Aa
3 weeks!
Today is 21 days for me. Thanks everyone for you help and support. I feel awesome today. I remember Mondays when I was using. They were aweful. I just hated um. WDing broke and my body hurt all over. No fun at all. I feel like Im getting my mojo back and things seem pretty normal. I can say I still got away to go but I got 3 weeks and its a pretty good start. I still have bad cravings but those are getting better each and every day. Its the best decision Ive ever made and if youre reading and want to do it. Please come join me. Youll be so glad you did. Ive saved $800 dollars!!!! the past 21 days. Man what a fool Ive been just throwing my money away. I was really close to relapsing this weekend. To close. I didnt though and thats the important thing. Im still learning how to stay clean. Thats the hard part. Quiting seemed easy compared to the intense cravings I have. Its the drug talking, thats all. Thats what I tell myself. Dont be scared to stop ruining your life. Today things are sober and normal and I am happy.
That is the hardest part, I can't be near him. I have to finish a fireplace I started for him while I was on the pills, I don't even know how to handle that part, haven't even addressed it yet.
YAY!!! This is an amazing accomplishment. Wishing you much happiness in all things in your life. Your head is clear and I know you will accomplish great things.
SMILE YOU ARE DOING AWESOME! : ) MV
SMILE YOU ARE DOING AWESOME! : ) MV
Duluth~ I understand. Okay. That uncle is on the list of "people you cannot be near".
Your wife needs some education and I say that because she is your closest support and NEEDS to understand what you're going through. I really think the two of you should go to a couple of meetings...
Stay strong!
Your wife needs some education and I say that because she is your closest support and NEEDS to understand what you're going through. I really think the two of you should go to a couple of meetings...
Stay strong!
I have another post, but my wife's uncle stopped over out of the blue (he has tons of my DOC) and as I was visiting with him, I spotted full bottles of pills all over in the cab of his truck. He came inside and all I could think of is to run out and grab a bottle.. he would not care and if I asked him, he would freely give all I could handle... and soon he would come back to work, the vicious cycle would be complete again.... The addict in me would not let myself tell my wife, I wanted them pills, my knees went weak and I got the shakes n sweats so bad I almost couldn't think straight! After he left I did tell my wife but she just can't believe I would be even tempted again... does not understand! Anyways, the moment has passed and I feel good today! Thanks n god bless!!
Duluth-- Why in the hell do you have a FULL BOTTLE OF PILLS AVAILABLE? That's crazy! There should be nothing available to you. You WILL fail,I promise. Get away from the pills.
To both of you-- It's too early in your sobriety for PAWS. Period. It's a real syndrome but it comes on later in the process,if at all. Most people never experience it. I'm sorry I ever brought it up. You both need to get yourselves some realistic support. You cannot white knuckle your way through this.
To both of you-- It's too early in your sobriety for PAWS. Period. It's a real syndrome but it comes on later in the process,if at all. Most people never experience it. I'm sorry I ever brought it up. You both need to get yourselves some realistic support. You cannot white knuckle your way through this.
You guys are all so great. Im an addict and get way defensive and Im sorry for that. I wanna hear everything. I need tough love.
duluth- Hey, you gotta get ride of those pills bro. I dont want you to face your old demons. Theres so many caring people here to help us out and weve made it this far right? Let me know your cool. Just for today dont worry about tomorrow.
CATUF Thankyou so much for taking the time to educate me. I cant think about dealing with this for 2 years. so I wont.
Jeffclowins. You rock buddy boy. Congrats on 33 days!!!
duluth- Hey, you gotta get ride of those pills bro. I dont want you to face your old demons. Theres so many caring people here to help us out and weve made it this far right? Let me know your cool. Just for today dont worry about tomorrow.
CATUF Thankyou so much for taking the time to educate me. I cant think about dealing with this for 2 years. so I wont.
Jeffclowins. You rock buddy boy. Congrats on 33 days!!!
hey guys your doing great and do WHATEVER by any means necessary to make sure you stay away from the devil pills i know i say it all the time but that's there job to try to make you slip up and take them THAT'S THERE JOB ,,,,,,,NOW YOUR JOB IS to do whatever to not mess up your recovery, both you guys have real decent time in my opinion i mean Rome wasn't built in a day so stand strong and keep up the fight cause your fighting for your life, you know now how it feels to be off the pills ,do you really want to mess up your recovery and possibly have to go through this B/S AGAIN ,i don't think you do and your both are really doing a fantastic job so be proud of yourself and F THOSE stinking pills they SU CK all they ever did was turn all of us to what WE WERE but were not that no more, so i am proud of you guys so really keep up the fight and you will succeed i know you will,god bless the both of you ,,NOW start cheering up you guys rock ,ONE DAY AT A TIME .....JEFF...
Having pills available is not good. Do something with them: flush them, turn them in to your doctor, whatever you have to do. If they're there, one of these days you *will* take one. Not trying to sound pessimistic or like I'm coming down on you, but we all know how it goes. Chances are, the little devils will make you relapse if they're around. Best of luck to you!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do you have a bottle of pills available to you right now? Please tell me i read that wrong.
Copied below is a piece that's about as good as anything I've read on PAWS. When I learned about PAWS I finally understood why I had relapsed som many times around the 30 day mark, when I had been so sincere about quitting. The following is from http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/post-acute-withdrawal.htm
=========================
There are two stages of withdrawal. The first stage is the acute stage, which usually lasts at most a few weeks. During this stage, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. But every drug is different, and every person is different.
The second stage of withdrawal is called the Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). During this stage you'll have fewer physical symptoms, but more emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
Post-acute withdrawal occurs because your brain chemistry is gradually returning to normal. As your brain improves the levels of your brain chemicals fluctuate as they approach the new equilibrium causing post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
Most people experience some post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Whereas in the acute stage of withdrawal every person is different, in post-acute withdrawal most people have the same symptoms.
The Symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal
The most common post-acute withdrawal symptoms are:
Mood swings
Anxiety
Irritability
Tiredness
Variable energy
Low enthusiasm
Variable concentration
Disturbed sleep
Post-acute withdrawal feels like a rollercoaster of symptoms. In the beginning, your symptoms will change minute to minute and hour to hour. Later as you recover further they will disappear for a few weeks or months only to return again. As you continue to recover the good stretches will get longer and longer. But the bad periods of post-acute withdrawal can be just as intense and last just as long.
Each post-acute withdrawal episode usually last for a few days. Once you've been in recovery for a while, you will find that each post-acute withdrawal episode usually lasts for a few days. There is no obvious trigger for most episodes. You will wake up one day feeling irritable and have low energy. If you hang on for just a few days, it will lift just as quickly as it started. After a while you'll develop confidence that you can get through post-acute withdrawal, because you'll know that each episode is time limited.
Post-acute withdrawal usually lasts for 2 years. This is one of the most important things you need to remember. If you're up for the challenge you can get though this. But if you think that post-acute withdrawal will only last for a few months, then you'll get caught off guard, and when you're disappointed you're more likely to relapse. (Reference: www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org)
How to Survive Post-Acute Withdrawal
Be patient. Two years can feel like a long time if you're in a rush to get through it. You can't hurry recovery. But you can get through it one day at a time.
If you try to rush your recovery, or resent post-acute withdrawal, or try to bulldoze your way through, you'll become exhausted. And when you're exhausted you'll think of using to escape.
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms are a sign that your brain is recovering. They are the result of your brain chemistry gradually going back to normal. Therefore don't resent them. But remember, even after one year, you are still only half way there.
Go with the flow. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable. But the more you resent them the worse they'll seem. You'll have lots of good days over the next two years. Enjoy them. You'll also have lots of bad days. On those days, don't try to do too much. Take care of yourself, focus on your recovery, and you'll get through this.
Practice self-care. Give yourself lots of little breaks over the next two years. Tell yourself "what I am doing is enough." Be good to yourself. That is what most addicts can't do, and that's what you must learn in recovery. Recovery is the opposite of addiction.
Sometimes you'll have little energy or enthusiasm for anything. Understand this and don't over book your life. Give yourself permission to focus on your recovery.
Post-acute withdrawal can be a trigger for relapse. You'll go for weeks without any withdrawal symptoms, and then one day you'll wake up and your withdrawal will hit you like a ton of bricks. You'll have slept badly. You'll be in a bad mood. Your energy will be low. And if you're not prepared for it, if you think that post-acute withdrawal only lasts for a few months, or if you think that you'll be different and it won't be as bad for you, then you'll get caught off guard. But if you know what to expect you can do this.
Being able to relax will help you through post-acute withdrawal. When you're tense you tend to dwell on your symptoms and make them worse. When you're relaxed it's easier to not get caught up in them. You aren't as triggered by your symptoms which means you're less likely to relapse.
Remember, every relapse, no matter how small undoes the gains your brain has made during recovery. Without abstinence everything will fall apart. With abstinence everything is possible. (Reference: www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org)
Recovery and Relapse Prevention Strategies
For more techniques on how to get through withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal look at the pages on recovery skills and relapse prevention strategies. You can recover from addiction.
=========================
There are two stages of withdrawal. The first stage is the acute stage, which usually lasts at most a few weeks. During this stage, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. But every drug is different, and every person is different.
The second stage of withdrawal is called the Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). During this stage you'll have fewer physical symptoms, but more emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
Post-acute withdrawal occurs because your brain chemistry is gradually returning to normal. As your brain improves the levels of your brain chemicals fluctuate as they approach the new equilibrium causing post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
Most people experience some post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Whereas in the acute stage of withdrawal every person is different, in post-acute withdrawal most people have the same symptoms.
The Symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal
The most common post-acute withdrawal symptoms are:
Mood swings
Anxiety
Irritability
Tiredness
Variable energy
Low enthusiasm
Variable concentration
Disturbed sleep
Post-acute withdrawal feels like a rollercoaster of symptoms. In the beginning, your symptoms will change minute to minute and hour to hour. Later as you recover further they will disappear for a few weeks or months only to return again. As you continue to recover the good stretches will get longer and longer. But the bad periods of post-acute withdrawal can be just as intense and last just as long.
Each post-acute withdrawal episode usually last for a few days. Once you've been in recovery for a while, you will find that each post-acute withdrawal episode usually lasts for a few days. There is no obvious trigger for most episodes. You will wake up one day feeling irritable and have low energy. If you hang on for just a few days, it will lift just as quickly as it started. After a while you'll develop confidence that you can get through post-acute withdrawal, because you'll know that each episode is time limited.
Post-acute withdrawal usually lasts for 2 years. This is one of the most important things you need to remember. If you're up for the challenge you can get though this. But if you think that post-acute withdrawal will only last for a few months, then you'll get caught off guard, and when you're disappointed you're more likely to relapse. (Reference: www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org)
How to Survive Post-Acute Withdrawal
Be patient. Two years can feel like a long time if you're in a rush to get through it. You can't hurry recovery. But you can get through it one day at a time.
If you try to rush your recovery, or resent post-acute withdrawal, or try to bulldoze your way through, you'll become exhausted. And when you're exhausted you'll think of using to escape.
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms are a sign that your brain is recovering. They are the result of your brain chemistry gradually going back to normal. Therefore don't resent them. But remember, even after one year, you are still only half way there.
Go with the flow. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable. But the more you resent them the worse they'll seem. You'll have lots of good days over the next two years. Enjoy them. You'll also have lots of bad days. On those days, don't try to do too much. Take care of yourself, focus on your recovery, and you'll get through this.
Practice self-care. Give yourself lots of little breaks over the next two years. Tell yourself "what I am doing is enough." Be good to yourself. That is what most addicts can't do, and that's what you must learn in recovery. Recovery is the opposite of addiction.
Sometimes you'll have little energy or enthusiasm for anything. Understand this and don't over book your life. Give yourself permission to focus on your recovery.
Post-acute withdrawal can be a trigger for relapse. You'll go for weeks without any withdrawal symptoms, and then one day you'll wake up and your withdrawal will hit you like a ton of bricks. You'll have slept badly. You'll be in a bad mood. Your energy will be low. And if you're not prepared for it, if you think that post-acute withdrawal only lasts for a few months, or if you think that you'll be different and it won't be as bad for you, then you'll get caught off guard. But if you know what to expect you can do this.
Being able to relax will help you through post-acute withdrawal. When you're tense you tend to dwell on your symptoms and make them worse. When you're relaxed it's easier to not get caught up in them. You aren't as triggered by your symptoms which means you're less likely to relapse.
Remember, every relapse, no matter how small undoes the gains your brain has made during recovery. Without abstinence everything will fall apart. With abstinence everything is possible. (Reference: www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org)
Recovery and Relapse Prevention Strategies
For more techniques on how to get through withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal look at the pages on recovery skills and relapse prevention strategies. You can recover from addiction.
You had better make those pills unavailable. They will call your name and keep calling!
Congrats to both of you on your clean time......Guard it with your life!
Congrats to both of you on your clean time......Guard it with your life!
I have no pills THANK GOD. HAHA. Im stupid, not that stupid...Im going to the gym. Stretch my back out. Get my mind right.
I don't know why you have pills available, or why you would, but it is dangerous. If you are wondering why you are having cravings, start there. I am concerned that you have that available and hope you will do the right thing and get rid of them!! I'll say an extra prayer for you tonight.
Great 6 months from now I can go through this again huh. Sweet. The cravings will make ya crazy! I dont think Im trying to make myself crazy. I dont know anymore.
Duluth-well give it time dude. I dont know whats going on man. PAWS NO PAWS. Who really knows. We gotta give it time. 3 weeks is really nothing and everyone says things get better. Dont forget the pain we had to suffer through man. I didnt forget at all. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Ibkeen and vicki595-Thanks you all. I sure wish I had nothing but postivie things to post but I dont. This is hard. Thanks for your help. I need it big time.
Duluth-well give it time dude. I dont know whats going on man. PAWS NO PAWS. Who really knows. We gotta give it time. 3 weeks is really nothing and everyone says things get better. Dont forget the pain we had to suffer through man. I didnt forget at all. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Ibkeen and vicki595-Thanks you all. I sure wish I had nothing but postivie things to post but I dont. This is hard. Thanks for your help. I need it big time.
Uh oh, 70 days to go? I am driving myself nuts... I always looked for a boost in a pill when I was feeling down... now its 5 hour energy but with a full bottle of pills available its really tough... ugh, back to facing my demons...
Yes, agree with IBK. You are not anywhere near 100% after just 3 weeks. Actually,many people without support and structure in their life succumb to the withdrawals at this point. So,keep your guard up and keep your focus. We don't want to chase you guys down to kick your butt! It's great to be aware of PAWS so you understand some pitfalls that may rear their head in the future. For now,reach out for as much support as you can get. Please utilize everything available to you. AA/NA is free.
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
You guys are going to make yourselves crazy. Neither of you have PAWS. PAWS does not manifest itself until, at least 4 months out..typically 6 months. Neither of you could possibly have it. What you are both experiencing is withdrawal, the same one you started 3 weeks ago.
It takes most people 90 days for the symptoms to subside.
It takes most people 90 days for the symptoms to subside.
Thanks, I looked it up and sure enough, that's what I got! I realize why I've failed so many times, once the major wd's are over I was thinking I would be in the clear... I do feel good for the most part, just get the shakes and sweats when I get the cravings! I hope tomorrow is better, one day at a time! I need to get some more time under my belt, I am just glad im free of that vicious cycle... im in good company! Thanks so much!
duluth- dude you and me seem to be exactly the same bro. I feel great today. Im proud of myself. The cravings are haunting me man. All freakin day. Pills on the brain. Its not fun. To top it off I dont know what I did to my lowere pack but it is killling me! Hey man, these are the days everybody warns us about right? Ill pray for ya man. Go read those old posts. Look this up acute withdrawl syndrome. Another person here gave that to me and its exactly how I feel. They talk about the weeks AFTER we wd and get it out of our system. The bad cravings. It was very eye opening for me. Look it cause thats what you AND me are going through. Its not us, its not us so dont feel bad for thinking the way you are. Youre not alone thats for sure. I feel aweful for wanting to use. One day at a time. One day at a time. One day at a time. Ugh!!! I hate this.
Congrats! 21 days tomorrow at 4pm for me, for me today the cravings are making my knees go weak... they are so intense I don't know what to do with myself, I can't get my mind straight... I just feel weak from head to toe wondering how long this lasts, its like wd's all over again! So crazy the power of this pill, my wife wants me to go home til it passes... ugh I have already forgotten why I wanted to quit, so I will read my old posts again, pray for me all, I need it today! Stay strong my friend, and god bless!!
Good for you and good work! You need to stay on this road and get all the help and support you can find. It makes a huge difference! Now is the time to put some support in place. We all need it,believe me...
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
