This community is a place to share information and support with others who are trying to stop using drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other addictive substances. Discuss with others, the symptoms of addiction, addiction recovery, ways to quit like tapering and cold turkey, and withdrawal symptoms. If you are interested in general "chat", please visit our
Addiction Social Community.
avis
Avis...when you say aftercare is that just NA or am I missing something here? Maybe there is other options I don't know about!
JoAnn
nothing will EVER feel great while you're using.
so if aftercare is required, it is. if you had diabetes or cancer, you'd go to the doctor regularly.
this is no different. it's your life you're talkin about....
trust me - once you get clean, things are gonna feel a whole helluva lot better... by leaps and bounds...
-mj
Just because you stop doing the drug/or drinking, doesn't mean you don't have the disease. It is a lifelong illness and you have to treat it, as there is NO CURE. What works for some, doesn't work for all. But, DO something. This site is fantastic, but face to face interaction with another addict is very valuable. Even if it's just grabbing a cup of coffee and talking about what is going on in your life. Some need meetings, even if it's just once a month. Some, use counseling, some work the steps of AA/NA using the books of these programs and a friend.
But regardless of what you decide is best for you, DO something to stay clean. I know first hand what happens to me when i don't go. I have to take responsiblity for my recovery just as much as I have to take responsibility for abusing drugs. I am not ashamed of being an addict. I can't help it and cannot change it. But I can change what I do in the future and have a choice now whether to use or not. If i leave it up to myself and become introverted about my disease, I'll use every time, because the guilt, shame, and cravings become profound.
Great question!