Is there anyone out there struggling with a drug addiction? Looking for outside advice. Nobody seems to take me seriously anymore. I have no support from friends or family members. I was hoping someone would understand how I feel.:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

SWEETIE, UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT RELATE TO WHAT YOU'RE GOING THRU. YOU SHOULD GO AND GET SOME HELP. TRY GOING TO A DRUG AND REHAB IN YOUR AREA. I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP FIND ONE FOR YOU IF YOU'D LIKE.
PM ME IF YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU

Thank you! I have thought about rehab, but I'm afraid of failing. I have tried to quit so many times and every time I "fall off the wagon" I get a little bit worse each time. But I will PM you later. Thank you again!

How do you know when it's time for rehab? Where do you draw the line?

I have several friends who are drug addicts, some recovering, some still using... The ones that I have seen quit have been the ones who have given it up to God. I don't know what your spiritual beliefs are but one of the things I would suggest is to start praying for God to lift your want and desire to use... Another thing that seems to help is when you get the craving to use, realize that it is only a feeling adn it will pass.. ride it out.. or surf it out as some say... all the way to the end.. the negative consequences it has and how nothing good can come out of it. Also, you have to separate yourself from the situation.. All of this is easy for me to say and I will say that I dabbled a year ago into the crack world and could have very easily become an addict... BUT after seeing the devastation that it did to people I was able to stop on my own and I will say that I am blessed that I did...

You have to want it bad enough.... You can do it!!!! If you have any questions please ask me... Good luck!!!

You know I haven't been on it that long but it sure got ahold of me. 5 years doesn't sound like a long time. There are people that I know that have been on it longer than I have been alive. I've done a lot of research reguarding long term use and the damage it does to your brain and body. A person would think that alone would make a person quit. Evidently not. I can't tell if it's more about the physical addiction or the "chemically induced happiness". More than likely it's both.

Contact NA. It's in the phone book, and you'll get all the support you could ever need there. It sounds like you're at the point where you could successfully stop if you tried. That might not be true a little further down the line. You don't have to BE stopped using--------that's not a requirement. Just the desire to stop is all that's required to go to NA. Good luck! PM me if you need to.

Shadow- I am not an addict, but my boyfriend is. I can't give you advice from an addicts point of view- but I can tell you that if you think you might have a problem.......
Everyone has given you wonderful advice. Like Toi said, the longer you keep using, the harder it will be to stop. And that's when everything starts to fall apart. (coming from somone who loves an addict)
PM me if you would like to talk- and please keep posting!

How do you know when it's time for rehab? Where do you draw the line?

Shadow,

That is a very good question and I feel that when a person is asking that question might be when they might be ready to go. You are acknowledging that there is some kind of problem, and rehab can be a very good start at getting off and staying off the drugs, getting lots of education on drug addiction, and finding that you can have a happy joyful productive life free from addiction. When I went through treatment 7 years ago, I felt like you, what IF I fail? I had failed at everything else in my life so why would this be any different? and I got alot out of my treatment program, and I still use the tools that I was taught there. If you need anything feel free to pm me as well...YOU don't have to go through this alone. We are all there for you and you have been given some wonderful advice.

I worked with my daughter thru an addiction. I did not believe she was addicted and when it hit me full force I was devestated. She said she could not tell when she became "addicted". One day it was recreational, and the next day she "had" to have it. The program she went thru addressed the physical withdrawal symptoms, and within two weeks she was home free of the pain. Now, the emotional stuff took a longer period of time, but she did it. She has been clean for over two and one-half years. We are so proud of her. She lost everything she had to the addiction, and began to steal from us. NA was a big part of her recovery. I went with her for a long time for support, and then she did it on her own. Good luck to you. I will keep you in my prayers because while I don't know from my own what you are going thru, what I saw in my daughter gave me great insight.

http://www.srskansas.org/hcp/aaps/
Hon,

Try this link, there are some really good information on here.

The best free group I have found has been NA. They are everywhere, based on the same principles of AA. Not everyone can afford in house rehab. It is very costly. Some insurance companies cover it and some doesnt. Now in some states you can get court ordered and you do not have to pay. One of these states is Florida and I know this as I had a family member who was court ordered into rehab.
In college I helped re write the Drug Act in Florida. Help is out there if you truely want it.
Of course one of the best ways to help you stop using is to not expose yourself to it, change your friends and dont hang out with those who use. I know this sounds easier said than done.
Take good care of yourself, try to get nutrition, hydration, exercise and if you have a religious belief perhaps you can tap into that as well. My very best to you.

Sometimes it may take more than one try, I wouldn't call it faluire if you go to treatment and are honest. I did fail the first time I went, I went to a four month (4 days a week, 4 hours a night) treatment facility and usually showed up there higher than a kite at least twice a week. I only went because I was trying to make my family happy. I look back and I did learn a lot and use those tools and skills now. A few months later I got serious and went to an inpatient facility and it was the best thing I have ever done. I have been clean for almost a year but it is hard work and you have to work at it. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about a blast. The urges come and go but they pass. I know I can NEVER go back and I will fight not to go there. Some addicts I know have gone to rehab 5-10 times before they kicked thier habit - if that is what works, then so be it and remember your never a failure for trying. Good luck.

I'm not advocating this for everyone but sometimes a psychologist or psychiatrist is the answer...I lived with a crack addict for 12 years...umpteen rehabs, DA meetings, in-patient, out-patient, court-ordered programs, detox this and detox that...it's a constant struggle...he lived through many painful events in the years we've been together, suicide of best friend, family deaths, divorce...and finally he saw a psychiatrist after a minor suicide attempt - I say minor because he failed - I believe on purpose but it got my attention...he was diagnosed as manic depressive..and the Dr. believes he's been self-medicating himself for years with illegal drugs to mask the pain of facing his depression. He's been on anti-depressives for 5 months now and off illegal drugs. He's a different man...no longer the frantic highs and lows of his addiciton that fed his own depression...Everyone who does drugs uses them for their own reasons...entertainment, escape, commaraderie and covering pain...it is something to look into...there are many good drugs that could be prescribed by a doctor to help you fight this problem....God bless..

I'm an addict and I've used for 22 years and I have 45 days clean and sober. This is the third time ever I"ve had that many days in a row, the longest being 9 months, then 3 1/2 months, now just over 6 weeks.

If you can't stop and want to stop, that's a good indication rehab may be good for you. It takes you away from your world so you can focus on YOU.

I go to outpatient, I was trying to get clean before something really bad happened, unrelated to Pooh, but something I'll share not on the public forum.

But I'm a newcomer, if you need support from someone who's there, I'm here!

JMansbaby - I like that you are never a failure for trying. That is neat. Thanks for sharing.
Remember Hope is a good thing, it springs life eternal.

The only failure is when you don't try. I know it's hard but believe in yourself a little and go find help. If you reach your hand out someone will take it. I am. I'm not in Kansas...but you can sure talk to me if you want. I'll help you anyway I can.

I want to thank everyone for their advice and support. Right now I have been clean for 1 month. I haven't really slept very much and I have put weight back on--just in 1 month. Mostly I feel tired and run down. My allergies are kicking my butt right now which does't help either, but so far so good. Thank You all again!!!

:yay::clap: One Month!!
That is awesome...and a HUGE accomplishment one you should be very proud of I know I am!!!

Well congrats on being clean for one month. That is great. The sleep thing will come with time. My very best to you. Keep up the great work. You can do it.
Remember Hope is a good thing, it springs life eternal.

I want to thank everyone for their advice and support. Right now I have been clean for 1 month. I haven't really slept very much and I have put weight back on--just in 1 month. Mostly I feel tired and run down. My allergies are kicking my butt right now which does't help either, but so far so good. Thank You all again!!!

:) :thumbsup: :yes: :yay: :dance:
Way to go, thats great!!!!! One day at a time, it does work, hang in there, you can make it. Remember, don't reward yourself for staying clean for such and such a milestone by using. Sounds stupid but I have done it in the past. If you need to talk, please feel free to pm me anytime.

One month is a miracle! Keep going, one day at a time...I'm almost done with my 2nd month!

Here if you want to commiserated!

Well I wish you well on completing your second month. That is two miracles for you. Keep it going and all of my best to you.
Remember Hope is a good thing it springs life eternal.

It has now been 9 weeks!!!!!! I have been dreaming about getting high these last couple of weeks,BUT, because I have 2 speeding tickets totalling 400.00 I do not have the money to get it. Divine intervention? hmmmmmmm. I am also enrolling in school in January. Things are looking up. Thank you ALL for your support. You don't know how much it means to me!:wave:

Shadow,
Congratulations!! 9 weeks is awesome. The dreams will disappear. I admitted a young female last week who uses IV drugs. She said she dreams that the needle is in her arm then she wakes up. I have to give her a tb skin test with a small needle and syringe. She started freakin out wanting a hit.

The tickets God will help you. You are starting over and living right. I wish you the very best. If you ever need anything PM me. I am not an addict. But I am a nurse and work in detox/subtance abuse and mental health. If I dont know the anwer I will try and find it.

One

Oh yeah Shadow,
I hope you are attending AA/NA it does make a difference.

ONE

shadowpeople-That is super fantastic. Congrats to you. I am sure it is very normal to have dreams about your drug of choice. Enrolling in school is just wonderful. It shows you are moving on in your life.

Like One said AA and NA are great groups and offer comfort, peace, support, encouragement and help with motivation.

It is not an easy road to travel, but many have traveled before and "It will work,if you just work it".

My very best to you. Keep up the great work.

Remember Hope is a good thing, it springs life eternal.

[:help:

Kaileigh,

Thanks for ediiting your post. Although tough love can work, newcomers are another breed and often times don't know how to love themselves and need those who have walked a mile in their shoes to love them until they can learn how to love themselves.

Shadow! Congratulations on 9 weeks! You are on your way, one day at a time!
I am so happy to hear this, and I am also happy that you are keeping us updated! If you ever need anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask!!!!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!