Addiction & Recovery - Meet others & come say hi

Thanks, @savana1, that is very insightful. Once again, only share as you are comfortable doing so, but do you think the drugs provided you with some comfort that you were missing growing up?

The word, "integrity" is a good one, @hisgrace6992. Would you like to post more about how to keep integrity foremost in your life?

@hopeful33250 sorry I took to long to reply I've been busy. But yes drugs became a comfort for me

@hisgrace6992 @johnwhitfield @savana1 @hisgrace6992 @kclynd @zeph317 and others in the Addiction/Recovery group. I'd like to invite you to read a new post from a Member, @stsopoci, about his struggles with addiction/depression and the need to stay positive. Here is a link to his post, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/importance-of-focusing-on-positive-with-depression-anxiety/. After you read the posts I'd like to hear what you have to say.

Just thinking about the struggle to stay positive when (and especially) if you grew up in a negative environment. For me, it took years to overcome a negative mindset. It took years of training my mind to think in new ways. I used books, therapy, medications, new activities (such as going back to school, etc.).

Just wondering how you became a more positive person?

I find that as a teenager I kept my alcohol secret to myself and never told anyone. Later I took up marijuana, angel dust, cocaine, etc to help medicate my extreme anxiety and my issues with my Dad. I could drink anyone under the table but I never drank with people, I drank alone.
I was angry, depressed, scared of every moment on the planet and didn’t tell anyone. I play many instruments and when I performed was the only time I was happy.
My wife of 45 years stayed with me and later told me she just kept on praying that I would figure out what was wrong. I quit all drugs and alcohol in 1996 oct 13th when I was either going to kill myself or tell myself the truth. It helped to quit but I still had major issues. Psychologist told me my Dad was a complete narcissist and It would take a long time to recover if I could. My wife is an angel.
1. I went to weekly meeting to just talk.
2. I wrote down all of the things I was good at and read them everyday.
3. AA meetings didn’t help
Me but they do help many.
4. Men’s meetings to talk religion or philosophy or literature or sports or anything with people of your age Helped me.
5. Nature and birding frees your spirit.
6. Helping others grows on you and releases endorphins that energize you.

Try anything to feel like you are performing on stage to a million people. And they are screaming Love you love you love you!!!

What a wonderful testimony it touch my heart and I could truly relate, I'm so glad your out of your addiction and living your fullness of life @stsopoci

I tried to quit drinking for 5 years with AA meetings and support from my family and friends and still went back to drinking and other drugs. With untreated GAD it was difficult to live in a very competitive work environment raising a family and trying to keep my head above the water. What I learned, for me, was that I had to take care of myself and quit medicating myself and get professional help. As soon as my self esteem grew stronger, I stopped all alcohol, drugs, etc and stopped for myself.
Now..... the recovery will always be celebrated everyday after that first day of drug free. It takes balanced living, lots of support and check ins to friends and doctors that know you.
Everyday you celebrate the Day and every moment and start seeing things that were always there to enjoy.
I see my grandchildren growing up and becoming young adults.
I would never had seen them if I didn’t face the “truth” that I needed help and had to start taking care of myself.

Great story of your journey from addiction to sobriety, @stsopoci.
I'm wondering who else would like to provide some details regarding insight, experiences or other motivators that help keep you sober?

Hi, @savana1 - wondering if you would share more about how your upbringing impacted your later addiction? Do you feel that you patterned some of your coping style after your mom's behavior?

@hisgrace6992 - what type of childhood hurts do you feel influenced your addictions to meth and alcohol?

@zeph317 - you mentioned a few addictions you had previously, and for a couple of decades. Do you have times when you feel tempted to go back to any of them?

I was raised in an alcoholic dysfunctional family. Genetics play a major role in my alcoholism. Dysfunctional family affected my behaviors and feelings. I drank because I was an alcoholic at an early age. . I am in a program and I know plenty of alcoholics that were raised in a good family environment. The environment I am sure plays some role, but it does not the primary cause. There is a lot of adult children of alcoholics that are not alcoholics. If in a program ACOA they work on behaviors and feeling which can long term damages from a dysfunctional family.