First step done, Today scares me

[natalile]

I posted yesterday about old so called freind's popping in to see us & in the end we use, We last night a so called freind did just that he had a bag & wanted to no if we wanted to share it with him, But we both didn't use ( me & patner ). I feel great & i have got abit of insight into why they do it.  I say so called freind's as that's just what they are. Real freind's would be happy that we are trying to sort our life's out, If we were still using the is no way he would of come over to see if we wanted to share his bag. But i have come to see that addict's don't like the thought of someone breaking free. I think it make's you feel even more of an addict, A real freind would try & encorage use to get claen & stay that way. Not temp't use to use, Enyway i had to share that as i'm real proud of me & my fella.
Today is the real test of will's though, We have a urine sample today. I the past when we have given negative sample's we have stupidly rewarded ourself with a bag, I no it sound's crazy eh !. I do not want today to be the same. I have to put thing's in place so that dosn't happed. But what ????. I'm scared if i do use i don't no when the next time i stop will be. It could be a day it could be a day it could be a month. All i no is i don't want to use atall. I'm working today so that will keep me buzzy, Can enyone suggest what i can do to take my mind of it. I no it's a tall order & alot of you will be thinking she's gonna use but at this moment in time i have no intention of doing that. I'd just like ideas that you have all used to keep your mind's focused, I will go for a walk or take the kid's to the park. Thank you for taking time to read my rambleings
peace nat xxx

[Friend999]

How to intervene on an episode of craving

    Since craving is a normal and natural symptom of addiction that follows the addict into recovery, it is important for addicts to learn how to deal with craving in recovery. This is done by learning and practicing a number of steps.

1. Recognize Craving: Addicts must learn how to recognize a craving while it is happening. Many addicts fail to identify mild cravings as problematic and wait until they are in a full blown, severe craving before taking action.

2. Accept Craving As Normal: Many people experience a craving, panic, and believe there is something wrong with their recovery or that they are condemned to return to cocaine use. This is not true.

3. Go Somewhere Else: The craving was probably activated by an environmental trigger, so get out of the setting you're in and get into an environment that supports sobriety.

4. Talk It Through: If you talk it through, you don't have to act it out. Addicts need to talk about their cravings as soon as they occur to discharge the urge to use.

5. Aerobic Exercise: This stimulates brain chemistry and reduces the physiology of craving.

6. Eat A Healthy Meal: Eat a healthy meals in order to nourish the brain. Consume some lean fish or meat for protein and eat some whole wheat bread or baked, potatoes or brown rice for complex carbohydrates. It also helps to take some vitamins and amino acids to help stabilize brain chemistry imbalances.


How to intervene on an episode of craving
(Continued)


7. Meditation And Relaxation: Cravings are worse when a person is under high stress. The more a person can relax, the lower the intensity of the craving.

8. Distraction: divert attention from the craving by engaging in other activities that productively distract the person from their feelings.

9. Remember Cravings Are Time-limited: The ninth step is to remember that most craving is time limited to two or three hours. If you can use the previous eight steps to get yourself fatigued enough to fall asleep, most people wake up and the craving is gone.

It is possible to understand craving and to learn how to manage craving without returning to drug use. A model that allows people to identify set-up behaviors, trigger events, and the cycle of craving itself, and intervening upon this process has proven effective in reducing relapse among addicts.

Friend999

[cathy5841]

hi nat, i hope you are sticking to your plan.  taking the kids to the park is great.  they have fun you enjoy the outdoors and keep your mind off using.  remember one minute at a time.  you can make it this minute and worry about the next minute when it comes.....baby steps!!!!  you can do this.  this is your time.
love ya
cathy

[oxyaddict420]

I say have sex with your fella.  That is a very natural high, and as long as he isn't a minute man then you should get some decent relief. haha

But for real, that can be a great way of getting a great euphoric feeling naturally and keeping your mond of junk.

BEST OF LUCK

[confused456]

Walking is great and it makes you feel good naturally by releasing your body's natural endorphins. I suggest that!!