The most imporant thing I have learned since becoming sober.

[motherofearth]

any drug that i used while sober made me wish i had my doc so badly that i went out and got it

I relate to this a lot. Perhaps it is because I've never put enough time together to get grounded enough to have a drink or whatever else, but substances other than my DOC just make me tense and want to grab some opiates for the comedown/hangover.

 

[caseface99]

^^ This is because a lot of substances release some of the same neurotransmitters, So doing one substance is like a small taste of the one your used too, at least thats how your brain reacts too it. Alcohol, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines and benzos all share one or two neurotransmitters, so they could all potentially cause cravings for another.

 

[motherofearth]

^^ This is because a lot of substances release some of the same neurotransmitters, So doing one substance is like a small taste of the one your used too, at least thats how your brain reacts too it. Alcohol, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines and benzos all share one or two neurotransmitters, so they could all potentially cause cravings for another.

This is really helpful to know, and makes a lot of sense in hindsight. Thank you.

 

[caseface99]

No problem! It really explained a lot for me when I learned about that as well, and believe me I've tested it. Tried getting off drugs many times without quitting everything, was never remotely successful until this time since I've been abstinent from everything.

 

[neversickanymore]

I think the most important thing I have learned is that we must put our recovery first, its number one, above all else.. but by doing that everything else gets so much better. better than if we had put it first, not even considering the fact that if we slip into active addiction then everything else is shot anyway.

 

[caseface99]

So true NSA.


The most import thing I've learned are the things I've learned about myself, from this whole process... From the beginning of my use to the current point in recovery I'm at. It's been a long, fucked up experience, but FUCK have a learned a lot about myself, not the mention the universe, through it.

 

[5000m]

the obsession to use goes away

Yes and no.. it might go away for a while but can return stronger than ever out of the blue. I've learned to never underestimate the beast.

 

[caseface99]

^^ While you're recovering, getting healthy and putting the pieces of your life back together, the addict is ALWAYS in the corner of your brain, doing 'pushups' and growing stronger, ready to strike the moment you take a drink or drug.

 

[Not Again]

I'm not sober now, but when I was ( not long ago 5-6 months) I learned not to do this drug again.

Humans suck , we know what will happen but we still do the fucking thing.

I have however stopped drinking. That's something I would always do no matter what my DOC was at the time. Funny how I used to love it and now when I see ppl drinking it I feel sick to my stomach. lol

 

[CHNO]

I've never been really hooked up on any drug (and never tried opiates), but had times of excessive substance abuse and times when I did nothing. For me the most important thing is always to identify the reason why I am currently using drugs; if the answer to that question is not something like "Man, I was at the club with my dudes last weekend and had a really good time, and then a friend of a friend showed up and had some [insert funny party drug] with him, so we tried it. Let me tell you we were having a hell of a time then :D", I feel the need to further analyze my usage of drugs.

In that sense the most important thing is to be honest to yourself. It's not like I was running around sober and clean, met the wrong guy at the wrong time, tried a drug and suddenly was all hooked up and it ruined my life. I believe most people who are truly satisfied are able to handle it. So there must be an emotional reason (e.g. inability to cope with a certain sad event or general depressions), which may not even be identified, that they are trying to "tackle". In reality they are not tackling the issue, but masking it. That being the reason of someone's drug use makes it extremely difficult staying sober.

What I believe is that if your life was not enjoyable before you had a drug problem, it probably won't be after you successfully kicked the drug. It works to occupy yourself for a while with things like finding hobbies, traveling etc (and maybe this will even "cure" you, as you finally realize that this gives you the pleasure you always were seeking). But if it's another deep lying emotional issue, I think one should really try to tackle it (with professional help) or otherwise staying sober will be a hell of a fight.

Good luck to everyone

 

[motherofearth]

^^ While you're recovering, getting healthy and putting the pieces of your life back together, the addict is ALWAYS in the corner of your brain, doing 'pushups' and growing stronger, ready to strike the moment you take a drink or drug.

As true as this may be for me, I hate the sloganeering and the personification of an addiction. It is evocative of people who call drugs evil, for me at least.

 

[Gratuitous Grace]

What's the most important thing you have learned since you became sober?

At the risk of pointing out the totally obvious, what I had to learn by experience (despite being told countless times) is that you can't *just* stop drinking (or doing whatever it is you do) and expect to pick up immediately with your former (fulfilling?) life. Putting down the drink or drug is just the beginning ... the prerequisite, if you will, as opposed to the main event. The main event becomes day-to-day living -- hopefully in a more satisfying, happy, compassionate, and charitable way. It's a ton of results-oriented work -- joyous work -- as opposed to some sort of guarantee. Like, just wait it out and the reward will come? No way.

[OK ... given everything said so far in this thread, I feel the need to add a disclaimer: I drank alcoholically for 20 years and haven't had a drink in almost 6 years. I do, however, use psychedelics occasionally. I feel confident and safe -- for now -- making certain psychedelics a part of my life. And they have the *opposite* effect of triggering cravings for my "DOC." That said, I know that some folks would want to have this information before crediting anything I have to say on the topic of sobriety ... so there you have it.]