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[really? the Life Advise forum has no "Advise" prefix??) - Dealing with shit without drugs?

ChemicallyEnhanced

ChemicallyEnhanced

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 29, 2018
Messages
10,400
Location
UK
Last night my sort of loneliness and mental trauma hit me hard out of the blue (the way it can when some slight random thing triggers it) and I "coped" by taking 20+ Dihydrocodeine and like 4g of Gabapentin.
Which obviously worked lol.

But I realised I've NEVER found any coping mechanisms that actually work (healthy ones). I've just used alcohol or drugs since I was 17 and before that it was either binging and purging or starvation...

What do you guys do as like a coping mechanism that actually healthy (or at least not damaging/problematic)?
 
There are lots of threads and discussion on the recovery forums.

Personally, i find light exercise in public places, a companion animal, an intellectual or mental hobby, a physical hobby, and the occasional date keep me sober enough.

I have to admit BL has really helped with loneliness on a temporary basis from time to time too.

Not in real life though. People here too weird to try and meet in person.
 
I also think it has been said a lot about this already, which is good of course. But sometimes I have the impression, what's needed first is: getting really sick and annoyed of ones old destructive ways of coping. Without that catalyst, one could say, chances are high that every measure one takes in that direction (of installing new coping skills) will be just half-ass-ed. Cause honestly, like you wrote, a chemical intervention a.k.a. drugs 'work' and involve the least effort. But sure, the half-ass-ing can contribute to getting tired of this whole business too..

Looking at the flaws of the substance-based approach can by itself make healthier alternatives look more attractive and doable, is what I'm saying I guess. Habitual drug use often involves pretty short-looped thinking, at least for me, so broadening the view may help getting things into a different perspective that supports change. But sadly, looking ahead confidently is not an easy thing to do in our times, I find. :rolleyes:

..my two cents.
 
Try to do channel that angst and those negative feelings into something creative?
Have you considered a sport?

I am like you however; the smallest setback and 45 minutes later, my body and mind are numb and full o drugds.
 
I like swimming. Has to be wild water though. The prickling salt water of the sea, that almost feels fizzy, shockingly cold refreshment, with the sun blazing down and glittering. The smooth water of a lake or a river on a warm summer's evening, sliding over your skin like silk.

There's nothing like it. It's a whole - body experience which immerses all your senses. I never feel quite so peaceful and so alive at the same time. I achieve that rare state where I'm just happy being alive and I don't think but just am.

I'm incredibly fortunate in this respect in that I live a mere 20 min bus ride from the sea, a 6 mile hike from the nearest mountain lake, and literally a stroll down the lane from our local river.
If you can get to somewhere like that, I can only highly recommend it ; but make sure it's safe to swim. Never go into any wild water, no matter how tame it looks, without first asking someone local about undercurrents, dangerous things like hidden rocks, etc
 
The UltimateFixx said:
I like swimming. Has to be wild water though. The prickling salt water of the sea, that almost feels fizzy, shockingly cold refreshment, with the sun blazing down and glittering. The smooth water of a lake or a river on a warm summer's evening, sliding over your skin like silk.

There's nothing like it. It's a whole - body experience which immerses all your senses. I never feel quite so peaceful and so alive at the same time. I achieve that rare state where I'm just happy being alive and I don't think but just am.

I'm incredibly fortunate in this respect in that I live a mere 20 min bus ride from the sea, a 6 mile hike from the nearest mountain lake, and literally a stroll down the lane from our local river.
If you can get to somewhere like that, I can only highly recommend it ; but make sure it's safe to swim. Never go into any wild water, no matter how tame it looks, without first asking someone local about undercurrents, dangerous things like hidden rocks, etc
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There's nothing like a body of water to get your mind right. During the swim it is so refreshing and then when you get out you are all relaxed and shit. I have lived near the water all of my life ( in Florida ) and now in the Great Lake State. Love the water.
 
Pumpkin2021 said:
There's nothing like a body of water to get your mind right. During the swim it is so refreshing and then when you get out you are all relaxed and shit. I have lived near the water all of my life ( in Florida ) and now in the Great Lake State. Love the water.
Click to expand...
Yeah. I like to say that it puts me back in my right mind.

Specially the sea. All my childhood summer holidays were spent on the beautiful island of Sylt in the North Sea. Those were my happiest times before all the shit started. Just the scent and sound of the sea and the breeze on my face and the feel of sand beneath my feet takes me right back there, and I'm that carefree little boy again.
 
The UltimateFixx said:
Yeah. I like to say that it puts me back in my right mind.

Specially the sea. All my childhood summer holidays were spent on the beautiful island of Sylt in the North Sea. Those were my happiest times before all the shit started. Just the scent and sound of the sea and the breeze on my face and the feel of sand beneath my feet takes me right back there, and I'm that carefree little boy again.
Click to expand...
It is truly magical and how lucky you were to have that as a child. I have only experienced the wonder of the Atlantic Ocean and several of Michigan's Great lakes. Just the sight and the smell gives me such a peaceful, easy feeling la la la.......
 
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