish impulses take over and basically take the other person as an emotional hostage instead of considering their well being first. Guy sounds like he actually has a pretty solid program running, hopefully he can grow into a person that can offer himself more fully in time.
Laying off dating for the first year or so is always advised, don't want to bring in any unwanted triggers if not necessary.
I totally agree. She isn't going to wait on him and so it is hard for her right now. But my motherly advice was not to bolt the door shut. Nobody knows where they will both be in a year or 2 or 5. He needs to figure out what he wants out of HIS life. Whether or not that includes her remains to be seen. Probably not. But maybe they can at least be friends one day.
Thanks for your insight. It is hard to see your child grieving and heartbroken. But she will be fine.
So a little update. Yesterday my daughter discovered that this guy is engaged to be married to a woman he's been dating for about 10 years. The whole "my addiction means I can't handle a committed relationship" was all bullshit. This guy completely LIED to my daughter about so many things. FTR, they hadn't spoken since the break up last spring but they continued to follow each other on social media. Last week she discovered that he blocked her so she got nosey and figured out the reason why.
She sees him for the asshole that he so obviously is. But she is more hurt now than when they officially ended things because she sees all the lies and manipulations. She has regret about not trusting her own instincts early on. And now she's worried that she'll never fully trust anyone again. So this nice little scab she'd formed over her feelings for this guy just got ripped off and she's hurting and angry.
I honestly am pissed that he would use his recovery in that way. Like who does that? Who says, "Oh I'm sober almost a decade now....so how can I parlay that into a way to screw women without having to get serious about them? It's the perfect excuse."
If it were me? I'd be contacting the fiance to be clear she knew what he was doing behind her back. Because if I were the fiance in this situation, I'd hope someone would tell me the truth. Obviously this guy has no relationship with honesty.