The Merry [but not Merry] Month of May

[ethnobot781]

Do you find yourself having to have lots of distractions? It almost sounds like the opposite--that you purposely focus on the cravings and face them rather than distracting yourself. I have been trying to do this more in my life in general (face things rather than mask them) and I never thought about applying this to habits I want to change. (I may not have addictions but I have plenty of bad habits!)

It is definitely easier if I keep busy but I try to avoid random scattershot distractions. It is much more satisfying to do something constructive and/or try to develop or rekindle some cool new (or old) interests. Pure distraction can often lead to procrastination of stuff you really need to be doing especially if you're initially not feeling at your best.

You are right though, although it is easier to have other things to keep my mind occupied if necessary it is also a useful strategy to face cravings, withdrawals and what have you head on. This is especially true if, like me, you often get scared before a quit by imagining a string of worst-case scenarios 8) It defuses the "legend" of WDs and allows you to focus your resources on the reality. You might then find that reality much easier to distract yourself from than your previous worries.

 

[LundiMusic]

Have you ever tried meditation?? I swear it has saved me from a few addictions
In fact the last time I went cold turkey from DHC, diazepam and alcohol at the same time, I went on a Buddhist retreat, I felt normal after 5 days. Magical stuff, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to escape places where drugs are readily available

 

[ethnobot781]

Have you ever tried meditation?? I swear it has saved me from a few addictions
In fact the last time I went cold turkey from DHC, diazepam and alcohol at the same time, I went on a Buddhist retreat, I felt normal after 5 days. Magical stuff, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to escape places where drugs are readily available

It's something I've been using, yes. I've tried to pick up things I used to do or do more of before my drug use escalated. Meditation was something I continued to do but far less than before. I've started to do my old two sessions daily, gradually building up the session length over time, and it has helped tremendously. I've always found breath control techniques useful for relaxation and energization so I've mainly concentrated on meditation types involving these techniques. Also visualizations which are particularly useful for goal-oriented meditations.

Sorry I haven't updated for a while. We've had a spell of incredibly brilliantly sunny weather, which is rare in my neck of the woods but which I always love, and so I've been spending as much time out of doors as I possibly can. This has also helped and so while it is still a mental battle it is one that I'm winning.

I'm approaching the final week of the project now and so I'm taking stock of where I go from here and what I continue with after June 2nd. I'm currently thinking most of it. I don't want to backslide too much after everything I've been through with this. I'm feeling good physically & finding new mental & physical ways to deal with increased pain. The mental fight continues but practice certainly seems to help

I can't see myself not resuming psychedelics on occasion but that's all I've used them for years & I can review that decision if I seem to be developing any problems with them. I definitely don't want to restart tobacco use. It's the most damaging thing I was doing, the least rewarding & has been the biggest mental struggle to avoid. I've got time to think anyway.

 

[LundiMusic]

It makes me happy to read that you are doing so well my friend
Best of luck in your final week!!
Just make sure you have a plan for afterwards so that the ole PAWS craving doesnt get the best of you.
Im sure it wont, you sound incredibly disciplined and mentally strong.
Nice one!!