for all of you that are clean today and have been clean for years

[strong_survivor]

Can you pls tell me what has helped you ton stay clean for so long???

[motye51]

N/A, N/A, N/A.....some form of aftercare. Willpower is not going to cut it....

[strong_survivor]

Thank you so much everyone this has really helped in so many ways yes i am going to go to aftercare!! I want to be right where most of you are at!!2 years clean wow thats an inspiration..i just need the tools to stay clean cause getting clean is easier and staying clean!! I have relapsed once and dont want to do it again! I want to fight this addiction with my all!! And all of this advice and tips is exactly what i needed to know thank you and god bless!

[Cricketk92]

WOW You got some good advice above but the one thing in them all is aftercare!!!  I am going to a counselor, doing a dual diagnosis group and going to an AA and an NA meeting!  You have to have support through all of this cause it is too easy for our minds to tell us we can just do one more!!!!   The AA/NA meetings are free so look up where the closet one is to you and just GO!!!!  You dont have to be clean to go and they will welcome you!!!  We are all here for you too giving all the help we can give!!  XO Karen

[Bigdaddy1313]

Lying, Lying, Lying.
When I was using I lied to my wife so much I didn't even know if I was lying or telling the truth. I'm pretty sure I was lying:) I hated myself so much for lying and that is a big reason I will never go back to being that person!

Aftercare, Working your own program, Talking to a recovering addict every day, and telling the truth are keys to staying clean.

Finally knowing I will never be 100 percent healed from the disease of addiction is key for me to stay vigilant. 2-years clean and sober on March 13, 2015!

[IBKleen]

Aftercare, Aftercare, Aftercare. I can't stress it enough.

[Merri123]

Honestly pure strong willed stubbornness.

Because I will not do that stuff ever again. Nothing no one will change that. Period.

[vicki595]

I've been clean for years and aftercare is a huge part of my recovery. I made a plan early on that involved changing up my routines; getting an exercise schedule; going after support from my partner, doctor, counsellor, and this forum. Together it's working for me.   Support is crucial.

[gnarly_1]

Hi well im glad you asked  I tryed a lot of different thing for aftercare the pastor at my church a substance abuse counselor even a shrink all work somewhat and I was able to abstain from the drugs but none addressed the addict that lived inside me and the addictive behaviors it wasent until I hit the rooms of N/A that I finely started to treat the addict inside me  with help from the meetings and the 12 steps I have learned to deal with the additive behavior and finely seen some grouth.. with time I have even lost the desire to use  this is the only progam that can do that for you if you haven't been to N/a yet get to a meeting I cannot over emphasize how critical aftercare is to the addict without it you will be at wits end with the disease google N/A meeting in your area and check it out......Gnarly

[kellygirll]

AFTERCARE AFTERCARE AFTERCARE they say it all the time it took quite some time for it to sink in for me but i KNOW it is what is keeping me clean that and working with my sponsor best of luck to you

[refills]

Almost 5 months clean. I recently had a moment. The anxiety can tear you up but I got past it. The real people on here really helped. Aftercare can be key to staying clean. For me, I wiped away everything in my past. I or my family told everyone who we could reach. My old habits have been declared dead. If you don't have anything to return to. Well, you only have your future to rely on. Good Luck.... you can do it..ike

[Dozeman]

well I aint completely clean yet but for me its always haveing to go see the Dr for pain meds and the worry if he is gonna write the scripts but he always did dont know why I would think he wouldnt but mostly not wanting to depend on a pill to avoid w/d even though I never abused it is still a miserable life to live when I am done they can keep that **** I will not take another Narcotic untill I am to old to remember my name and some Dr put me on it till then I will be scared of an Asprin

[strong_survivor]

ok thanks i will probably just google some aftercare programs in my area :) thank you and bless your heart..

[jifmoc]

Oh, hell, if it cost anything I'd be screwed, too! I'm referring to meetings: AA or NA (same program.) That's what I do and many others. There is something called "Smart recovery" that I don't know about but I've heard the name.

[strong_survivor]

@jifmoc how doni enroll into aftercafe do i have to have insurance to do that or get into that kind of program cause i def believe i need it..

[jifmoc]

You asked how someone STAYS clean, someone that has YEARS, right? Well, (and God willing I will be at a year in the not too distant future), no one said it yet, but it's...drum roll....aftercare. All the folks on here that have significant clean time are in aftercare!! I could never STAY clean before I got into a program. As Gnarly often says once you remove the drugs, it's you with your addict brain alone, and that's what needs work. It's the case in "real life" as well: folks who are invested in their programs stay clean.

You are right: every one of us has had or will have a trigger and we need an army of support so we know what to do. Can't tell you how many people I met who went out and had ONE pill or ONE drink, thinking that would be the extent of the relapse, and they stayed out for years. Scary.

[strong_survivor]

That is awesome im just trying to get some inspiration and help on how once i get fully clean how i can stay clean cause i know there we be times when someones or somthing pushes me to that limit to use!!..and i want to know what to do when that day comes..

[Ashamedmama]

I'm very new to this detox. Not new to addiction  however . I'm on day 9 of CT off oxycodone. My husband takes them for his disability and that's how I was introduced. He doesn't abuse them, but boy I did. I'm not getting a lot of support from him right now and it's been tough.

So I found his script on his dresser this morning. (He was supposed to hide them) I didn't take any. I walked away. Right now I'm mad! I hate those pills! I hate everything about them! And I'm just now slowly starting to feel better, and I don't want to ever go through this withdrawl again!

So my advice. Get angry at whatever has gotten a hold of you! Tell it to F-off! That it will NEVER control you again! Dig your heals in and become the most defiant person towards it! Treat it like a living thing and vow to kick it's a**!

At least that's what I'm doing ! Check back with me in a couple days. Hopefully I will still be fighting!

Wishing you so much strength!

[VICourageous]

PATIENCE, PATIENCE, & TIME AND MORE TIME!!!!

For me in since 2012 it has been a up & down battle.
I go to all the support I can and now I have the church call me , out of the blue, when I am having a real bad day. It is very hard for someone who has been using off & on for over 40 yrs. LOTS OF CHANGES.

The Mental is the worst, but you just have to know all of this will pass. This is why I say "Patience".

Get to lots of meetings and even some church groups!!! Anything!
I wish you the best!

PS. The BIG thing is that I have learned on here is to stay away from people, places and things that you know there are drugs!!!!!!!!!!
Bless

[Shawnee1988]

My self worth, my fiancé, my family. I don't want to lose them and push them away. They are my life.