ImDeliriant
Bluelighter
I have 5-9 months I'm going to be on probation, not drug related. But when I try to go sober I get depressed and discouraged so I always go back to drugs. Are there any tips for living sober and not relapsing? Thanks!
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H&R Moderators: streaM Freak
How To Become Sober?
- Thread starter ImDeliriant
- Start date
DukeOfKings
Greenlighter
I'm not super experienced but I find the reason I get depressed when not using drugs is because I'm not satisfied with other parts of my life and I use drugs to make up for it. I think you should find other hobbies or interests that you really enjoy it really helps. Also whenever I feel the need, I ask myself why I'm doing it, if I can't give myself a good reason it gives me more determination not to do it. Thats all I got.
ImDeliriant
Bluelighter
Thanks! I was depressed before the drugs due to having mental problems. It is just how my brain chemicals are, but I self prescribe. So over probation I figured I would just quit for a while.
cj
Bluelight Crew
Have you ever been screened for depression by a mental health professional? Many people with depression and anxiety disorders self medicate with drugs. Outside of that issue its important to find fun things to do with your free time. When using drugs sitting on your couch surfing the net or playing video games all day can be perfectly fine. When sober that stuff is horrible boring. So there is a good chance your going to have to change your free time activities to things that require more activity.
Another important thing is avoiding and copping with triggers. Basically try not to be around the drugs you are trying to quit. The old NA saying is if you hang out at a barbershop odds are your gonna get a haircut.
If you post a little bit more about what drugs your trying to quit and your current specific problems people can give better advice if you feel comfortable.
Another important thing is avoiding and copping with triggers. Basically try not to be around the drugs you are trying to quit. The old NA saying is if you hang out at a barbershop odds are your gonna get a haircut.
If you post a little bit more about what drugs your trying to quit and your current specific problems people can give better advice if you feel comfortable.
ImDeliriant
Bluelighter
I was actually screened by a professional. Thanks for the help!
Burnt Offerings
Bluelight Crew
There's no way to do it other than just doing it, I guess. I was on probation for a felony charge (controlled substance related) and I quit all substances for a year (other than cigarettes...I actually reached the height of my nicotine addiction while on probation, ironically probably doing more damage to my health than had I not been on probation. Luckily I quit smoking about 4 or 5 years ago). At that time I kept off drugs with the thought of "I get random drug screenings 6 days out of the week and I don't want to go to prison for a dirty UA"...
I was miserable the whole time, though, and immediately started doing drugs again once my probation ended.
If you want to make a long-term goal out of quitting drugs, and not just a temporary, I-don't-wanna-get-incarcerated hiatus like I took, I'd suggest that you spend some time thinking hard about what you're passionate about. Speaking personally, besides drugs, there are really only a couple topics that I'm genuinely passionate about. One is my academic field (History...I love reading about and studying the past) and the other is my career (commercial fishing). Whenever someone asks what I do in life, I reply "I'm a fisherman" (I certainly wouldn't reply, "I'm a drug user!" LOL) That's what I love to do...that's what gives meaning and purpose to my life, being on the ocean and catching fish. If I didn't have my career I'd probably go completely out-of-my-mind apeshit crazy and end up on the evening news
As I've said in another thread, that's really one of the crucial things people need to have, is some meaning they've constructed for themselves in what is probably a meaningless existence (LIFE). Whether it's participation in a support group of other substance (ab)users, or volunteering your time somewhere, or a job you're passionate about, or a religion / political movement you're affiliated with, or simply a hobby / pastime that you really enjoy & which you find healthy / good for your own state of mind...gotta have something like that in your life. Because, just speaking IMO/IME, drugs do not add meaning to one's life (although admittedly I love drugs, both as an intellectual topic to study & "practically", as things to use and get high on).
I was miserable the whole time, though, and immediately started doing drugs again once my probation ended.
If you want to make a long-term goal out of quitting drugs, and not just a temporary, I-don't-wanna-get-incarcerated hiatus like I took, I'd suggest that you spend some time thinking hard about what you're passionate about. Speaking personally, besides drugs, there are really only a couple topics that I'm genuinely passionate about. One is my academic field (History...I love reading about and studying the past) and the other is my career (commercial fishing). Whenever someone asks what I do in life, I reply "I'm a fisherman" (I certainly wouldn't reply, "I'm a drug user!" LOL) That's what I love to do...that's what gives meaning and purpose to my life, being on the ocean and catching fish. If I didn't have my career I'd probably go completely out-of-my-mind apeshit crazy and end up on the evening news
As I've said in another thread, that's really one of the crucial things people need to have, is some meaning they've constructed for themselves in what is probably a meaningless existence (LIFE). Whether it's participation in a support group of other substance (ab)users, or volunteering your time somewhere, or a job you're passionate about, or a religion / political movement you're affiliated with, or simply a hobby / pastime that you really enjoy & which you find healthy / good for your own state of mind...gotta have something like that in your life. Because, just speaking IMO/IME, drugs do not add meaning to one's life (although admittedly I love drugs, both as an intellectual topic to study & "practically", as things to use and get high on).
manboychef
Bluelighter
From your lips to gods ears Burnt Offerings.
I am going to have to say that you should look into seeing a psychologist in order to analyze your behaviors.
I also have to say that CJ makes an excellent point in saying that what you did using may not stack up as well while you are sober. The lifestyle of drug use is very busy and you constantly have short term goals to take care of. I garden. It gives me peace of mind and keeps me busy. Lately I haven't been gardening too much, but I have my cousin coming to help me do the summer mulch.
I am going to have to say that you should look into seeing a psychologist in order to analyze your behaviors.
I also have to say that CJ makes an excellent point in saying that what you did using may not stack up as well while you are sober. The lifestyle of drug use is very busy and you constantly have short term goals to take care of. I garden. It gives me peace of mind and keeps me busy. Lately I haven't been gardening too much, but I have my cousin coming to help me do the summer mulch.
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
For me the question of how to become sober is really a question of how to awaken and be more mindful in my every day life. To that extent I use insight meditation, recovery oriented support groups and lots of education on the stuff I am dealing with to help me learn and get some real foundational practice in with the best possible tools I can find.
Neither one of those three things, the meditation, the meetings or the education alone would help me become (rather to continue to work on being) sober. For myself, and I have seen it work for many others, this trifecta has worked really well. Integrating healthy eating, good hygeine, self care, yearly physicals and the necessarily doctors visits, as well as hobbies and whatever else you are passionate about and helps you become healthier is really helpful.
Personally, treating my mental health issues (PTSD, anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) has been key to becoming sober, possibly more so than traditional drug treatments. The therapists and councilors I have worked with for years, though now I do not see her nearly as often, has been absolutely necessary. Finding a really compitant psychiatrist who I felt safe and was able to open up with about my challanges in order to get the proper medication has been such a god send. Getting on the right meds has literally saved my life. If you struggle with mental illness, you need to get yourself a good psychology and psychiatrist asap.
It will take some work and trial and error (remember, you can always "fire" your doctor if they are not up the standards you require; they are getting paid to work with you after all, so they better be doing their fucking job well) before you find the best fits for you. It is so important people with mental health challanges get the support they need though, it makes all the difference in the world - so much more in fact than one can even realize when in the midst of experiencing an episode of mental illness.
The most positive work you put in on yourself, the easier and more rewarding staying sober and healthy becomes.
Neither one of those three things, the meditation, the meetings or the education alone would help me become (rather to continue to work on being) sober. For myself, and I have seen it work for many others, this trifecta has worked really well. Integrating healthy eating, good hygeine, self care, yearly physicals and the necessarily doctors visits, as well as hobbies and whatever else you are passionate about and helps you become healthier is really helpful.
Personally, treating my mental health issues (PTSD, anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) has been key to becoming sober, possibly more so than traditional drug treatments. The therapists and councilors I have worked with for years, though now I do not see her nearly as often, has been absolutely necessary. Finding a really compitant psychiatrist who I felt safe and was able to open up with about my challanges in order to get the proper medication has been such a god send. Getting on the right meds has literally saved my life. If you struggle with mental illness, you need to get yourself a good psychology and psychiatrist asap.
It will take some work and trial and error (remember, you can always "fire" your doctor if they are not up the standards you require; they are getting paid to work with you after all, so they better be doing their fucking job well) before you find the best fits for you. It is so important people with mental health challanges get the support they need though, it makes all the difference in the world - so much more in fact than one can even realize when in the midst of experiencing an episode of mental illness.
The most positive work you put in on yourself, the easier and more rewarding staying sober and healthy becomes.
ImDeliriant
Bluelighter
Thanks for the help!