We have many new faces onboard. I thought it might be a good idea to reintroduce ourselves to the group, so we can learn more about each other. I will begin!
My name is Clinton, and I am an alcoholic. Been sober by the grace of God since 2006. My drug of choice was mainly alcohol, but I did everything else under the sun. I got sober a couple of weeks after my 22nd birthday! I am still very grateful for the change that took place. I got sober by first entering detox, then an intensive treatment facility for two months, and later attended AA for a year. Today I remain sober by practicing a program of my own understanding, living to the best of my ability, and embracing my future hopes and dreams, which would not be possible with alcohol or drugs.
So, now it is your turn. Who are you? Why are you here? What is your story?
Living a happy, joyous, and free life by embracing the mind, body, and spirit.
Hello Everyone!
My name is Ann, and I am an alcoholic! I have also done some drugs. I had to go through some rough and stupid things before I was willing to become sober! Had an abortion at 18, busted up my face and fractured my teeth, broke my nose, was in a couple of car accidents, dislocated a vertebra. I am able to say that I use to like to hurt myself. I was a master at hiding all this crap, so I wouldn't embarass the family. In one of the accidents I was in were I hurt my back, the doctor recognized I was depressed, so she recommended that I see a psychologist, who recommended a treatment place that she believed I should try. I was taking anti-depressants for the depression, but threw the pills away because I didn't think they were doing anything for me.(Not recommended for everyone!)
When I went to treatment, I wasn't really sure if I had a problem! I did though! I had an attitude problem, and an anger problem! I didn't get sober until I failed an UA test for marijuana. I also got a ride to the hospital for wanting to hurt myself. I will never forget the lady who gave me a ride! She went out of her way to help me, when I didn't believe anyone really gave a crap to help me. She gave me a ride instead of calling the police on me. That is why I recommend that people do that with there kids before calling the police on them. Sometimes people just need to feel cared for. I'm getting off the subject though!
I've been sober since August 14, 1999. Got sober when I was 20 years old. I quit smoking cigarettes in 2004. I got married, and I have two kids now. I just wanted to add that I am grateful for everybody's help! I couldn't have done it with out you!!! Thank you! Glad to be here trying to help people any way that I can! Take care of yourselves!
Keep coming back!
Ann
my name is crystal and i am an attic working on my road to recovering. i am on suboxone treatment and am doing great! almost off of it being pregnant changed my life made me want to get sober my drug of choice was opiate pain pills so i got ont the methadone program wheni found out i was pregnant better than the alternative of me taking anything i could get my hands my daughter was born with withdrawls and that broke my heart i knew it was time for change i felt like i was just feeding my addiction with it so when we had to move i switched to the suboxone the best decision i have made i was on 16mg and am now down to 8mg in two months! the move was probably the best thin gfor me most of my family is addicted to something and i belive them when they says its genetic. im sick of it controlling my life!!!
~CRYSTAL~
Hi everyone, my name is Pat and I'm a recovering alcoholic. My DOS is Nov, 15, 1991. Never did any drugs, but drank enough to sink a ship. By the time I got sober, I was drinking 24/7 and going through about 3/4 of a gallon of bourbon a day. Just absolutely loved the taste. Had lost over 70 lbs in less than a year, hair falling out, face broke out, teeth going bad, not a pretty sight. Wound up with an invitation to the courts through a DWI. Did a 10 day detox because I was going to blow my brains out one night. They kept me because I had a 4.2 blood alcohol level. They don't know to this day why I lived through that and never had a problem detoxing. Had 2 yrs of probation and court appointed meetings. That was a pain without being able to drive.
Good things have come to me by being sober. I was able to help care for my husband, mother and a very dear friend when they were dying. I was able to adopt my oldest grandson and give him a better life. And I'm glad that all my grandsons have not seen me that way.
I'm glad I found this site, and the people I have come to call my friends. I'm glad to see so many younger people getting sober. You have so much life ahead of you and what a great way to live. Thanks for letting me share.
today is the next step in the journey......paw
Thanks for sharing your stories! Is there anyone else out there who wants to share there story? There must be some new people out there or someone with a story that might help somebody!
I am 25 years old, living in St. Louis, Missouri. I am an addict/alcoholic. I have been drinking since age 12 and I have tried everything out there; from pot to meth. I am 4 years sober from cocaine. I had a terrible addiction that caused me to lose everything. Only for the last year have I been seeking counceling and treatment for my alcohol abuse. I went 4 straight months sober. I'm now back in school and drinking again.. not a good combination. My biggest struggle is that everyone I know who is relative to my age group drinks. I'm begining my sobriety again today, after several months of 'controlled drinking.' As any alcoholic knows, there is no such thing. I went from complete sobriety to black outs in a very short time.
So I am starting again, today. I'm tired of feeling bad all the time and being on the brink of uncertainty. I'm back in counceling and would love to hear any advice to keep myself clean and sober.
Thanks!
Heather, welcome to the site and big atta girl from me!!!! Do you attend any meetings? That's a great place to meet sober people and there are so many young people like yourself that are getting into recovery. I love to see that too. You have so much life to live and show the world what you can be. As for things to do to keep your sanity and stay sober. So many people ask this. There are so many things: Cook, write, draw, dance, go to a gym, exercise at home, go window shopping, a meeting, paint, clean, walk, jog, start a journal, and the list goes on. Know any neighbors? Find a movie, make some popcorn and invite them over. Volunteer at a vets, senior center, day care.....What ever you do. DON'T PICK UP. If you don't drink it, you won't get drunk.......Keep coming back.
Hello Everyone! Glad to see everyone is still posting! Great idea on reintoducing oursleves Clint! Welcome to the site Heather! Everthing that Paw said is great! There is life without drugs and alcohol! You have a choice! You do NOT have to use. I found this by attanding meetings, getting a sponsor, service work, and staying clen one day at a time! By the way...I am an addict, my name is Kerry. I am 26 years old and have been clean since March 22, 2006. I went through hell in active addiction. I did mostly opiates and meth, but I was also known to drive around with a bottle of alcohol in my lap and then fall out of my car. I am originally from Washington state, but I came to Florida for treatment back in 05, and have been here for the past 4 years. I love life today and like Paw said, I fill my time with friends and fun. I have a job and am doing online courses currently to receive my AA in business. Life is beautiful! Much love to all and keep coming back!
Heather,
Congrats on starting over, and the four years you already have clean from cocaine. You know what to do, so try to apply what works for your cocaine addiction to alcohol. It's definitely difficult, I can imagine, since alcohol seems to be the better of two evils. Just think of all you have to live for, and how much better your life would be without alcohol. I got sober right after turning 22. It was difficult in many aspects, since I was still in college and all my friends drank. But knowing that I could have a future kept (and keeps) me sober. If it helps any, think of your longterm plans. Ask yourself how possible it would be to achieve those plans while drinking, and see if it is even attainable. Do whatever you got to do -- but just don't pick up. You are worth being a miracle! All my best, Clint
Hello Heather!
Welcome to this site! Thank you for sharing with us! You need to keep yourself busy! You don't have to be friends with people who are your age only! There is no law that says we are uncool if we are friends with someone older or younger than us! Focus more on your school work! Everyone gets to caught up in what people think about them! Come on! We are not in high school anymore! Will you ever see these people again? Focus on making yourself better! I let all my friends go! I only made amends with 1 of them. You will meet new people that except you for who you are! Take it one day at a time! It is tough to quit all our addictions at once!
Go to an AA/NA meeting and meet some sober people! There are more and more young people getting sober today!
Peace be with you!
Hi my name is loleen and I am struggling with a son who was recently addicted to oxycontin. My other son just passed away from drunk driving. I am having a hard time dealing with all of this and I want to help others and maybe get some help for myself in this horrible process. I am grieving for the one who is gone and for the one who wants to be gone. Just the other day he said "My life sucks" and my heart is broken for him. I keep wondering what I did wrong to have this happen. Was I a bad mother in some way What causes a person so young to think that life sucks?? I am not well and I would do anything to be healthy. What the h--- us wrong with some people?? Life is beautiful and soooooooo short Shouldn't we use the gifts God gave us to better this already nasty world???? I am grieving so sad!!!!!!
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's out of order to lose a child and my heart just goes out to you. You can't blame yourself for the choices your son(s) made.
My family took my privileges away from me, ie: (driving, no money, family/neighbors were apprised of what the situation was), that I couldn't go or do anything without being watched. I finally surrendered since I felt my life was going to be more miserable if I didn't.
But you can do something about it. Have you sat down and told him about how you feel? And that you think he should seek some help. Would he be willing to go to detox/rehab? Please understand that you can't make him stop. You don't say how old your son is, but DON'T enable him. And by that I mean not giving him money, paying his bills. You should have him follow by your house rules if he lives with you.
You need to attend some Alanon meetings. Those people have walked in your shoes and can show you ways to set boundaries that the addict should follow and what to do if they don't adhere to these boundaries. We're here for you. Keep in touch and let us know how it goes.
Loleen, I too am very sorry to hear about your loss. It is very admirable that you are reaching out, instead of retreating, to find advice. I can only imagine what you are going through as a parent. In my city, there are groups for parents who lose their children. They meet on a monthly basis at local restaurants, and they exchange numbers and contacts. A lot of opportunities to make new friends with others who know exactly what you are going through. Have you sought any counseling or are you open to doing anything with a church or spiritual group? Sometimes people find peace in this.
About your son who is struggling: you did nothing wrong. I bet half of us on site could honestly tell you that nothing we did in addiction were related to our parents. My parents never abused us, harmed us, or neglected us, and I still struggled with addiction. I truly don't have an answer as to "why" we are all addicts -- but I can honestly say that it does not stem to the environment I came from. I hope you can find some peace in that. And hopefully others will be able to say the same thing too.
Do you attend Al Anon? Is your son open to drug rehab or AA meetings? An OPEN AA meeting would be something that you and him could go to together, and you could just sit and listen, and not be pressured to say anything. There are some options out there for addiction treatment -- and counseling is something that should also be considered.
Let me know if you want to talk, need any suggestions, or need help locating a meeting -- I will be here! Clint
Thank you for your response. It is the first one that I got on this site. You really made me feel better to hear from someone else that I was not at fault for what happened to my sons. I sit and feel guilty for days at a time and I feel that I did my best to raise them well. We even moved away from the city to get them away from the drugs. How nieve I was to think that one can do that. The drugs are everywhere up the street and down the street, anywhere you go. Our cousin lives in Maryland and it is farmland as far as the eye can see and there is a drug problem there as well, Again thank you for your kind response Yes, we have considered going to Alanon. My girlfriend keeps telling us to go there for groups and I will as soon as this horrid weather breaks. Yes thank God tomorrow is Feb first and Jan will be over for good
Heather, My son just died from drunk driving. It has left me paralized. Do you want to do that to the ones that love you? I really don't know what to say that could help you to stop but to say that someone out there loves you, Jesus loves you and I'm sure that you have alot to offer the world, so why waste what God has given you on alcohol? If I could only tell you about all of the friends my son had, and had to leave behind. Some of them are severely depressed now and cannot get out of bed because they lost him. The funeral was one of the biggest in my town. He is so missed because of the fact that he got in a car, was drunk and did not even put his seatbelt on. PLEASE think of others they love you!!!!!!!!!! I pray that this helps a little.