Counseling

[co872]

Has anyone been to professional counseling for opiates? I have fought the worst cravings today, for hours I kept telling myself " it's not to late to change this problem, you dont want to become a statistic". After 4 or 5 hrs of hell in my own head it stopped. I have trouble keeping my brain from negative self talking and thinking of all the guilt and problems I have, which drives my wanting to use, I'm fighting it the best I can, but does anyone have any helpful professional techniques?

[co872]

Thanks you all, I got more info than I really expected. And lisa I will take you up on that offer where is the meeting at I'm really familiar with all areas of jax. I'm worried I wont be able to talk without balling my eyes out. I know why I started using, I was with a woman that I truly loved and she had a 1.5 year old son who was the reason we met. She lived next door at an apt I was living in and he would always be in the window in his diaper when I came home from work waving at me. So one thing led to another and we started seeing each other, his dad had nothing to do with him and after we had lived to together for several years he called me dad. I helped her through college and bought us a very nice brand new house, by then he was in school. One day she decided to start treating me terribly, and it was down hill from there. She used my love for her son to keep me trying to work things out then we split up when she could afford to support herself. I was devastated ever since, I worked so hard to provide for them. Spent all my money I had saved, and was left with huge financial obligations. She cost me close to 100k I estimate, over the time we were together. So when I hurt my knee, the pain meds kept my heart from hurting and it was on ever since. But I didnt know the changes that had been made to my brain until it was too late, now i'm worse off than ever. I have gotten back to work, and am recovering my assets, still have my house. It's been two years and I still think of them everyday, i have been with many other girls but I cant love anymore, it just isnt the same. I'm not bitter to women I try to like them I just cant feel that way anymore I still love the family I lost. Anyway I am learning about triggers and doing better I was just so vulnerable for this at the time and still am. I know I need counseling for that area of my life thats why I asked. Thanks again!

[Lisa034]

Try an NA meeting it will help I promise.  We live close.  I will come get you if you need me to.  I am not trying to push anything on you but I am just sharing my exp.  I went to NA searching for an answer. I really did not know what to expect.  After sitting in a meeting or two I began to feel that people cared and were willing to help.  Although my mind told me that I would never make it, the people in the fellowship gave me hope by insisting that I could recover.  I was surrounded by fellow addicts, thats when I relized that I was no longer alone.  RECOVERY is what happens it those meetings.  My life is a stake and so is yours. I began to belive and do belive that my life has become unmanageable and that I am powerless over these stupid little pills(my addiction)  Even though I am not responsible for my disease, I am 100% responsible for my recovery.  Try it out it works.  I have not ever left a meeting still wanting to use.
Good Luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you
Lisa
Jacksonville,FL

[liscamdave]

I recently started intensive addiction therapy. I go 2-3 days a week, and I will be going for 6 months to a year, depending on my progress. Anyway, I can honestly say that even after only having gone 3 times, I love it. This is my 3rd real attempt at quitting. When I say real, I mean longer then a couple days here and there. My first lasted almost 3 months. My second lasted almost 2 years and this is my third attempt. I will have a month clean on the 6th. My therapy includes two group sessions per week. There are about 8 of us. And then on the 3rd day, I meet with my counselor and its just him and I. We talk about everything. Things I would never even think to attribute to my addiction. Again, I have only bee there three times, but so far so good. It feels amazing to be able to talk to people who have been where you are. People who aren't looking at you and thinking they are better or would never do what you have done. People who understand you. Its the same feeling that you get here, only multiplied by 1000..lol. And it also feels really good to talk to someone who doesn't know anything about you or your past. They go by what you tell them and try to help you the best they can. I am so thankful that everyone did find out because it enabled me to seek proper aftercare and now I can stick with it.

[ZJILLIAN]

I think what you are talking about is support to stay clean. You need people who know what you are going through whatever form that support takes. For most of us we can't do this alone, especially fighting cravings. Staying clean is the real problem and if you read the other posts on this site you will realize the intensity of that struggle.

Once you have started that relationship with your drug it will always be there as a possibility; like an old love it will be a built in weakness. I think of it as dancing with the devil. Once you have attended the party you will always have a standing invitation to come again.

So for starters: cling to this site. I have found it the single most helpful thing I have done. Of course NA/AA are great if you find a group you like and sometimes you need to shop around. Drug counseling is also good. In fact everything positive you can do is good. The more the better. The site, the groups, the counseling, reading about addiction, searching the internet, talking with doctors etc etc etc.

It pretty much is a war and you need lots of allies.
Keep reading the site, keep posting; You are not alone.

[worried878]

oh...here..Catholic Social Services offers counseling on addiction based on income...ur insurance may cover ur needs/mine did not..just an afterthought..ie ..ask and look around in ur community

[worried878]

I chose meetings vs counseling due to cost....but counseling is great when u really need one on one help...I have been seeing a counselor as of late//not due to addiction problems but personal//but our person is where the work needs to be done..our inner self...find answers to WHY we used..What we were trying to escape from etc

My insurance doesnt cover a TRUE addiction counselor..but if u google u will find many listings of addiction specialists...there is an addiction association but I no longer have the address that I do know is respectable,,I would be careful cos some of those sites r selling more than counseling

Meetings r free..one on one can be important as well like counseling..most cities have a mental health center etc who may be able to guide u/asking friends for a good counselor reference is also a good idea and is what I did..I saw her/she is a Life Coach/after my divorce..and still go to her in times of need...anyway..ask around and check out ur city's resources
Glad u r hangin tight!  and seeking aftercare!  Most do not realize this important ingredient of this whole process til they relapse 4-5 times..and some never do seek the support they need

Congrats on ur insight as to why u need to work on ur inner self..keep posting

[Charetti]

I am going for  counselling and its been great.  This counselor is my only true support in my life.  I tell her everything and she doesnt judge me.  Its not back and forth banter, its all me all the time.  Each time I go I leave with a to-do list.  At first she told me to make the list but I would come back next time and hadnt done it, so she helps me to get motivated.

Of course not all counselors are a good fit. I went to 2 other counsellors in the past 5 years and didnt feel any connection with them.  I was only in the 'want to want to quit' stage so that might explain it.

So I definitely encourage counselling but dont get discouraged if it doesnt work the first time.  And for all the support outside of that hour I come here!

Good luck

[SwtGyrl69]

I am new to this myself ....But i have found this site to be the best counseling  for me...The people here are great and they know first hand probly more than a counsler knows....Just stay on here ask many quetions someone or many will answer,,,,Good luck to you