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5262038 tn?1415312585

Relapse help!

I relapsed for 1 week. I am working closely with an addiction counselor. Looking for positive words and encouragement. Thanks
16 Responses
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6990909 tn?1435275816
My advice would be to dust yourself off, pick yourself up, and get back to it.  No reason to spend energy feeling guilty, or letting others make you feel guilty.  It sounds like you are moving forward and know what needs to be done and are taking the steps to do that (cutting sources, active addiction therapy).
You CAN do this!  You need to want this more than you want the high, Keeping fighting girl as you have a long, wonderful, beautiful life ahead of you without the drugs to get you through.
Stay strong and let us know how things are going.
Peace to you!
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5262038 tn?1415312585
Thank you hun. I'm doing ok. It takes about 4 days to feel better if I remember right. I can do this!!
Helpful - 0
1742220 tn?1331356727
Shawnee, don't give up.  You are ok.  You know what I have relapsed like 100 thousand x in the past 3 years.  I am clean almost five mos ... but it was a crisis that got me this far (clean).  I'm not saying that you have to get where I was ... I sure hope not!  :)))   After the crisis I went to a ten day intensive outpatient and that is what turned my recovery around.  I kept attending 12 step as well and of course individual therapy.  I had to look at the underlying issues that made me relapse.  You are young, you are a strong young woman.  I know you can do this!!!!  :)
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5262038 tn?1415312585
Thank you hun. I know I say it a lot but I feel stronger this time. It was a fluke that this person came into my life. They are gone now. I have zero sources as of now. I went to the ER and got a few clonidine and some zofran
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Shawnee -

There are a few paths a person can take when they relapse.. The extreme would be to use for an extended period leading to death, jail or institution and the best case is a person who catches it quickly and calls themselves out. I know your pissed and down that you relapsed but the truth is that you were able to stop yourself before it got out of hand and that is commendable!!

I can't even begin to count the times when I was using that I would say to myself "this is the last time I'm getting pills" or "I only have 2 days worth of pills and once I'm out I'm not getting anymore" each time I would buy more and more pills as months and years would pass by never willingly stopping for a single day.. I relapsed too at the end of last year but I caught myself and stopped and have been clean since.. It's a miracle that I stopped and even though I was pissed and down that I relapsed -- I stopped, and that's not something I was ever willing to do before because I didn't know any better... When I relapsed this time I realized how quick it can turn ugly and how much better life is without pills and I was able to, like you stop before it got to out of control.. My whole point is that I understand relapse ***** but being able to put the brakes on shows progress in you overall recovery efforts.. Now you have another chance to do it again, so make the most out of this opportunity.. I wish all the best!
Helpful - 0
5262038 tn?1415312585
Hi Sarah,

Someone came into my life I haven't seen in years and was talkin about how she had a bunch of tramadol. So I took 10 :(
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495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi Shawnee.  Sorry to read about your relapse.  What lead up to your relapse?  Cutting your sources is very important to do.  Come back and talk to us~
Helpful - 0
5262038 tn?1415312585
Thank you all. I am insanely down about relapsing having 3 months plus clean. I just need to hear positive things yet I know it's all on me. No one but I can do this. I feel pretty strong but emotionally I am shot. I have told this source no more and I can't contact them. This is a new source as of a week ago. They kinda popped into my life.  As many of you know my fiancĂ© is a doctor so I'll be ok physically but mentally I feel awful. I have a few clonidine left. Thanks so much for all the help! I'll be okay!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Shawnee dear PLEASE hang in there and don't give up on yourself or this site. I have found words of encouragement but it doesn't always come right when I need it. It could be hours or days later when I need someone right now.

Can I offer some encouragement instead of tough love? I am still in the withdrawal stages and on night 8 after a total of only 10 hrs sleep for 7 nights. I was cracking up, seeing things, all logic was gone, I justified using because I needed to sleep. Regardless, my excuse I did find instant support and encouragement.

I looked up NA.ORG and called my local hotline. I am not a member but was transferred to a local recovering addict that was there the exact minute I needed someone. There was no pressure to join or come to a meeting. Just support and understanding from a female that had already and was still walking the same footsteps as me. It also helps them stay sober. Females only speak with females which was comforting also.

Please don't give up on yourself!! Keep coming to this site for advise and support but in desperate needing someone RIGHT NOW try the NA 1-800 number.

NO ONE, is better than you because you relapsed and don't allow anyone to make you fill so!!! We don't know if the answers we receive here are from mild users, hard core abusers, or just someone that knows someone going through it. I'm happy to be a friend that can relate to addiction and the hold it has on us. Most of us are fighting more than one battle at a time and tough love can be so opposite from what we need, when looking for understanding.

For the ones on the site who believe in "tough love", it has the potential to send someone into to full relapse while begging to just hear "I don't think less of you, don't give up trying, we are here with and will not leave you because if it, ect. I know this because lack of support I have around me. Reaching out and admitting is hard enough without being slapped down! I'm overwhelmed with happiness for the people that can walk away and never look back, but none of us REALLY know the others situation. Always have compassion and an open heart first!
Helpful - 0
4898964 tn?1381257899
Hey Shawnee, I hope you're holding up there o.k....  I think you may've taken what Jifmoc said the wrong way.  She is trying to be positive in that she's pointing something out that is causing in-action in the recovery I'm pretty sure.  No one's going to be negative intentionally around here and it's just in the translation I'd think.
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
It is good you came back and you can get positive words. I know you are on the edge emotionally..that happens with a relapse and I think you may have misunderstood the above advice. Everyone here is trying to help you and trying to make suggestions based on your time here. Don't take it the wrong way. Read it again and take something positive from it. Glad you are in counseling. Surround yourself with recovering addicts and have some blind faith.
Helpful - 0
10996785 tn?1432812977
Hey Shawnee it's good you came back. Just before you get to sore tough, know that even tough love is still love. As long as you're still trying. Sometimes a different approach can be good. Sometimes we need a timeout. Sometimes we need a wake up call. We are all different but I do know you can start again and be great again. Best Wishes to you Shawnee...ike
Helpful - 0
5986700 tn?1380791380
Yup....get the feathers out and start dusting.  That's all you can do girl......you're working with an addiction specialist.....this is good....what triggered the relapse hon?  You didn't cut your sources?  ...from where you are....can you see "rock bottom"?  You need to get there fast.  We're always going to be here for you with encouragement and support... But only you can do the work .......how badly do you want this ?  I will send oodles and boodles of positive strengthening energy ....I so want you to get this.  Hugs of hope dear chickie.  xo
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello. Sorry about your relapse. Where do you keep getting the pills? You haven't cut all your sources? Have to do that for this to work. Are you a pain patient? Is Pain what's causing this for you? Because there are lots of other pain managment remedies. All you can do is dust yourself off and try again now.
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5262038 tn?1415312585
Why can't I ask for positive words? I do aftercare everyday. Good to know I can't come on here for extra support.
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Avatar universal
Hey Shawnee. I just logged on and saw your post. Listen girl, in all the time I've been on here, and don't take this as a judgement, you've had the same thing happen over and over. You relapse and ask for positive words and encouragement. I'm sorry, sweetie, that's not working. What happened to aftercare? I mean daily, in person w/ other addicts. That's why it's pushed here so much.
Helpful - 0
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