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bshaw's Posts

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Re: September- National Drug & Alcohol Recovery Month
9/13/2007 7:05:12 PM bshaw
15 Posts bshaw's Avatar
It's great that we have a month dedicated to drug and alcohol recovery. the problem is that not many people seem to know about it. I think we as a country should spend more time and money raising the level of awareness about the financial costs of addiction and recovery as well as the emotional costs. I also think people need to be educated in the fact that addiction is a disease and not a weakness.
Re: When is a person cured of chemical dependency?
9/13/2007 7:09:27 PM bshaw
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I agree 100%! We need to dispell the myth that once an addict stops using he or she is "cured". Unfortunately many people believe this is the case. An addict must remain in recovery and constantly work on the issues that drove them to begin using in the first place for the rest of their lives.
Re: What will it take
9/13/2007 7:14:48 PM bshaw
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Although I agree there is much more government could and should do, the ultimate responsibility lies with the addict. Let's face it, no matter how hard the gov. makes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc. to get if someone really wants it they will get it. What I think the gov. should focus on is raising awareness about the disease of addiction, its costs both financially and emotionally, how bad an addict's life can really become, and where people can go for help.
Re: Afraid to Change
9/13/2007 7:20:35 PM bshaw
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I am currently housebound due to physical disability so I know how it feels. Change is the scariest thing in the world. Most people remain where they are in life not because they necessarily like it but because it is at least familiar. All I can say is take it slow. You've made a good start by posting in this forum and asking for help. Continue to do so and even find other forums, blogs, or chatrooms where you can interact with others. When you feel you are ready start going out to church or some other form of public place where interaction is encouraged. You may also wish to find a good therapist who can help you.
Hitting Bottom
9/14/2007 1:46:00 PM bshaw
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Many people begin a recovery process for other people, for the sake of a job, or for many reasons other than just for themselves. Although it is important to include all these factors, especially other people in the process it simply won't work unless you are doing it for you. Each of us has to hit 'bottom' before we can begin to recover. Everyone's bottom is different. One may feel they've hit bottom if they get a DUI, it may take someone else the loss of their job or maybe even their family before they feel they have finally reached their own bottom. Whatever your bottom is if you have not yet reached it chances are you will continue relapsing until you do.
Hitting Bottom
9/14/2007 1:47:00 PM bshaw
15 Posts bshaw's Avatar
Many people begin a recovery process for other people, for the sake of a job, or for many reasons other than just for themselves. Although it is important to include all these factors, especially other people in the process it simply won't work unless you are doing it for you. Each of us has to hit 'bottom' before we can begin to recover. Everyone's bottom is different. One may feel they've hit bottom if they get a DUI, it may take someone else the loss of their job or maybe even their family before they feel they have finally reached their own bottom. Whatever your bottom is if you have not yet reached it chances are you will continue relapsing until you do.
Precription Drugs
9/14/2007 1:54:00 PM bshaw
15 Posts bshaw's Avatar
I haven't seen anything on the forum about prescription drug abuse and addiction. i am new so maybe there is some stuff in older posts. Anyway, I suffer from chronic illness and see a pain management doctor who prescribes narcotics and doing other procedures and things. I know I overmedicate and sometimes I take more just for the high and not so much for pain relief. I am afraid however, that if I seek help for this I will risk losing what little pain relief I get now from the meds. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Re: Christians Struggling With Addictions
9/14/2007 2:01:30 PM bshaw
15 Posts bshaw's Avatar
I am just guessing here but I would imagine that if you looked at all the statistics you would find there are as many or more non-Christians that are addicts as well. Addiction is a disease that does not discriminate. Being Christian does not mean we are not human and that we don't make mistakes. I believe an addict is an addict Christian or not.
Celebration
9/14/2007 2:05:00 PM bshaw
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It seems to me that we get so caught up in our day to day struggles with recovery that we forget to celebrate the seemingly small positive things we are doing or have done. Why wait for 30 or 60 days or a year to celebrate. Let's put more emphasis on making a big deal out of the small milestones. I think this will give many of us the much needed positive reinforcement to continue being succesful in recovery.
Re: Do women fully recover
9/15/2007 8:25:09 PM bshaw
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To me saying you are fully recovered is the same thing as saying you are cured. There is NO cure for addiction. Recovery is an ongoing, lifetime process. Yes, it is very easy to substitute one addiction for another. this is yet another reason to commit yourself to the idea that you will always be in recovery, even if you are an alcoholic who never drinks again, and must continually work on the recovery process.
Re: Lifestyle can trigger abuse
9/15/2007 8:31:18 PM bshaw
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Next to admitting you have a problem, lifestyle change is probably the hardest part of recovery for most addicts. Often it means distancing yourself from old friends, prior hangouts, etc. It can even be something as drastic as changing jobs, moving, or leaving your spouse. But if you remain in your current llifestyle, or return to it after time in a rehab facility, you will most likely revert to prior behaviors of drinking, using drugs, gambling, or whatever your addiction is.
Risk Factors for Addiction
9/17/2007 6:27:00 PM bshaw
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As with any illness (breast cancer, heart disease, etc.) there are certain risk factors that we all need to be aware of that can add to the chances of one beconing an addict. Some of these risk factors follow.


  • Genetics. If alcoholism or drug addiction runs in your family you are most likely more predisposed to become an alcoholi/addict youself.

  • Mental/Emotional Problems. Those who suffer from depression, bipolar disease, post traumatic stress disorder, and many other mental illnesses have a higher chance of becoming addicts.

  • Loners. Those who are loners without any or many friends to confide in tend to have an increased chance of becoming addicts.

  • Type of Friends. People, especially adolescents and teens are much more likely to develop problems with drugs or alcohol if they continually hang around others who drink and get high.

These are just a few of the risk factors. If you have any of these or know someone, perhaps a child, who does, it does not mean you, or they, will automatically become an addict it just means more attention should be paid to their behavior in hopes of stopping something before it starts or goes too far.
Re: Hard talking about Myself
9/17/2007 6:34:40 PM bshaw
15 Posts bshaw's Avatar
For most people, talking about ouselves good or bad is not easy to do. Especially when you through in the issue of trust. What you need to try and remember is that we have all been in your shoes at one time or other, and like you we all had to take a chance and start somewhere.If you don't feel confortable speaking in front of the group at a meeting maybe you can find someone at the meeting you are more comfortable talking to one-on-one. Whatever you do, don't give up. It's hard but keep forcing yourself to talk, it will pay off huge.
Can't seem to sleep
9/17/2007 6:41:00 PM bshaw
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I go through periods of time where I just cannot sleep. sometimes I'll go for 3 or 4 days on only a few hours of sleep that I catch from naps. I've talked with my doctors and have tried everything over the counter and presciption. I don't drink caffeine for at least 4-5 hours before I try to sleep, I don't eat for at least 3-4 hours before I try to sleep. There really doesn't seem to be any particular trigger. Even though I feel wide awake I force myself to lay down in bed and try to fall asleep. Usually after an hour or so I simply get up for the night. Help/ Any ideas or suggestions?
Re: IS there "addictive personality"?
9/17/2007 6:47:20 PM bshaw
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I don't believe a certain type of personality automatically means one will definitely become an addict. However, I do believe people with certain personality traits are more prone to addiction. In fact if you were to look up risk factors for addiction on one of any number of medical websites you would see things such as personality type and genetics listed. So yes I do believe that such a thing as addictive personality exists.
Where to start
9/18/2007 7:30:00 PM bshaw
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First you must be willing to admit you have a problem and want to get help for it. Then see your doctor, you need to find out if hospitalization is necessary for detox. Next enlist the help of your significant other as well as family and friends. Chances are they already know you have a problem and have just been waiting for you to reach out. Lastly, and perhaps most important find meetings in your area that deal with your specific addiction and begin attending as many as you can. Find a sponsor, that one person who you feel most comfortable talking with intimately and who you feel free to call whenever you have the urge to go back to old ways. To me these are necessary steps to begin recovery.
Re: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
9/18/2007 7:35:10 PM bshaw
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I agree 100%. keeping an open mind is absolutely essential in recovery. Try not to judge others or the rcovery process. If you cannot give it an honest chance it will not work for you. Ask your Higher Power for courage, tolerance, and an open mind. If you truly desire these things He will probably grant your request.
It isn't socially acceptable for women to have a drinking/drug problem
9/18/2007 7:53:00 PM bshaw
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Even though society has come a long way, I still believe it is more socially acceptable for a man to have a drinking problem than a woman. As women we are supposed to be the caretakers not the ones who need to be taken care of. For this reason I believe too many womensuffer in silence. I know I did for a while. But please realize you are not much good to your family or anyone else if you are covering up a problem. Get help! Ignore whether it is socially acceptable or not. It's your life and you deserve help and recovery just as much as any man.
Re: What is the Difference?
9/20/2007 8:09:50 AM bshaw
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I think the difference between men and women when it comes to addiction is one imposed from the outside. Sure men and women handle things diferently. But look at society, even today it is much more acceptable for a man to stop at a bar after work and have a few drinks or got to a poker game where all the guys are drinking beer after beer than it is for a woman, especially a wife and/or mother. I think this causes some women to keep their problem hidden instead of seeking the help they may need and want.
Precription drugs-the new met or cocaine?
9/20/2007 9:43:00 AM bshaw
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It's no secret that precription drug abuse is definitely on the rise. Unfortunately I think there is a catch-22 here. Pain management has become a huge specialty and for good reason.There are many people like myself who suffer from chronic and often excruciating pain. Often the only thing that brings relief is narcotic pain killers. However, the more you take, the more you need to take and for the most part the doctor continues to prescribe them and increase the dose. What is the answer? Certainly people in pain deserve relief but of course we all want to avoid addiction as well. I'm not sure there is a satisfactory answer.
Re: I'm sorry yall
9/20/2007 9:51:54 AM bshaw
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You shouldn't feel as if you have to tell your story until you are ready and only to whom you want. Don't worry about what others think of you, that can be risky thinking in recovery. If you want to continue to try this chirch a few more times fine, but it sounds to me you are simply looking for a place to belong, a place you feel comfortable and won't be judged. I always suggest trying an AA or NA meeting. these people have been through what you are going through and they do not judge. Maybe you would feel more comfortable there at least for awhile. then maybe you can go the church route again. Until then hold your head high. None of us is perfect, we are all sinners and have things in our past or even present we may not be ready to admit to others. that does not make you a bad person. At least you are recognizing the problem.
Gratitude
9/20/2007 9:58:00 AM bshaw
15 Posts bshaw's Avatar
One way to celebrate small or large successes in recovery is to develop a sense of gratitude. regardles of your circumstances there is always something to be grateful for. Try finding at least one or two things each day to be grateful for and see if this doesn't help your recovery. When it does, as I'm sure it will, take the time to celebrate your successess as well as be grateful for them. Maybe, just for today you didn't drink. Maybe, just for today, you drank but not infront of your kids, etc. By expressing gratitude and celebrating small and large successess, you are helping your recovery to continue and eventually progress.
what keeps you recovering
9/23/2007 5:06:00 PM bshaw
15 Posts bshaw's Avatar
How do you keeep from drinking or using when things go badly in your life? I could really use some advice. For the last couple of days things have really been going badly and I've thought about using/dringking more than I have in years. Although this forum helps it doesn't seem to be quite enough. I haven't used or drank - yet. What keeps you fromdoing so when you experience problems in your life. I'm great at giving advice but taking it is a whole other thing.
Re: Is it possible???
9/23/2007 5:10:57 PM bshaw
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Time travel? Who's to know? I wish in a way it wat were true. If I could go back in time maybe I could undo all the pain I've caused my family and friends, not to mention myself. It certainly is an interesting concept. and like I said, who's to know? Many stranger things have happened.
Re: thoughts change
9/23/2007 5:26:15 PM bshaw
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I agree that there are many unsrupulous people that will do anything for money. There needs to me more action in the attack against these people. Unfortunately the younger these dealers get to kids the better chance they have of hooking them. I know the police are definitely overworked but I belive this is a huge priority. We need to find a way to put more time, attention, and money to find a way to stop this from happening. write your congressman, do whatever you can think of. These kids are our future and I for one for all.would like it ot be a happy future.
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