am I to old for a drug worker

Question

Does any one have 3yrs clean time but still have to talk to there drug councilor. I don't know if it's just me .or do other people need to talk to there councilors as well. Will I need the help of fiona I feel happier when there is someone on the other end of the phone. Should I be over all this by now. Or do I need to go it alone now or do I really need to go it alone. R ember I'm an over 3yr clean heroin addict. Maybe it's fear of not having that great person to talk to. Do any of you guys or gals feel the same as me is it of letting them go . I love going to see fiona and the pride I feel and she feels what they are clean makes both of us very happy. God I don't known what I would do without you fiona you are my star. But is it time for me to go it alone James

IBKleen · Accepted Answer

I have 7 years clean and I would NOT entertain the thought of going it alone. I did 3 years of counseling but I was also heavily involved in NA. Today I am again heavily involved in the fellowships of NA and AA. 

I think this is your disease talking and I don't think you should listen to it. It is stinkin' thinkin' and it is dangerous. This is a "we" thing, not an "I" thing. 

The day I walk away thinking I can dl it alone is the day I pick up a drug...

atthebeach · Answer

james we can never get to much support, encouragment and help.
no man is an island.......

dominosarah · Answer

We got ourselves in this mess doing it by ourselves so you just stick close to Fiona.

EvolverU · Answer

Good on You, James :)

stilltrying1965 · Answer

That's it i can't go it alone
 My councilor helps me big time.iv not got any thought of dropping fiona
she helps me when times are hard she  is only a phone call away .so thank you all for your answers.i  no myself that I still need her support. And to answer one question we don't pay for treatment on the national health  in Scotland it's free. . Thank you all again James .........

EvolverU · Answer

Hi James & a hearty Congrats on 3 Yrs. (awesome!):

If your counselor is helping you & you gain strength & groundedness from it, then it sounds like a good thing! (AA/NA is not for everyone, though it's a good starting point). 

I think we give ourselves the best chance when we build a framework of supports & skills to protect ourselves when stuff comes up that's challenging (& it always does & will, eh?)

I totally understand the need to 'move on' but this might not be (& I certainly don't know) the move you need. For instance, have you been making the strides -- growing if you will -- when it comes to the rest of your life? I only mention this because sometimes we don't see where the 'restlessness' is coming from. (Talking from personal experience, here :)

The question that sprang to mind on reading your post, is this: 'What is it about the situation that is making you doubt the need for it?' There is no 'cut-off' time for support & age makes no nevermind. It would probably be a good idea to examine this impulse closely & see where it leads you. I find that watching our thoughts & digging into our motivations is key & helps us to tighten our game. As you know, addiction is a sneaky b*stard & can fool even those w/ massive clean time into complacency, doubt or restlessness. I've known folks to relapse after many years. Have you spoken to your counselor about these feelings?

Best of the Best to you & Congrats Again! :)

weaver71 · Answer

I don't have 3 years til July, but I think I am going to continue seeing a therapist. I figure, in my darkest hours of detox, that I was going to spend the rest of my life trying to be a better and better person. I also learned in detox that nothing changes, if nothing changes, so if I'm not doing SOMETHING to be a better and better person, I think I would feel I failed myself. To be a better person is the reason I see my therapist, so I suppose that's how I came to think I will continue to need to talk about things. I will never be perfect, but I gotta keep trying.

motye51 · Answer

I think this is somewhat dangerous thinking....you must see a counselor instead of doing a program like N/A or A/A?  If it were me....and again, this is just my opinion, I think where I would start questioning is how much $$ do you pay your godess Fiona for these weekly meetings?  I only ask that b/c N/A and A/A and SMART recovery and such are free?  
Awesome on 3 years....I think that's fantastic...but I don't ever think we should be doing "on our own" My opinion, once an addict always an addict and something should be done every day, to ensure you stay clean.  Maybe it's time to try something different? Just an opinion.....