Sober 96 Days BORED to Death....

[Captain.Heroin]

I have a hard time with PTSD, and I have a hard time being thankful for what I have. I'm working on it.

No groups. What helped the most for me: reading, writing, making and listening to music, movies, etc.

 

[manboychef]

I have a hard time with PTSD, and I have a hard time being thankful for what I have. I'm working on it.

No groups. What helped the most for me: reading, writing, making and listening to music, movies, etc.

same, however my PTSD is really not bad. Just came from a bad childhood. It is more the OCD and panic Disorder that causes me to want to use.

If you need to talk to someone about your addiction cire, I would suggest a therapist. If you need fellowship, try meetings. Meetings never worked for me...just way to over the top religious. But as @Captian.Heroin said you need to fill your time with things you need to do as well as what you enjoy doing. Learning to fly the plane sober doesn't happen overnight. It is a unique process of relearning a lot of your behaviors and emotions again.

I recently had something that really hurt me in my heart. It was crazy how fast my mind went to using, when in reality that would make it worse. I ended up having to go back to my training in rehab and start using the : When you _____, I feel _____. Because _____ because I knew that I would say something hurtful if I went with my instincts (which is to either internalize everything, or project the hurt and frustration I feel onto the other person.)

Just remember, you got this man. Keep at it, it will get a lot better.

 

[herbavore]

Good on you for taking care of yourself, manboychef--that sounds hard but I hope you take it in (the strength and courage you used to take care of yourself) and derive some pride from it.

@cire: I really believe that working on your life concurrently with working on addiction is what leads to lasting change. The reason that I have so much admiration for people that have overcome addiction is not that they overcame the addiction but that they learned to love themselves and the lives they are creating. Most people just won't go that deep. Addicts are some of the most courageous people I have ever met. I think this is related to sensitivity. Being very sensitive often leads to being overwhelmed and self-medicating which may lead to addiction. But that same sensitivity that led to the problems is also your best asset as a human being. Learning to make being vulnerable your strength is empowerment. If you are dealing with boredom you have to learn ways to challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone altogether.