How did you quit using?

Quitting drugs is very difficult at first, in fact it can be terrifying dealing with the sickness, the mental battles and trying to find ourselves again and fix what we did. I never believed I could quit, it felt like there was no hope, no cure and the thought of not being able to use again scared the living hell out of me. Addiction wants to keep us weak, wants us to have no hope, but we don't have to live like that, we do have the choice and there IS HOPE. Life is 100 X better with a clear head:) It took a few rock bottoms for me to finally stop using and I know for me I needed that last bottom, it's what saved me.

My question is, how did you stop? I mean was there a defining moment when you knew there was no choice other than to stop using? What gave you the strength and opened your eyes to quit?

[febninthgirl]

Hay honey for me is was not being in pain anymore and looking into my beautiful little boy's eyes and my husband. I love my family and would give my very own life for them so I knew I could stop. I didn't want to lose everything I have worked so hard for.  

[hmf099]

For me I had a couple eye openers. 1. i hardly reconized myself in the mirror anymore and 2. I knew that with the amount of pills/booze i was ingesting i would die before my next birthday. As far as strength to quit, for me prayer, family, and determination all played a key roll. I knew I couldn't be a mom or wife while using. So I picked the mom and wife. 37 days since my last drink or drug and I love it even with the ups and downs. This site, family, and AA keep me clean.

[gizzy32]

Congrats on those 37 days. I just read your other post. You may be having PAWS now, but I don't think you started them from day one, usually around the 30 day mark many experience this, 60 days, 90 days etc, but not always the same times, everyone is different. Be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished and you will feel better soon:) Stay strong

febninthgirl, your doing great too, your lucky to have a great family.

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

Great post and GREAT QUESTION!

I hafta say that my REASON and desire to quit was my family... My husband, my son, my Mom, sisters, nephews, neices, etc... (and.. of course.. MY horse)

I WANT to be a good wife!

I WANT to be a good Mom! AND to see my son get married.. and experience being a GRANDMA! Hopefully...  
(as my MOM said.. "I've waited ALL MY LIFE to BE a GRANDMA!")

I WANT to be a good daughter!

I WANT to be a good sister!

I WANT to be a good aunt!

I WANT TO LIVE!   AND to see and experience EVERYTHING that LIFE has to OFFER ME....

I am TRULY BLESSED to be where I am RIGHT NOW!

Thanks gizzy for this post.. It brings alot of passion out in me... which I truly apprecitate...

Much love to you and ALL!  

[SophieShine]

For me it was at my 1st visit to the doctor here in Amsterdam, the look in her eyes when I went for my 1st refill, the computer going on "tilt" with a huge red warning sign did help too!
Now, I realize how crazy this sounds but I'll explain....
I was in France for 6 years, they're #1 benzo and AD's prescribers in the whole world and boy did they prescribe it to me. I was absolutely not educated and had an almost holy trust in doctors.
So when I moved here in Amsterdam, the dr told me that I was taking 8 times the dosage they give here in psychiatric institutions, that scared the living daylight out of me too. I said OK I stop tomorrow, that's how uneducated I was! I was told about the seizures risks and all the withdrawal routine and.... the tapering plan!
My world fell apart. I could not even stop this $Hit, I had to taper and be patient, yeah right me patient that would be the day!  Well I had to and learned that too.
Thanks Gizz, great post!

[dominosarah]

My blood pressure was rising, my kidneys just had enough of my abuse and i knew i was going to die.......I got on the internet and started searching for info on coming off pills and i found this site.  I decided then and there i had had enough and i went ct and here i am....                 sara

[narla]

For me it was after a blood test my doctor called me in,In 2 years my liver function test more than doubled.She said we could taper but I'm stubborn.I told her if I can't drink or abuse codeine anymore I'd rather do it C/T.Today is day 70.I'll be honest I really didn't want to stop I felt I needed what I was using.But I'm doing it anyway.I think having a new grandson helped, I want to see him grow up.  

[kim715]

Had to take over raising my step daughters' 2 little girls because step daughter had developed a crack and heroin addiction.Plus my daughter had just had her first baby.Grandkids needed and deserved a clean gramma.I also had to quit my job when we got the 2 little ones and that 100 dollars a week I was giving to the methadone clinic was taking food off the table and you can buy a lot of barbies and diapers and wipes with $100.00 a week.Got up one Saturday,said that was it.Four days later I found this site and here I am over 600 days clean.Life is good....Kim

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

I LOVE the BARBIE, DIAPERS & WIPES...

If that's not motivation to get you CLEAN... nothing will...

Congrats on 600 days CLEAN... woo HOO!

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Well Giz we share some similarities here I believe....... but being on a ventilator in an induced coma it was just too much work to get any pills down the gastric tube!!  And after I survived it only seemed prudent to quit.......

[gizzy32]

You are the man eagle! I think you have nine lives too, just like me, lol. I haven`t seen you post much lately and miss reading them!

Thanks for the feeback everyone, together we are strong:)

[forumryder]

well i dno im only on my 9th day clean but i really like this post.  what some of you said was great.  my amazing girlfriend who i want to marry and have kids with made me want to quit.  my mom.  and for myself i want to play sports again and be the active guy i used to be before i started using.  theres just so much to do out there that i shouldnt waste it on tv and movies and oxys.  
great post gizzy

[jstntime]

It was desperation for me.  I was cornered.  Die or try, it was as simple as that.  My pine box was almost closed.

I chose the "try" and found you guys and thank my stars daily that I did.

bob

[fengirl09]

I almost lost my daughter for good before I got smart and decided I had to quit. My last dose of fentanyl was the day before I had to go to court and that day I lost temporary custody of her. I knew that moment I was done. I detoxed at home, cold turkey and went thru hell. I can honestly say it was the best thing I have ever done. I now have shared custody of my daughter and a good relationship with a new guy and I am happier than ever. My daughter is 9 and knows all about my addiction and tells me and everyone else how proud she is of me. She even askes me how many days I have been clean and likes to tell other people.