Question about quitting.

[Bluecheese51]

Hey yall. I've browsed this site for yeeeears now but just now made an account because I need some advice. I've been dabbling with meth for maybe 3 and a half years now. My ROA is insufflation(I think thats spelled correctly?) But im not a stranger to smoking from time to time. Nobody but those ive used with and my hookup know about my problem. I dont use daily and never have, usually just 2-3 days on with about 5-7 days off and the most ill spend is 60 bucks. Maybe this is an addict thing to say but I feel like I'm a high functioning user, which is why I want to get rid of this vermin. I was clean for roughly 6 months up until this whole covid bullshit started shaking things up and I had a relapse in early January. Things have really been looking up for me and I'm terrified that I'll ruin it all. I know there's no quick fix to addiction, but for those of you who have succeeded in getting and staying clean I'd really appreciate any advice that made a difference for you. What did you tell yourself every day. How did you keep from picking up a dose when the only thing urging you to do so, wasn't craving, but that skewed inner voice telling you its just as okay as sneaking another cookie out of the jar

 

[Bluecheese51]

Right now I'm working on a list to look over when I'm feeling weak. Best of luck to all of us.

Why:
• because you love her with all of your being.
• because you love her children like they were your own.
• because you promised yourself too many times that you would.
• because there is more to life than THAT
• because you're too strong to be brought down by nazi, wartime tactics
• because mom, dad, and josh need you more than ever
• because you know better
• because you're a good man and you fucking know it
• because sis would cry

 

[MsDiz]

I think you answered your own question. I’m not an addict and have never been one but I’m the daughter of one. I know it’s hard to quit and I know it’s hard to stay clean but I also know the longer you stay clean the stronger you become! The more you’re able to say no to that inner voice the better.

 

[MsDiz]

Right now I'm working on a list to look over when I'm feeling weak. Best of luck to all of us.

Why:
• because you love her with all of your being.
• because you love her children like they were your own.
• because you promised yourself too many times that you would.
• because there is more to life than THAT
• because you're too strong to be brought down by nazi, wartime tactics
• because mom, dad, and josh need you more than ever
• because you know better
• because you're a good man and you fucking know it
• because sis would cry

Anytime you wanna use look at that list. That’s a good list!

 

[Rio Fantastic]

You've done all the benefits of sobriety. That's awesome. I'd recommend adding to it a little - those are the benefits of sobriety, how about the drawbacks of meth? The way the comedowns feel, the effect it has on your mental/physical health/wallet etc - every negative about it. Write those out as well. Then, to be honest, write out what meth gives you. What benefits does it bring? Finally, what are the drawbacks of sobriety? Writing all this out and reading over it when you're feeling weak, putting it in black and white so you see clearly how insane it is to carry on using meth can make the difference if you feel tempted. Good luck!

 

[Jabberwocky]

You've done all the benefits of sobriety. That's awesome. I'd recommend adding to it a little - those are the benefits of sobriety, how about the drawbacks of meth? The way the comedowns feel, the effect it has on your mental/physical health/wallet etc - every negative about it. Write those out as well. Then, to be honest, write out what meth gives you. What benefits does it bring? Finally, what are the drawbacks of sobriety? Writing all this out and reading over it when you're feeling weak, putting it in black and white so you see clearly how insane it is to carry on using meth can make the difference if you feel tempted. Good luck!

We should start a thread just on the negative aspects of meth - it’d run into pages.

First point: it’s neurotoxic battery acid that impacts your ability to think, feel, and remember.

 

[Rio Fantastic]

We should start a thread just on the negative aspects of meth - it’d run into pages.

First point: it’s neurotoxic battery acid that impacts your ability to think, feel, and remember.

Of course, but I'm talking about how it's personally negatively impacted your own life. What I'm suggesting is a SMART exercise called the cost-benefit analysis, and a lot of people, myself included, find it really helpful to look over when having cravings. Cravings have a unique way of clouding my mind, and I find that suddenly all of the obvious costs of engaging in my addiction sudddenly lose all of their importance and salience in the face of an opportunity to dramatically change how I'm feeling in that moment. A CBA that has been written out when I have a clearer, saner perspective helps me to remember why I'm quitting and the likely repercussions of me giving in.

How are you doing today?

 

[Jabberwocky]

Of course, but I'm talking about how it's personally negatively impacted your own life. What I'm suggesting is a SMART exercise called the cost-benefit analysis, and a lot of people, myself included, find it really helpful to look over when having cravings. Cravings have a unique way of clouding my mind, and I find that suddenly all of the obvious costs of engaging in my addiction sudddenly lose all of their importance and salience in the face of an opportunity to dramatically change how I'm feeling in that moment. A CBA that has been written out when I have a clearer, saner perspective helps me to remember why I'm quitting and the likely repercussions of me giving in.

How are you doing today?

Interesting idea. I’m thinking about going to SMART recovery meetings here although I’m feeling pretty on top of things just at present.

 

[Rio Fantastic]

Interesting idea. I’m thinking about going to SMART recovery meetings here although I’m feeling pretty on top of things just at present.

I honestly can't recommend them enough. They're awesome. It's program doesn't just teach you how to resist drugs but a bunch of general life skills that apply to making your life better holistically, which I much prefer to the hyperfocus of 12-step groups. I could write a book about all the ways I prefer SMART to 12-step, but for now i'll just leave it at a strong recommendation to try them. There are online meetings that I've found really helpful as well - they have UK-based ones (but open to anyone from anywhere) that are run on Adobe Connect using a mic, as well as US-based zoom ones, so you should check one out. If you're anything like me then you will get a LOT out of it.