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1866508 tn?1333984613

Endeavor to Persevere

Greetings to all......I feel like I need to  get this out there even though I am so embarassed  and angry. I was 3 days into my detox as some of you are already aware..and this morning my uncle came over to pay me some money he owed me and instead of money he brought pills!!!! I waas probably at my weakest point in my detox and so, albeit begrudgingly,I took them and yes I took some of them so I have fallen off the horse yet again!! I am so angry with myself (and my uncle) for allowing this addiction to win again....I had to go and delete my addiction tracker...that was really painful.....and here I go having to start at this again......my apologies to all of you who have been so kind to offer your advice and words of encouragement, I feel like such a loser..I'm gonna go do some serious soul searching here....as I must "Endeavor to Persevere"...peace.......

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
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Avatar universal
Believe me when I tell you - like so many others here have said - you are not a loser! Don't make the mistake of judging your self-worth or your struggle for sobriety on how you FEEL. If you allow your emotions to lead you, they will take you here, there and everywhere ... especially now that you are fighting this battle to get clean. I went through something quite similar a few years back. I went into rehab because I had been on drugs/narcotics for chronic pain for years, nearly 10 of them. I wanted to get clean so I could determine what my pain level had become. The rehab facility used suboxone to wean patients off whatever they were addicted/dependent on. I was only there a week, and I sept through most of it. When I came home I was anxious and irritable. The rehab place had given me absolutely no information or skills in regards to what to expect from post-rehab. Looking back at the experience now, it truly makes me angry because I can't imagine how anyone could have stayed clean after being in that place. The two doctors than owned the facility were only in it for the money. No one could possibly convince me otherwise! Several days later, I ended up going back into rehab at a well known area hospital. I had begun going through withdrawls. Due to a complete lack of information from the first rehab; I was very confused. I thought I was supposed to be 'cured' already. The second rehab place sent me home with suboxone and told me to locate a doctor that prescribed it, a.s.a.p. When I came here to medhelp I learned about the nature of suboxone - it was quite addictive, I was very upset. I didn't understand the reason for getting me off one narcotic only to put me on another! I nearly weaned myself myself off the suboxone when I withdrawls became seriously difficult. Well ... that's when my oldest daughter came over to see how I was doing. She also happens to have back pain like I do. She saw how I was and then dug her methadone out of her purse and 'made' me take them. Obviously, I didn't fight off what she was offering and  it happened on more than one occasion. I recall crying like a baby because I was so-o disappointed and disgusted with myself. Sound familiar?? Granted, the methadone got me off the suboxone. ... I got myself off the methadone, cold turkey. After being on 10mg. daily for @ 18 months I just stopped taking it, period. I was scared to death about what I would go through, but oddly enough I had no withdrawls whatsoever -  I know now just how  fortunate I was... but it took me 3  tries at it before I could finally claim my sobriety! I understand, all too well, how you are feeling - but what's done is done. Beating yourself up isn't going to change what's over and done. Don't drag this mistake around with you. Getting clean is difficult enough - you don't need to punish yourself because you made a wrong choice. Just hold onto one day, one hour or one minute at a time. Whatever it takes to get you yet another day of sobriety! Mark you came here and owned up to what happened. That couldn't have been easy - in fact, I see it as a very brave act. I hope that you will give yourself a break. Please, while you work at your recovery, be kind and patient with yourself. You will need both to keep yourself clean, because being drug free IS both an act of kindness and self worth! Here you will be understood because we have either done it ourselves or have experience with someone that has. I have seen my own 'story' (countless times!) in the posts left here at medhelp. Although we are all uniquely different  people - our addiction(s) are not. At it's core, addiction is just not that complex. You are fighting for the quality of the rest of your life!  You CAN do this Mark. No matter what, keep coming back here and let us know how you are getting along, okay??  Take care Mark!  
52 Responses
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2025470 tn?1334015391
I'm glad you flushed them Mark!  I kept telling myself to grind it out minute by minute until I see some improvement...  It will come my friend.

Stay tough!

Sean
Helpful - 0
1866508 tn?1333984613
Hey folks....thought I would update for those I haven't already communicated with.....I decided to have a little "potty party" with the last of what I had.....my daughter and son-in-law were there....got a couple of hugs and some encouragement from them and now I move into the real fun....I'm 17 hours in and feel like #### but still ready to get this done.....thanks to all of you for all the advice, encouragement, and just plain humanity in general I will post as I go...."it is what it is"....peace all.....

pilamaye kolas........

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
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1866508 tn?1333984613
ahh very wise advice......I completely agree.......the silence speaks only wisdom.......thanks for your support......peace my friend.....

Mark
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495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
As one of my native friends here on the forum has told me so many times  is to sit quietly and you will feel their presence~~~
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1866508 tn?1333984613
minn.....thank you for your continued support it means a great deal to me in this struggle....I have strengthened my resolve and confirmed my choice yet again.....thank you and please keep checkin' on this old NdN....I'll need  the support especially the next few days....pilamaye kola....wowahwa......


Mark
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1866508 tn?1333984613
Sarah....thank you for your words of encouragement I will do it this time....I have to do it this time....I will draw on the strength of my ancestors...as I've said somewhere before if I was half as tough as they were this would be no battle at all.....I continue down this path it is good to have the support and company from those of you that have gone before me and remember the way and why we do this....thank you....pilamaye kola...wowahwa ...

Mark
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Avatar universal
Hi Mark, glad to see your post. Great job on getting back on track. Stay the course. I believe in you.

Love and peace,

Minn
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495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
I read in your one response about your people needing help.  Show them what you are made of, climb thru the ashes and let them see it can be done.  I know you have it in you~~~sara
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1866508 tn?1333984613
just an update.....back on target after the "mishap" I have only taken 1 pill every 12 hours since Friday....just went and re-stocked up on Vitamin water crackers and some fruit.....feeling tired and my pain levels are ramping up but that was expected....no surprise...thanks again for everyone sticking with me....thank God you folks stay the course with those of us still trying to win this battle....you guys really don't shoot the wounded or leave a buddy behind...it is much appreciated....peace.....

pilamaye kolas....

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
Helpful - 0
1866508 tn?1333984613
hey bkitty....thanks for the words and indeed I think I have forgotten who I am without these drugs...I must change that and reclaim the person that I am and not let my addiction define me...I am still working hard here and have not given up....
i will get there and I will need to lean on you guys as I go as you have made this journey successfully and know the way....thank you for helping me to get there..........hoka hey!!!!!......peace......

pilamaye kola.....

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
Helpful - 0
1866508 tn?1333984613
hey minn.....thanks for sharing that with me....nature is indeed a powerful force for me as I feel most at home when I am somewhere that I can't see or hear cars,planes or the general hustle of "city life" if things wern't in such despare back on the rez I would move back....but there is no housing except to pile in with relatives who already have WAY TOO MANY living in small houses..and way too much alcoholism and drug abuse yet I do miss it though...not that part but you know what I mean (hopefully).....but on the bright side I have held to my word and have only taken 1 pill per 12 hours and I feel like horse poo but I am making it...thank you all for the continued support and strenghthening my resolve....onward I go hoka hey!!!! peace.......

pilamaye kola..

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You have a great attitude!! Like I said,,you know what you need to do. For me in the beginning there was like a disconnect,,I knew what I needed to do but I was unable to carry it out/act it out. Mostly because of the withdrawal hell that you go thru and then the mental abuse. It also was and uncomfortable feeling,,,being sober again. I was not used to it. Honestly,,in the beginning,,I didnt like it at all. I just kept telling myself that this is my new reality and in time I will get used to it again. I did. It just takes time and perseverence. ;)) You got this,,youll make the connection. ((Hugs))~Bkitty
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Avatar universal
Oh Mark, you sound like such a kind and gentle soul. I am glad you got to spend time with your family. I love nature too and find when I can be outside walking, or, working in the in the yard and garden, that I feel better.  Although we live in a subdivision there is a strip of woods next to our house. Early in the morning I can see and hear lots of birds, watch rabbits and squirrels play and there is even a beautiful red fox and his mate who come drink from our water feature. I lived in the country on a farm until I got divorced several years ago. I felt so lost when I had to live in an apartment. I am very thankful I found this tiny little condo and still have a little piece of country in my life. I am sorry for rambling, but your post hit home with me because I understand your feelings of being lost and out of place.

Take care and God bless,

Minn
Helpful - 0
1866508 tn?1333984613
gnarly....your honesty and sincerity is above question you have made a great many people see the right way to get this done and I respect that....
i will take your suggestion on aftercare into my own council and see if it might not work for me.....I'm really bad in groups...always feel like I am out of place unless I am back in South Dakota around my Indian relatives and you can;t even imagine the hard times and abuse and od's and suicide amongst the youth of my people it is very disheartening...I have to win my battle so maybe I can help others......the Indian people need some help.....peace my brother your words are taken to heart.....

pilamaye kola.......dok sha

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
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Avatar universal
HEY Dude ......not to many of us would have been able to pass up that kind of temptation 3 days into a detox so dont beat yourself up.....just use this as a learning experience
and know just how powerful your enemy is......look at the bright side you not using now you have regained your composure time to move on pick your self up .....dust yourself off put one foot in front of the other and walk this thing out YOU CAN DO THIS it just going to take some work If I where you I would get involved with aftercare right away it will help you and give you a support system there is no substitute for human interaction N/A is where I started out it works if you work it give it a shot we all wasnt to see you get well and all are offering up advise on how to do this we have been in your shoes good luck and God bless........Gnarly    
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1866508 tn?1333984613
Hey snake....I had a very good day....spent it with my 2 daughters and both grandchildren...we walked out in nature and spent some time down at the creek...I guess bein' an old Indian i just feel more calm and together when out with the Earth Mother she soothes me as does all of nature....I will win this war...I may have more battle scars when I'm done but that's ok.....thank you for the concern and compassion and wise words they truly help and mean a lot....peace....

pilamaye kola...

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi again, Mark. I hope your day went well and that you went to bed tonight feeling better about things. I thought of you all day. I am praying for your physical and emotional comfort tonight while you sleep. Have a good Sunday, being mindful of the simple joys and blessings that are part of each day and giving thanks for them. I am thinking of you and wishing you the very best---Margaret
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1866508 tn?1333984613
Bkitty...thanks for the reply....and I do know and I will continue my battle....I spent the day with my two daughters and my grandson and granddaughter...it was a really good day....it helped to remind me of one of the most important reasons to win this war.....I have done a lot of thinking since this happened and I have only taken 2 pills in 12 hours so I am treating as it was part of my taper.....I am striving to not take the remaining few.......but at the very least no more than 1 per 12 hours and then back to the biginning of the circle.....but with renewed resolve and determination....thank you for your support....peace.....

pilamaye kola....

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
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Avatar universal
OMgosh,,that made no sense at all,,Im sorry. I was trying to say that you know what you need to do to remain sober. ((hugs))~bkitty
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Avatar universal
Dont beat yourself up over this at all!! What matters the most is what you are gonna do from here on out! You know what you know what you need to do.! ((hugs))~Bkitty
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1866508 tn?1333984613
hey minn.....nah you did not butcher anything......I firmly believe as my ancestors say "mitakuye oyasin" which means that we are all related...all of the 4 legged creatures...the winged creatures...the creatures of the water as well as the "standing people" or those of the plants...and yes even us 2 legged creatures...we are indeed all related as we came from the same Mother...our beautiful Mother Earth...and we should all bear this in mind as we walk down the Red Road of life and do no harm to any and only take what we must and always give something in return....much as you are trying to give me the benefit of your knowledge and understanding of this disease of addiction....I really am honored by the words of you and all the others who are trying to help me...it won't be forgotten....peace...

Wopila Tunkashila....pilamaye kola.....mitakuye oyasin....hetchetu welo.....
(Thank You Gradfathers....thank you my friend...we are all related...it is so)

n8tiv_ndn
Mark












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Avatar universal
I am sorry, but I post from my phone and I guess I posted by mistake. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I have always felt a connection with the Native American people and their relationship with nature and spirituality. I believe if people reach within they can tap into a natural, higher power. I have probably totally butchered my entire point, lol, but I would love to have that spiritual, natural connection.
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Avatar universal
Although I am of German and English descent, for some reason, since I was a child, I felt a connection with the Native American people. I recall begging my mother for an Indian headdress. I read everything I c
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1866508 tn?1333984613
Thanks minn....my father was Oglala Lakota my mother was Comanche and Scotch Irish.....I still have many relatives living on the Pine Ridge rez in South Dakota....I lived up there for many years ....Wounded Knee and Manderson I still go back most every summer for the family Sundance...boy I sure miss being able to take in ceremonies I could really stand a trip to the Inipi lodge(sweatlodge)........I will continue to pull from the strength of my ancestors and all of you fine folks that are trying to help me along in this journey.....if I had half the strength of most of my ancestors I do not think this battle would be so hard...they were truly a resilient tough bunch of people.....at any rate I appreciate your support and I will continue to draw strength from the kind words.....peace

Mitakuye oyasin
(We are all related)

pilamaye kola....

n8tiv_ndn
Mark
Helpful - 0
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