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Recovery Recovery journal

Not hardly sleeping and a really bad headache still. Have had no opioids sense Sunday the 8th of October.
 
What part of the country are you located in? There are quite a few Buddhist options these days, though they’re often little more than an adaptation of twelve step stuff (that isn’t necessarily a bad thing).

Do you have any sleep meds? Perhaps you can work on getting some of those.

What kind of aftercare do you have? This is probably the biggest area rehabs fail their clients, not getting them connected with the aftercare services they need after completing treatment.

In terms of insomnia, there are ways you can learn to manage it. The more I try and force myself to sleep when I’m dealing with bad insomnia, the more frustrating and difficult it can be. Get out or bed, listen to a good radio show, read a good book or listen to a good record. Try going out for a late night walk. Those can be really special times.

At some point with my insomnia I learned to make constructive use of my time awake at night, and it made everything so much easier. Whatever you do, try not to force things and listen to your gut, to rely on the gentler, kinder option. Do what feels right, even if it is as simple as making a cup of hot cocoa or herbal tea.
 
Thanks for the input. They hooked me up with a primary physician and a therapist. Im trying to stay busy cleaning house and finishing trimming my outdoor plants. I'm living in Portland Oregon.
i have an appointment today with the Dr.
 
I believe there is a Refuge Recovery meeting in Portland. There is also a Zen Center there you might be able to go to and find out about resources for Buddhist recovery communities. Likewise, a phenomenal teacher named Debrah Eden Tull used to live in your city, and she would definitely be a good resource if you were looking into worthwhile Buddhist communities. Perhaps visit her site and try to reach out and contact her.

There is also MBSR. I highly suggest finding yourself an MSBR training course in your city. I’m sure there is a good one there. They tend to cost a little money, but they’re totally worth it. A great place to learn basics of meditation and begin to start your own practice.

Let us know how the doctor goes. Most treatment centers hook people up with less than great MDs, but hopefully your experience is positive. You can always find different medical professionals to work with if the ones they set you up with aren’t to your liking.

Btw, how do you like Portland? Such a wonderful city. I loved my very brief encounter with that place.

You also have access to a lot of amazing nature in your area. I highly, highly recommend checking some hikes and trail out. Spending time in forests is at least as if not more beneficial than most therapists. Look into forest bathing, there is a link in the SL directory. Amazing stuff.
 
Thanks for the input. I love Portland and I have a small rv and spend lots of time in nature. I go and soak at the many hot springs in the surrounding area. Especially as a glass artist there's lots of tourch workers.
 
13 days clean so far. Still getting headaches and can't sleep. Stomach finally feeling better. :)
 
Nice! Keep up the good work. Do you have anything fun planned for this weekend? Hiking perhaps? :)
 
It's really raining, that time of year. I'm still trimming my harvest. Unfortunately the pain in my bad leg is awakened. Going to have to figure out how to manage it. Crushed my leg in a motorcycle accident 7 years ago.
 
Congrats to you a fellow bench burner. It sounds like you a really on the right path this final time. I'm not fully there yet just wanted to add my support. Are you still blowing glass during this time period or taking a break? Over the last few years I have switched occupations but still have my shop set up and work occasionally when I feel up to it or have gifts to make. I'm seeing an addiction specialist and we have a love hate relationship. I keep waiting for the right time as I want to detox in a center when I can but certain circumstances keep getting in the way. Family illness. This is inspiring for me please continue to update your recovery journal. Keep up the grate work you are doing and know your story has touched me. Hope those headaches go away I was thinking the torch might have something to do with that but who knows. Your doing great.
 
Where did you guys learn to blow glass? That sounds like such a cool profession/hobby. Like ceramics, but better :)
 
When I tried going cold turkey, I had the same issues. I could not sleep no matter what I did, and the headaches were awful. I never found a cure for the headaches but for sleep I took seroquel. You would need a prescription, and it is certainly habit forming. But taking it for a few days or a week will not cause you to develop a habit. I was able to get my doctor to write me a prescription for one week, I believe it was 100 mg. That put me to sleep like a baby, and I slept through the night without waking up. My issue was it made me sleep too much. I typically slept about 11 hours after dosing.

Some people will say to avoid it, but as long as you dont take it for more than a week I would say you should be good. To me, sleep was the most important thing. It made me feel better, passed time, and there is nothing worse than tossing and turning all night feeling like crap with nothing but your thoughts. THAT will drive you nuts.
 
Siriuxx said:
When I tried going cold turkey, I had the same issues. I could not sleep no matter what I did, and the headaches were awful. I never found a cure for the headaches but for sleep I took seroquel. You would need a prescription, and it is certainly habit forming. But taking it for a few days or a week will not cause you to develop a habit. I was able to get my doctor to write me a prescription for one week, I believe it was 100 mg. That put me to sleep like a baby, and I slept through the night without waking up. My issue was it made me sleep too much. I typically slept about 11 hours after dosing.

Some people will say to avoid it, but as long as you dont take it for more than a week I would say you should be good. To me, sleep was the most important thing. It made me feel better, passed time, and there is nothing worse than tossing and turning all night feeling like crap with nothing but your thoughts. THAT will drive you nuts.
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Seroquel is a serious drug, no doubt. But I'm not aware of it having addictive properties. I would say the main reason to exercise caution with seroquel is simply due to the strong effects that atypical anti-psychotics (e.g. Seroquel, zyprexa, abilfy) possess. Using them for sleep will work, but that's a bit like using a sledge hammer to drive a tack.
 
I'm mostly self tought, took a few classes from some top people to learn a few tricks. Now you can learn anything on utube.
 
The past two weeks or so have been really hard, slipped up once. Found some D's in my bedroom.
Almost instant guilt, well when I came down. Still having stomach issues and bad headaches. Trying to stay busy as much as I can with little energy. Gonna try a Budist based recovery meeting tonight. Can't wait till I'm clear headed so I can melt some glass and get on with my life. Unfortunately temptation is all around me. This just might be the heroin capital. Just trying to take it one day at a time.
 
Keep you head up Oregonpothead, you'll figure it out sooner or later. What meeting are you going to check out tonight?
 
Budist refugee, its a Budist based recovery program. I'll let you know more when I do. Thanks for the kind words.
 
It's called "Budist Refugee" with one "d" and no "h"? Interesting, never heard of it.

I am learning about more Buddhist recovery groups out there though, more than just Refuge Recovery. Seems like a lot of Zen centers have their own Buddhist recovery groups too, like the San Francisco Zen Center etc.

Thanks, I'm always enjoy learning about 12 step alternatives out there.
 
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