Help me leave the meth behind forever!!!

[senorblanco]

As some of you have read in my opening post, I have had many addictions in my lifetime, to a variety of things. 29 years of my life was wasted to drugs and alcohol. I blame myself, because it was my decision, so please do not think that in any way I am looking for sympathy!! The point of this post is that throughout my life I have been able to quit drinking or smoking marijuana by myself. I have ended my addiction of crystal meth for 2 years for 17 weeks, but I am struggling. This is the one drug that seems to never let go of its grasp. I am looking for advice. I am usually not a person that seeks help in an forum, but you have to understand that I am truly alone now. I have no family, and I had to leave all my "friends" behind, in order that, I could grow personally. I am just looking for advice on things that could help me out. I have looked on radiant recovery and see no descriptions on potatoes not prozac. I am sorry to ask for help, but this is one time that I can truly use it. Please, please, please give me some sound advice on sources. Warrior wellness is on the way. I hope this might help. I am tired of seeing darkness. Please help me see the light.

[Scott Sonnon]

Get your movement clean with Warrior Wellness.

Get your food clean with PnP.

Get to the advanced program in WW and to Step 7 in PNP by posting your daily personal practice journal here in the Blogs section.

Hook up with local RMAX people face to face and start making new decisions.

Work everyday. Each decision matters.

Keep involved in the conversations.

It will be hard until it becomes easy and then you will remember that you had forgotten about the hard times and smile.

Pray. Surrender to the Inner/Higher/Other Source.

Play... this may be the last chance you get.

[Coach Gostnell]

"Anhedonia" - the inability to feel pleasure, - is common in withdrawal from drugs such as meth and cocaine. Simply put, the drug has so battered your neuro-receptors and so inhibited your brain's own ability to produce serotonin & other important natural "feel-good" neurochemicals, that it can take a long while for things to begin working even close to correctly again (per the DSM IV, up to six months) - You have put your body/brain through torture and now they're returning the favor.

BUT you have four months of sobriety, and even though struggling, you are at least over half way there!

I don't know if you will feel better by knowing that your brain must be - and is! - going through the process of rebuilding itself, but I hope it at least helps you to persevere: One day you will wake up and it won't feel quite so bad....then the next day, maybe even less bad.

One day you will wake up, wonder what the strange sensation is, and realize you feel GOOD.

If you can't get Potatoes Not Prozac at the library, buy it, even if you have to redeem pop cans to do so. From it you will get a wonderful grasp of what's going on in your mind and body, & from that you will get the tools and impetus to begin to regain your rightful self.

Light exists - it will get brighter day by day.

[Connie Brown]

Joel, you could start talking today with other folks in your situation, and read the archives, at this group:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/radiantrecovery/join

It's the discussion group for people supporting each other in exactly what you're doing. Gretel, the moderator, is a CST practitioner too so she'll understand.

They'll help you with the food part too.

And we'll all watch here. Keep talking!

Don't quit before the miracle

[Connie Brown]

Two more things: have breakfast with protein right away.

And here's an article for you:

Restoring Your Brain and Body after Stimulant Use (http://www.radiantrecovery.com/newsletter2/stimulantuse.htm) (including meth)

[Vbrown]

Hi Joel,

Take a deep breath. Follow the valuable advice given to you. Don't get frustrated, angry at yourself or any of those downward spiraling thoughts.

Everyday you do not use, you win. Don't get mad that you have cravings, things have gone on in your brain that are going to last. Take joy in the victory of choosing not to use that day. Anyone can stay clean with no cravings. It's your new valueing of yourself that gives you the strength through the cravings.

Don't be afraid to ask for help from trustworthy folks around you. Too often there is embarassment of addiction and the thought of "I got into this, I can get out of it." Which is just another way of saying "I can quit anytime I want to." And I'll bet you've heard that before.

Be well and careful with yourself.

Vince

[senorblanco]

Thanks Connie for the interesting articles. I believe, do not complain about something unless you are willing to do something about it, so here it goes. Warrior Wellness is on its way, and so is Potatoes Not Prozac. I will keep yall informed.