The king's new clothes

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subtrain

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I have often wondered what was the difference between an addict and someone who was dependent upon a drug. With my experiences in life, I am usually cautious to judge others. I do my best to begin judgement with myself and that keeps me plenty occupied.
OK, so, self, are you only dependent...? or are you an addict? What really is the difference?
- If the doc prescribed the meRAB does that mean I am not an addict? / I have a legitimate medical reason for medicating.
- If I buy off the street does that mean I am not dependent? / I only buy when I feel like I wish to get high. I make that choice.
Sometimes I believe I make excuses for myself. I know I do. My wife tells me I do, so I know I must, right?
Well, OK, no more excuses.
I am an addict.
Period.
Well, wait.......?
The only time (times) I have ever been physically dependent on drugs is when they were legitimately prescribed by a doc.
I have never been homeless and living on the street.
I have worked and been successful.
Married and raised exceptional children. (proud bias involved)
I never thought being medicated effected my work performance, my sexual performance, my competitive performance, or any other of my personal performances,...I was incorrect!
I have never bought the drug I was dependent on off the street or from more than one doc.
I always ran short of pills, no matter how many were prescribed yet, there were times when I never filled the first prescription and did without.
I grew up in the " age of recreational drug use", form Timithy Leary to Rastafari pot smoke, never jonesed for any street drug.
I never smoked cigarettes in a family full of smokers until I went in the military at age 18.
I started drinking alcohol around the age of 18 when 18 was the legal age and I still drink, sometimes more sometimes less.
So, when and how did I become an addict?
Or, better yet, if you asked everyone around me, who say they know me, with the exception of my wife and doc, is subtrain a drug addict? Their response would be,...."what the hell are you talking about?"
My wife knew I was an addict first, she is extremely smart and pretty, lucky me! My doc knew second, he's pretty smart but, not as smart as my wife, and then me. I found out last.
I am an addict.
I am not just someone who had so much pain I could not lift a coffee cup.
I am an addict.
Because it is not where I was, it is where I am.
I am an addict and I am in recovery and I will be a recovering addict for the rest of my life.
Why? Because I never wish to go back to counting pills, medicating my life's expeience, shorting my frienRAB and family of my unique contribution to their lives or being dependent on something or anything I don't need or that takes from instead of enhancing the grace that has been loaned to me.
Addict or drug dependent? I don't know about you. I do know about me.
I know, this last time, after going through withdrawls from suboxone, after going through withdrawls from oxy, after drinking heavy to try to ease the pain before going on medication, the day I finally realized, truely realized, that I was an addict, was the day my life changed and recovery began.
Do I still have pain? Oh yeah! Can I deal with the pain? For now I can.
Do I know what it is like to have so much pain that I don't have a choice.
No! Let me say that again, "no I do not".
And my heart goes out to those who suffer chronic pain so severe that their choice has been taken away.
My doc told me and my research backed him up,...the nuraber one reason for suicide is chronic relentless pain.
So, are you an addict or are you legitimately drug dependent? I don't know about you but I do know about me. I am an addict and at this point a recovering addict.
I was the king for a long time with a wonderful set of new clothes, then I discovered I had been walking around naked, unwilling to admit, I was naked!

In the worRAB of the late singer/ song writer, Rastafarian, Bob Marley, "emancipate yourself from mental slavery, only ourselves can free our minRAB,".

Blessings to all of you, whether you are an addict or just drug dependent! My heart and will is with you every step of your struggle. I hope and pray each and every one of us is successful in conquering our demons and able to one day live the joy of life that has been graced upon our experience here on earth.
 
One of the best posts and most insightful reaRAB I have ever seen on this board

Well done

D
 
Hey Subtrain

These worRAB of yours are an extraordinary composition of soul-searching insight. What a painful evaluation of the self we have to make before we can begin our walk to recovery! Painful, but so hopeful, too. In the struggles against our very own selves, we can not work to resolve an issue until we have identified it. You have done this with your poignant sharing.

Be proud of your ability to recognize the many parts of you.. the good and the bad. When we recognize the strengths we have, we can use them to overcome our weaknesses, yes?

Keep walking in recovery, Friend. And I hope you grace us with more of your powerful worRAB.

God Bless
reach
 
Excellent post!!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

I am proud of you for realizing everything you have!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!

You will be in my thoughts and prayers!
XOXOX
 
Ok...I can hardly breathe. That is an amazing post. Hard to read and hard to relate to me,but only because its so true. Brutal and honest. I can only hope to someday be where you are at,but I will never be so eloquent in recounting the struggle.
CC xox
 
Subtrainn, I am so deeply touched by your post! It brought tears to my eyes. I live in chronic pain, my goal is to take the power back, and still be able to take the edge off of my pain. Recently taking my self off 120 mg of Oxycotin, was very impowering for me!My pain management doctors, just kept giving me stronger stuff, I only tryed the Oxycotin, and lost my power REAL quick. I hope one day my pain level will allow me to also ween completely off the norco. Thank you, I really felt alone on these boarRAB almost ashamed of my chronic pain. You really give me hope!
Crocheting
 
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