Have I changed?

[MikeInFrance]

I just finished a quick breakfast with a friend I haven't seen the entire time I used. This was important for me to gauge the old old  me compared to the improving me. And I think ibam a very observant person and I like to think that I can read people pretty good and especially people I know....with that said it was great seein her just now and she looked at me like she always did and talked toe the same and quite honestly noticed nothing physically or mentally in me thatay have been different. Before she just left I told her j am gonna ask her a very serious question by text and to give me a honest to God answer .... I will ask specifically if she noticed anything whatsoever that may have changed in me. This is very helpful to my recovery.

[Opiategurl]

What matters is that you feel a difference in yourself...that one friend may not be all that observant...you never know. I am done with the wd but now I feel like Im starting my life over...its hard but i imagine just like the wd it will get better everyday....too soon to feel hopless! keep posting.

[MikeInFrance]

So as I said in my opening comment in this thread I sent a text to my friend after breakfast and asked her to be brutally honest and tell me exactly what if any changes she saw in me positive or negative after last seeing me before I started with Oxys?  Nada....she saw me like she always did.....only when pressed did she say "I don't know....maybe you were tired but it was morning!" ok I am done doing that to people now...lol

[MikeInFrance]

Definately a life changing experience for me! Priorities, thought process, analyzing situations have all shifted. Like someone living on their own and all of a sudden you have a baby to take care of. And you have no idea how. So you learn and teach yourself by reaching out to others.

[ducky406]

The biggest change an outsider usually sees is the old you shining through. After my sister stopped using it was like she never left. She stopped being that person who used others to help her get that high and started being the creative, compassionate, and very strange lady I've always adored. It was a huge change, especially because I thought I'd never see that side of her again. And of course it was obvious as far as her appearance went too- she went from 125lb, waxy skin, brittle straw hair, and glossy eyes to curvy 145 lbs, with beautiful shiny hair and brilliant green eyes. She just radiated health and life where before she was almost vacant of both. And that was only a couple months after she got sober. I still remember being shocked when I saw her.

That being said, it can be very difficult for someone who has never used or had any addiction to understand what you're going through. That could cause tension, and if it does maybe try to bring them to an open AA meeting. If they bring an open mind, they will learn lots. So yes, you will retain that old you that all your friends and family love, but part of you is changed by this struggle and experience. Definitely in a good way, but having to do something as hard as becoming sober changes a person.

[charliej41]

Hey mike good to see u still hanging in there my family told me that they have a hard time telling when I on the pills even no they known I had a drug problem and was looking for it but I was very good at hiding it so it hard to tell sometime

[Opiategurl]

My friends noticed that I changed when I was using. But they never told me, I had to ask...maybe she doesnt know what to think since its the first time shes seen you in awhile. Give it time...the old you will come back.