Do you have the mindset.

[Mangee]

Recently I was talking to two former addicts. One was my grandaughter and the other was a friend I have known for a while. The friend asked how I managed to beat oxycontin cold turkey. I told him that I just couldn't take the life i was living, sleeping all the time, no communications with anyone other than my wife and occasional daughter or son.Then he said something that hot me. He said," It all depended on your mindset then. You wanted out and so you set your mind to the task and because it was set so strongly you were able to cope with whatever came." My grandaughter said,"I never thought of it that way."  Then she said ," Grandpa, maybe that word 'mindset,'  is what addicts need to know." After I got home I thought about it and then I thought that in order to have the mindset that will take you to freedom from addiction you have to clear your mind of all else. I know I wanted freedom from oxy and all though I didn't realize it, I had my mind set on withdrawal excluding all else.
As much as I appreciated the help that was being offered by others here I somehow instictively realized they had to be pushed into the background along with anythingelse so I could concentrate on myself. It was me that I had to think about, me who needed to move ahead, me who had to climb on that horse and ride towards those green fields and if I fell off I had to climb back on and continue the ride. Now that I have reached the green fields and fulfillled my coomitment I am now free to offer some advice wwhich I hope will prove an incentive to other to take that ride. I would pop in  now and then to ask a question and then it was back to business. I don't know how much help what I have just posted will give to anyone who is ready to get on that horse but hopefully it will give rise to thought. If you want it you have to ask yourself,"How bad do I want it,? How bad do I want to get back to the person I used to be? This is my life  and my responsibility and I can't place that responsibility anywhere but on myself. That being the case, I have to set my mind on the task ahead and with perseverance and as much strength I can dredge up from within, I will be then ready and I will do it. Then and only then will I be capable of answering the odd question on what helped me.

[matterfact]

hey there,
   Congrats on getting better.... You know, I can see where someone might think that a month doesn't qualify.... But, i know that, just like stated above, i also was just as addicted within the first month as i am now.... i didn't take as many, but i knew that myself and pills were going to have a long relationship... and i proved right..  going on 15 years now! Remember, you can be a very important supporter of your grandchildren in their recovery... you've been there , you understand...  No one in my family ever understood... they never supported me, they thought i should just be able to walk right away from my addiction... none of them had ever dealt with addiction before... they always told me its all in my head...that i don't really need those pills and theres no way that i'm phyically addicted... they thought i was full of excuses... thankfully....15 years later they expeirenced enough of my addiction to know that , this is a real problem.... physically and mentally.... quitting easy, i've done it many times... its staying quit that isn't...  your post are correct, noone should be slapping you in the face for posting what you feel... you keep your head up pal, and help them grandkids get threw their recovery as well... you'll find that you need each others help more than you think.... God bless you

[freebird227]

I am a greatfull recovering addict of 25 years. I will always be evolving in my dis covery of self               and the things that can bring on a complusion to use any mood altering stubance
For me it is a journey not the destination.~~
I will never be able to go back and use any thing mood or mind altering succesfully.  Life is toooo interesting without it.
My desease is 3 fold Mental,spiritual physical. I call it the DIS-EASE IN MY SOUL.
I don't get too wrapped up in the words people choose to use     because we all come from different backgrounds
As long as we are being real with ourselves our journeys can and should look different.
You have shared some wonderfully insightful stuff on here and thats what I take away, we have a saying TAKE WHAT YOU LIKE>>>AND LEAVE THE REST~~Works For Me
   We can do a dis-service to one enother by tearing apart their post.We are NOT a one size fits all.This isn't COOKIE-CUTTER RECOVERY~Be Blessed~

[corey411]

Thank you Mangee.  I have read many of your posts and  you are a very wise man. You are right....anyone who is even addicted for 1 month is just as much an addict. You were very wise and had the foresight to get off them early. I was just addicted after 1 month as I am now. Only difference is the mental stuff collects with time and it takes longer to feel better. I am sure the cravings and the urge to use are just as strong. Thank you for all of the advise you offer. Corey

[Mangee]

I should have mentioned in my last post that  my grandson as well as my grandaughter were taking drugs. My grandaughter was into meth and is now two years or more of not using. My grandson was into crack and meth as well as others. He is three months without using and is fighting the urge . They, as well as some of their friends, have been able to give me some insight into the experiences I did not have. I have heard the expression,"I am no longer an addict."  "I am a former addict,"as well as "I am no longer addicted," on more than one occasion. I am sure many of you have heard or used those expressions at one time or another. It is after you begin fighting the urge  to use again that you realize that you will never be completely free. If I am completely wrong than I can do nothing other than apologize to those who take exception to my musings.

[avisg]

i am an addict in recovery i  will always be an addict

[Mangee]

You are right, I was on oxy for only a month butI was just as addicted as someone who was on it months longer. I couldn't wait  for my next pill and occasionally doubled up. I even took my refill earlier than I should have and that is what made me realize that I had to stop before it got much worse so I went cold turkey and it was two months before I became relatively free of the effects. As for the phrase,"Former addict," Most addicts who have quit use that phrase or similar ones such as, "I am no longer using,"  " I am no longer addicted," etc. Every addict that has quit knows subconciously that they are in danger of using again and will never be free of it but if using any of those phrases gives them a glow or a warmth or a moment to stand tall then there is no problem with using them. Whatever helps. By the way thanks for giving me a slight slap on the face, I need it now and then in order to get me to explain myself and my utterances more often. Never be afraid to slap me down when needed. That is what friends do.

[LIZZIE LOU]

mannie...

correct me if i'm wrong...but werent you only on oxys for 1 month?

and what is a former addict?