How to quit when you don't want to, but before you're forced to anyway

[K10dunst]

Hi guys,

The issues that come with our hobbies are nothing new to me. I've quit before, and I'm at a point where I'm trying to quit again. There is one difference this time, though.

The first time I quit, it was the stereotypical story: lost everything, rock bottom, turned it around, started new. What I'm trying to do this time I think is arguably harder.

I'm trying to quit while I'm ahead. I've seen where this goes, and I know what I have to lose. I still love doing it, I still want to do it. So I'm in pickle. This is what it must be like for smokers trying to quit: there is no real "rock bottom" for them usually where they're forced to, they almost always end up quitting at a time they still like to and want to smoke.

Needless to say, it's been hard to stay on the wagon. Any advice?

 

[LilbabiC]

My best advice to get clean and stay that way: Be as desperate to stay clean as you were to find and use drugs. I wanted to be clean so badly that I outed myself to everyone in my life. I stopped hiding my drug use in the closet. Every time I felt that urge to use I'd call a clean friend or a family member. One time I went and asked a stranger on the street to help me. Also, I am not much for NA but, the part about changing people, places and things is certainly true.

 

[RedRum OG]

What drug are you on? Makes a big difference in how i would recommend distracting yourself and recovering

Find a hobby, new friends, exercise, eat like a hippie

 

[Pariahprose]

My best advice to get clean and stay that way: Be as desperate to stay clean as you were to find and use drugs. I wanted to be clean so badly that I outed myself to everyone in my life. I stopped hiding my drug use in the closet. Every time I felt that urge to use I'd call a clean friend or a family member. One time I went and asked a stranger on the street to help me. Also, I am not much for NA but, the part about changing people, places and things is certainly true.

I agree. Im not much for NA/AA as the group goes. However,AA and NA both do have some good ideas and concepts. Just never agreed with how at some AA meetings ur not allowed to say ur a drug addict and how at some NA meetings ppl still find it all right 2 drink*rolls eyes at the irony* It would probably still be beneficial to go to some meetings though.If u go to an AA meeting,just say ur an alcoholic or ask the chairman of the meeting if its ok to say ur a drug addict or alcoholic and drug addict. And if u go 2 a NA meeting,avoid the member whos car is parked sideways,slurring their words, and smell like a brewery.

The things AA/NA frown upon or consider ok by somes standards of NA may seem hypocritical and make no sense,but remember they too are suffering from the same disease as you and that it isnt up to you to nit pick their decisions on how they structure their meetings. You are there for yourself so just listen to what they have 2 say,especially for the first few meetings(if u feel the urge 2 introduce a topic during ur first meetings,do so, then just listen...if someone else introduces the topic,once again just listen, u will get something from it even if u think the topic doesnt apply to u).

Also, try reading a chapter in Proverbs each day of the month every month. Im not saying to take it religiously but take it as advice,forget that its coming from the Bible. This may sound crazy,but it does help. The most interesting thing is that no matter how many times u reread Proverbs,u will get something different out of it everytime 2 apply 2 ur current situation that day, I guarantee that...

Pariahprose

 

[lonewolf05]

You have to REALLY want it. People in your position usually don't act until they are at rock bottom. The best thing you can do is move away and start fresh or change your number and only hang around clean people. Start exercising, eating better, etc.

 

[neversickanymore]

If you still want to you probably will

 

[K10dunst]

Hi RedRum, with me it's heroin and painkillers.

 

[K10dunst]

New friends and new hobbies I think are definitely something I have to move to the top of the to do list, you're right

 

[K10dunst]

Ya know, that's pretty insightful advice. Because there have been a couple times in my long history that I bust out of the whole keeping things secret and I kind of came out to the people around me, even my boss at work once because we had a close relationship. And it did wonders when I did. It's hard to explain why, maybe because the people you choose are people that will have some empathy and support you, but it also makes you accountable to change, because you can't hide it anymore, it's now a real and visible presence in your life.

 

[SkagKush]

You have to REALLY want it. People in your position usually don't act until they are at rock bottom.

while this may be true... the OP is reaching out for support and maybe its time he/she does some extra self reflection as to why they want to be sober. For myself i did truly need to stop wanting to use, and anytime i stopped for other reasons i failed miserably. Do some reflection, why is it you truly want to stop besides you know whats down the road. This could be beneficial because then you would be able to convince yourself your ready to stop using.

Others said aa / na wasn't for them, and thats ok, but maybe check it out and see if it works for you. If nothing else, you can find some sober friends and learn some good methods for staying sober, and you may find out it works for you. Speaking for myself, the first time i tried getting straight and went into the rooms is the only time I've successfully remained sober.