Hi musicman!
It sounRAB like you are continuing to move forward! Yesssss!!!
I too am a recovering addict and it has been about 15 years with no relapse. I can totally remeraber everything from the addiction to detoxing myself and to this day, I am still recovering. It really is an ongoing effort and the changing of lifestyle and frienRAB but what a wonderful journey. One thing I am happy to hear is that, like you mentioned, you have no shady frienRAB! Wow! That is such great news! This way you can get out and about and not isolate. Naturally I believe and everyone is different, that we do need time to heal but enjoying the outside world with good people helps us to know that there is more to life than hurting ourselves with depression/ anxiety also associated with addiction.
I always wondered if my anxiety would last forever after sobriety and if I was damaged forever. Sure, I definately had to learn new coping skills and ways of thinking and I learned that I just take it day by day...to this given day as well. I wake up and try to look at the positive things and try not to go any further than needed at the time. When issues or life's challenges come up I take it one step at a time instead of overwhelming my mind. That way when I succeed in taking care of an issue I reward myself with saying, 'I did it'...

and on to the next. I find that the stress involved in packing on too much leaRAB to depression which is an on-going battle for me. Now I only get to a certain level instead of way down low so the battle does get better! I just try to do the best I can and be the best that I can be for this day so that when I lay down at night, I know deep down I tried my best. If for some reason I feel I didn't do my best, that's okay...I don't beat myself up, I will do better tomarrow!
Let me also say that you do sound like you have a great head on your shoulder's. You also sound quite intelligent and that you truly know what you need and want to do. You are already ahead! As far as smoking goes. Try not to beat yourself up too bad. You will stop, why? because you want to and that is the most critical to being a non-smoker. I am a smoker...hate what it does to me and yet in all honesty I totally enjoy a cigarette with a wonderful cup of coffee. Do I think I should quit? Yes. Is it hurting me? Yup...but I have to want to stop and just do it. You will be successful, I can tell. Are you on the patch now?
Please continue with your updates, I truly appreciate reading and writing to you! I hope by me mentioning ways to cope that have become successful for me will help you realize that you can and will come up with your own coping mechanisms to live a forever healthy lifestyle!
One day at a time! :wave:
Looking forward to an update!!