Making March A Sober Month

[cyrax99]

I have decided to make March a totally sober month.

I am doing this because I'd like to see my full potential, how I feel, and really re-evaluate my decisions in life.

I am a former opiate addict, mostly Vicodin and oxy. I cleaned up in September of last year, and although I am no longer addicted physically, I still feel a strong pull. I went sober for a long time, battled through PAWS, but I have been using twice a month for the past few months, although I've never gone past that. I am noticing however that for a couple days of fun, I seem to be in "recovery" so to speak for a few days after. It is nothing like full blown withdrawl, but for a few days my energy is depleted, spirits low etc. and I'm sick and tired of it. I want to do a whole month sober, to see how I feel after it.

I want to hear some stories from people who used occasionally and did a long period of sobriety. How did you feel? Did you feel significantly better?

If I wind up realizing that even this occasional use is holding me back and causing me a ton of problems, I'm really going to have to reevaluate my life and decide whether or not it's worth it. I'm really excited to see what this opportunity has to offer, and looking for similar experiences from people here?

If anyone wants to do this with me, I'd be so appreciative

 

[Ph0r.W3-R-m4ny]

good luck, I was gonna do this too but already cracked a 40

 

[Changed]

You know what: I'll join you. I'm going to be doing a 14 day water-only fast starting in 5 days, so this goes along with that.

Post in here if you need any moral support.

 

[delta_9]

You definitely have my support man.
I've been sober for almost 3 months now and I'll be continuing through march as well(I'll likely continue through the majority of this year actually)

Keep us updated.

I'm going to be doing a 14 day water-only fast starting in 5 days, so this goes along with that.

I'd be interested in hearing about your results if you'd be so kind as to share
Please take care to use some electrolytes and/or basic minerals in your water though.

 

[Changed]

I'd be interested in hearing about your results if you'd be so kind as to share
Please take care to use some electrolytes and/or basic minerals in your water though.

Any info on the easiest way to do this?

 

[delta_9]

You can use a liquid mineral supplement and drop the dose in your water.
There are plenty that are neutral in taste/color/pH.
Also salt your water to taste.

 

[cyrax99]

How great, I've never posted in this subforum before, but I am so happy to see you guys are willing to join me. I'd really like this thread for moral support through the month, we could always help each other.

Today I had a rough day and really felt like using before I ever began, but I'm not going to. Very dedicated to this. To anyone else who wants to join, please do, even if you have already used, you can easily stop now and go on this with us

"You know what: I'll join you. I'm going to be doing a 14 day water-only fast starting in 5 days, so this goes along with that."

Sorry to be so ignorant, but isn't fasting not exactly healthy? It was my understanding it led to malnutrition and almost all weight lost is water weight, which is gained back when you begin normal diet again? I understand you're drinking a ton of water, but it just seems like without some food to back it up, you'd be extremely unhealthy?

 

[Changed]

Supposedly it flushes the toxins from your system-- for me, most of those toxins are alcohol, and maybe some toxic air leeching into my skin from living in a city of industry.

According to a more well informed, and infinitely more intelligent moderator than myself, the body eats one pound of fat as fuel after the first couple days of no food. I don't know about losing water weight, because you're ingesting a regular amount (or slightly larger) of water during the fast.

Once you start eating food, you naturally will gain the weight back, but that isn't the point: the point is to rid the body of toxins and destroy any desire for unhealthy food and drink, while simultaneously boosting your capacity for spiritual contentment. If you come off the fast with a triple cheeseburger and a plate of duck-fat fries, you're probably going to come down with a 103* fever and a nasty cold-- thankfully, one usually desires fresh vegetables and fruits after a fast, hopefully creating a healthy pattern of living down the road...

But yeah, back to sobriety: let's do it! Or... not do it!

 

[addictivepersona]

Cyrax, check out The Fasting Thread as I think some of your questions are already answered there.

As far as making March a sober month, I foresee no reason to drink, so I shall join you as well. I've been sober (from all drugs minus alcohol a half dozen times) since August.

 

[cyrax99]

Supposedly it flushes the toxins from your system-- for me, most of those toxins are alcohol, and maybe some toxic air leeching into my skin from living in a city of industry.

According to a more well informed, and infinitely more intelligent moderator than myself, the body eats one pound of fat as fuel after the first couple days of no food. I don't know about losing water weight, because you're ingesting a regular amount (or slightly larger) of water during the fast.

Once you start eating food, you naturally will gain the weight back, but that isn't the point: the point is to rid the body of toxins and destroy any desire for unhealthy food and drink, while simultaneously boosting your capacity for spiritual contentment. If you come off the fast with a triple cheeseburger and a plate of duck-fat fries, you're probably going to come down with a 103* fever and a nasty cold-- thankfully, one usually desires fresh vegetables and fruits after a fast, hopefully creating a healthy pattern of living down the road...

But yeah, back to sobriety: let's do it! Or... not do it!

Firstly I'd like to state that I respect a person's right to do as they please with their body, I'm just wondering is there any scientific proof that fasting rids toxins any more efficiently than just eating healthy? I have discovered most of the "toxin buildup" stuff is quite a myth, as there is no way to really measure the toxins in one's body, and accurately see change to judge it scientifically. Massages and such that claim to "rid your body of toxins" by getting it out of your muscles and such are notoriously false, and have no scientific backing to their claims. The body has a natural mechanism for ridding waste, which is fecal matter, and urine, wouldn't fasting reduce bowel movements, and therefore possibly be less effective? I am just a bit confused here

Cyrax, check out The Fasting Thread as I think some of your questions are already answered there.

As far as making March a sober month, I foresee no reason to drink, so I shall join you as well. I've been sober (from all drugs minus alcohol a half dozen times) since August.

Glad to hear you're joining in :D Be sure to update us throughout the month.

 

[Changed]

I believe the toxins are excreted through your skin, urine, etc... When you do a fast, typically your breathe smells like shit and you notice that your body smells a little weird.

I'm not sure what scientific proof there is (if any) to prove that fasting is healthy, but I know I feel great after the first two days-- better memory and intellectual ability, increase in mood, and feelings of being spiritually 'awake'.

Perhaps it is all placebo--or even harmful for your body-- but I've come to the conclusion that the my own perception of reality is typically the one that is ends up being true :D

 

[n3wt]

I believe the toxins are excreted through your skin, urine, etc... When you do a fast, typically your breathe smells like shit and you notice that your body smells a little weird.

I'm not sure what scientific proof there is (if any) to prove that fasting is healthy, but I know I feel great after the first two days-- better memory and intellectual ability, increase in mood, and feelings of being spiritually 'awake'.

Perhaps it is all placebo--or even harmful for your body-- but I've come to the conclusion that the my own perception of reality is typically the one that is ends up being true :D

I can't imagine it being 'healthy' in the sense that it promotes health, but at the same time I can't see why it would be 'unhealthy' either, as long as you have sufficient fat stores (that's what it's there for.) Though 14 days is pretty long. Your body can burn a pound of fat for roughly 3500 calories, so unless you have 10 pounds of fat to play around with it's likely your body will start consuming muscle mass and possibly organ mass.

As for all the detox nonesense, it's all in your head. The entire concept of 'detoxification' is bunk science. It's one of those BS alternative medicine practices that somehow manages to stick around no matter how many times it's been discredited. Notice they never mention these supposed 'toxins' that your body is all loaded up with by name?

 

[Changed]

I'm 5'11'' ~168 pounds. That'll leave me at approximately 154 pounds, which is pretty normal-- probably more healthy than what I weigh now (though this isn't about weight).

Let's keep this thread on track though-- we've got that big fasting thread if we want to continue the discussion.

 

[Dtergent]

I'm sober now with the exception of bud. This means more staying in. I'm enjoying the rest. My best advice for anyone trying to get sober is to enjoy the clarity of mind from being stable. Also, enjoy being completely honest with your loved ones and family about your day. I know it frees me of some burden.

Thanks for keeping this thread on track, Changed.

I've just posted a bit about detox (and fasting) in an older thread. Go there, and check out the fasting thread if you want.

 

[cyrax99]

Changed, I appreciate you going into detail like that, and after your last post, I am fine with leaving it at that. Sorry if I was asking too many questions, the bottom line is that you have your opinion, I have mine, but that shouldn't make any difference. What you're doing is very similar to me, and we both have one thing in mind, and that's becoming healthier. So with that said, you have my full support brother.

I'd also like the thread to be strictly on topic now for support, sorry for going off in a tangent.

Update on me: I'm really craving some vicodin right now. I have been having a couple nights of rampant insomnia, and am now considering seeing a doctor. Problem is that sleep medications scare me shitless, especially the damage it does to your short term memory loss. I usually get messed up for a single night to get some sleep when this happens, but I am not giving in this time. I need some help from you guys on options I can do. I'm already exercising, taking melatonin, and doing proper sleep rituals. My room is used only for sleeping, it's dark and peaceful, I just can't freaking sleep! I've tried everything.

 

[Changed]

The only thing that really helps me sleep is exercise. I don't like taking melatonin because of the intensity of the dreams it stimulates. What sort of exercise are you doing? I try to run a few miles everyday and even that is sometimes not enough to want to fall into bed at 10pm...

 

[halfoz]

OP you asked if anyone had experience with using and then quitting and how it felt:

i used HEAVILY for a few years, but towards the end of my using it got more towards the occasionally side.

when i quit, everything got better. like REMARKABLY better. life was still life. bills still had to be paid. problems still occurred, but my ability to deal with life and to just feel.... normal... was tremendously improved.

i applaud you for taking a shot at living clean. i'd strongly recommend you find a Narcotics Anonymous group in your area - search at NA.org for meeting locations - so that you can have a local support group all trying to do the same thing you're going to do: live clean one day at a time.

i've been living clean for awhile and life is good. no way i'd go back. not worth it at all.

 

[MynameisnotDeja]

Hey there. I'm always sober, so I'm with ya.

 

[cyrax99]

The only thing that really helps me sleep is exercise. I don't like taking melatonin because of the intensity of the dreams it stimulates. What sort of exercise are you doing? I try to run a few miles everyday and even that is sometimes not enough to want to fall into bed at 10pm...

I have a different experience with melatonin. It does not help me fall asleep any faster, but it does help keep me asleep. I notoriously have a problem with staying asleep, and it corrects this. I have never been a heavy dreamer, and have noticed no increase in dreams since using it. It really is the only option for me, because anything OTC like Diphenhydramine or Doxylymine etc. give me HORRENDOUS jet lag the next day, I wake up more tired than I went to sleep as.

As for my exercise, I do lifting and running. I'm really into running, and will be doing a marathon this year, now that half marathons are not overly difficult for me. I hike with my father quite a bit too, only because he likes hiking, it isn't my cup of tea though. I do it for the exercise, but I find hiking to be quite monotonous and don't feel like it really exerts me very heavily. I enioy running because it really wears me out, makes me feel much greater than hiking/walking, and it is much more enjoyable.

OP you asked if anyone had experience with using and then quitting and how it felt:

i used HEAVILY for a few years, but towards the end of my using it got more towards the occasionally side.

when i quit, everything got better. like REMARKABLY better. life was still life. bills still had to be paid. problems still occurred, but my ability to deal with life and to just feel.... normal... was tremendously improved.

i applaud you for taking a shot at living clean. i'd strongly recommend you find a Narcotics Anonymous group in your area - search at NA.org for meeting locations - so that you can have a local support group all trying to do the same thing you're going to do: live clean one day at a time.

i've been living clean for awhile and life is good. no way i'd go back. not worth it at all.

Good for you brother, thanks for sharing that, very relevant to what I was looking for as far as responses go in this thread. Great work, thanks for your support as well. As for NA, I have attended them, and do not like them. Most are religious, which I disagree with in terms of recovery. They wanted us to "admit we were helpless to our addiction," and if that was the case, resistance would be futile. I know my own irresponsible decisions got me into trouble when I was an addict, and that I used my power to get there, but also used the same power to get out of it. It is all about how you personally apply your motivation and dedication. I've found the non-religious minority of NA meetings too, and I still didn't like them. To me it seems constantly focusing on your sobriety really only makes me think about it more than I do. After a while, you start thinking about substances less and less the longer you abstain, and I think that is far more what I am looking to do, rather than CONSTANTLY reminiscing about past use. To each their own though :D!

Hey there. I'm always sober, so I'm with ya.

Keep it up. Do you have any past history of addiction? If so, share with us.

 

[cyrax99]

Bumping because I want to hear some more stories and discussion, plus need some support.

Meeting my ex girlfriend tomorrow, it is going to be a rather emotional discussion as I have to tell her I cannot get back with her. My cravings will go through the roof with the anxiety and stress I will be facing, I already am having those problems, and they will surely get worse. Seeking suggestions to help the cravings, and to get my mind off of it?