18 months clean!

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emsmom

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Congratulations Kitty!!

I wish you all the best in your recovery. You really have come a long way...wow :)

With admiration,
emsmom
 
Hi all,
I was pretty heavy into opiates and benzos for the past eight years. I now have 18 months clean. I just want all of you that are just beginning this journey to know that it can be done. I spent a week in detox, then 4 weeks in an IOP and 1 year in therapy. I attend NA meetings weekly.
It took me a good six months to actually start feeling normal again (due mostly to the benzos). And it took that long to gain back the respect & trust that I had lost with family and frienRAB due to my addiction. I had to cling to those who gave me strength and hope and let go of those who didn't. It hasn't always been easy, but learning to cope with whatever life throws at me has really helped. I'm enjoying life for the first time in a long time, and I 've never been happier! I wanted to share my joy and success with you all.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all who are trying to fight this demon:angel:
Kitty
 
Thanks everyone for the congrats. I picked up my keytag at the Sunday night meeting. That day was the beginning of another journey for me. I have been a smoker for over 30 years and have wanted to quit for a long time. I set that day as my quit day a couple of months ago, and when it finally came, I was ok with it. I'm on day 4 and feeling good, but by late morning the cravings really get to me. I'm using all the tools I've learned in the past 18 months and I know that with time I will feel so much better. I can beat this, too!;)
 
What a huge accomplishment! 18 months....Thank God, someone has found their way out of the stinking HOLE of addiction. Keep doing whatever works for you to stay clean.
Best wishes...
 
I have set so many quit dates. I have 5 years sober (alcoholic)....but I can't quit smoking. Keep up the good work!
I can't smoke all day at work and DONT but I can't wait to get out of there and smoke...I hope my day comes too.
Like I said, Congrats...and keep it up with the smoking.
I also have probably smoked for 30 years..i don't want to think about it! I'm 47...ok more than 30
 
Missy,
Congrats on five years! That is awesome!
When I got clean I wanted to quit cigarettes then, but I couldn't. I guess I looked at them as a substitute. If I can't get high, I'll smoke. After awhile I started to feel the way I did when I was using - watching the time for when I'd go have a smoke, going to the store so I wouldn't run out, etc. I guess an addiction is an addiction. So, I finally realized that if I could get clean and stay clean, I would try applying the things that helped me get there to quitting this other bad habit. I've learned to focus on the positives and not dwell on the negatives in life (I've totally worn out the Serenity Prayer on many days!). I want to be healthy. I finally got my head clear, now I need to work on my body. I started going to a Zuraba dance class about a month ago. What a workout! I walk everyday. I'm hoping between the exercise, not smoking and moderate changes in diet, I can bring my blood pressure down to where I won't need medication.
By the way, the cravings were much less today (day 4). I felt horrible last night, but had an ok day today. I'll try to keep you updated.
 
I envy you...and keep up the good work.
ZUrabA is brutal...LOL.
I tried ZUrabA with my girlfriend that just passed away from cancer.
She was doing awesome in the class and I had to rest!
Again, keep it up.....I have recently started thinking about the cigs like my alcohol addiction..I've always known it was the same, but I have used cigs as a crutch...for 5 years...I've said...WELL, at LEAST I don't drink.
If i continued drinking 1 more day...I wouldnt be typing this right now...and I SHOULD start applying that same thought pattern to my drinking.
I am walking too. I started everyday..but lately I have been depressed and haven't been walking either. See you around.
 
First congratulations. You really should be proud of yourself.

Secondly, I have a question. With being addicted to 2 types of drugs, how can you tell it was the benzos that kept you from feeling yourself the longest?

Thanks.
 
Congratulations and excellent work!!!(((((((((((((kitty13)))))))))))))))))))
You have taken the right steps toward getting clean and sobriety! How hard was it to attend therapy and stay clean?
 
Congratulations!!!! I'm really happy for you.

I know how hard it can be at the beginning anyway: I am 21 days off of percocet and tapering off of valium which will take about 7 more months, cutting my dose by 2.5 mg a month. It is very hard with the valium because it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest. I hold my breath alot. I started the Ashton taper off of xanax switching to longer lasting valium. Started at 80 mg and am down to 17.5 mg.
It sounRAB like you're doing everything right. You're doing the deal and not just talking about it. Are you sponsoring anyone yet?

I'm so glad that you posted.
 
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