not the end of the world!

Hello everyone, My name is Lee for those that didnt know that already : )
I just want to share some experance that I have learned in my 41 days of being clean. When I came here to medhelp I was a lost soul, searching for help, looking for answers. I have learned that this site is a wealth of info, a group of great people, a great tool in your recovery kit, that said, I do think realizing early along that this site can not be your WHOLE tool kit, you need more. We hear about aftercare and when i first heard that word I thought hummm I will worry about aftercare after I get a little clean time, IMO thats a dangerous thought, aftercare needs to start day one. Alot of people think they can not afford aftercare, or this site is enough aftercare, or they do not have time for aftercare. Aftercare can be such a broad term including, meeteings N.A. or A.A., couseling, this site, in short aftercare IMO is working a recovery program that works to get to the root of our addictions, to learn why we use and how we can not use again. As far as lack of time, thats not a good excuse cause heck look at  all the time we used getting high! I have also learned that shortly after getting clean we start to feel emotions that we have masked this whole time of using, We have to deal with those emotions and not use over them. Withdrawals su*k but really they are not the end of the world,  people are sometimes searching for something magic to eliminate w/ds, people there is nothing, yeas the Thomas recipe helps, cloadine is a good resource, vitimans, and all that is good but you are still going to w/d, IMO its important to feel that pain, we need to remember that pain because that can keep us from using. Getting clean is not the hard part! its hard but is nothing compared to staying clean. You have to get by day to day, and for me it helps to remember that each passing day puts another day between you and your addiction. For people that are just starting this journey, I am living proof that it can be done, its so worth it. Stay strong, get through this, have faith in your higher power, post here alot, get out in the sun, exercese, read, force yourself beyond what you feel like doing, dont try to cover w/ds with other drugs. WE CAN ALL DO THIS!! just stay fucosed on what brought you here, stay focused on the dream of freedom from pills and one day at a time we all will be there. Thanks for letting me share

[Axl_0113]

Good post, Lee

[whitie]

thanks lee, I like success stories !!

I spent 5 years, losing my battle to pills.  5 years losing.

what ever it takes to win is what I like.  I want to win,not lose any more.  I ve lost so much in the past.  I am going to spend the rest of my life winning,from here on out!

[leeisgettingclean]

thanks Axl

Whitie, man you are so right, i have lost so much for so long that I  am ready to take my life back and win. We are always at war with this addiction, and winning today only puts us a step closer tomorrow, we are at a never ending war but fighting everyday is a way to win. We keep our gaurd up, stay strong and we have a chance at this stuff. Thanks for your reply man, I always find your replys and post to be very eductional! you are a great teacher, thanks for helping us

[Astray]

Well said Lee.

[dominosarah]

Each clean day is a new beginning.....embrace it.          sara

[momloves54]

Your So right about the hard part is the fight to stay clean family and friends alot of time do not realize the battle it is for there loved one who is addicted ! THANKS LEE

[refusingbondage]

This is a FANTASTIC post and I thank you for it.

Also very imformative.. I think it should be on the other side as well as this side.  

Thanks again!

[leeisgettingclean]

thank you refusingbodage and to all others. I just want to add that everyone that post rather ats day 1 or day 10000 clean for you, everyone helps, there is something to learbn from everyone in every stage of recovery so post away everyone!!

[whitie]

thanks bro!!

that  made me feel better than any of those drugs ever did !!

you have done a very dilligent job of helping people and commenting here. you have been there for alot of people,with great straight foward advise,and often at times when people are in extreme agony.

yes, the war will always rage on, and the enemy is creative and diabolical. but together we stand and each day, we march forth more determined than ever before!!

you should be proud of yourself !!

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

GREAT words of Wisdom.. Lee... Thank you for your post.. It says it ALL!

[leeisgettingclean]

thank you queen