Helping my community SOBER.U can get&STAY CLEAN

[overopiates]

I live n a town right outside of Hattiesburg called Petal in Mississippi.We have a vicious storm&a couple streets over there r homes gone.To the ground from the tornados that hit this week.Im blessed our home is ok but both cities have been visited from fema and declared a disaster.I decided to help as much as I can as Ive never lived n a small town til now and they really come together.We donated cloths,dishes,my4r old even kindly donated lots of toys and2bikes for kids who lost their stuff.I love to cook&have been making lots of food families have been so appreciative.That being said I feel great helping my community&have been out and about helping with anything they need.I have bumbed into 5people who I knew and hadnt seen or talked to since I quit.People who lost everything and the1st thing they say(before hi or how is your family)do u have some pills cause they r so stressed or whatever.I say i quit a long time ago.Then I have people begging me to help them find some.They have money from the bank or a paycheck and rather than worrying about their kids,a place to sleep or bare basics they want to spend there last dime on stupid pills.I had1person tha said Im happy u quit and didnt continue all the rest well lets just say they dont have respect for an addict quitting.I had a man offer me pills AFTER I said I hadnt taken any in so long because as he said Im doing a lot I could use the energy from them.All I can say is if u r struggling,planning to quit or freshly clean and sober ALL OF THE STRUGGLES ARE BEYOND WORTH IT.I am so happy that Im not in the deeps of my addiction and using because I would be searching or popping pills instead of helping my community.I know if I was still using  I would b just like those few I encounted.Im no better by far just in recovery and able to focus on whats important.I wrote this as an experience so those wondering if its really worth it.IT IS.I wouldve never been doing this without a ton of pills for the energy cause I was strung out.U WILL get to a place where u feel better physically,are mentally so strong and out of that prison of pills.U can do this.Just thought I would share.KEEP ON TRYING U WILL GET THERE!!

[clean_in_ks]

You have mentioned twice that you don't want to be misunderstood as bragging.....YOU AREN'T and we don't perceive it that way AT ALL...K?.......you are "passing it on", sharing some more newfound joys of being clean, encouraging others, helping us to remember, expressing your gratitude........letting us know there really is a life to be cherished after drugs and what that can look like.  I thank you so much for that!

Please know you are worthy of our praise......the fragrance of your heart is sweet~

[overopiates]

Im overwhelmed by all of ur kind words.It puts a huge smile on my face and my husband said Im blushing lol.He read all the comments from all of my wonderful fellow worriorsof sobriety&said how amazing u all r(HE IS100% right btw).He has never really looked on here&said he totally gets why I stick around after all this time.I hope u all know I didnt post this as if I were bragging/looking for praise for what Im doing as its quite the opposite.Im stunned&impressed@the whole community&thrilled I can b a part of it.

[VICourageous]

Your comment was GREAT right to the point. That is what they say on the info I talked about. Its no different then having cancer, diabeatis, ect We do have a disease of addiction.....
vvic

[vicki595]

Thanks for the sweet words Honey, I appreciate it.  So, what are you cooking up today??

[Brightfutureahead]

Great Post!  Its nice that your son is sharing in this experience as well. Reading about your perspective, and all of the good that you are doing, brought a smile to my face.

Keep doing what you're doing- lead by example. Recovery is very attractive.  I'm sure even if it doesn't seem like it, some of those people are watching you- they want what you have.

I remember feeling stuck and hopeless. I would put on such a front. On the outside, i was just dine. On the inside, I was crumbling. I would look at people doing 'normal' things (cooking, enjoying family get togethers sober, sports, etc) and be so envious of the fact they weren't searching and scheming to pump themselves full of drugs. Now, with help, I've climbed back up and brushed myself off (like many of us!!). There are some people around me (acquaintances, not really 'friends', and a few family members) that I know struggle with pills. I just keep setting a good example and saying a prayer or too, in hopes that someone else decides to dig their heels in deep and do some work!


You are like a lighthouse at night- surrounded by the daunting sea. Shine on my friend!

[ImDONENoMore]

Wow.  Powerful story.  And a sad one.  I can't even begin to imagine walking around, in such despair over such great losses, and to be thinking only of finding more pills?  That makes me sick to my stomach and beyond sad.

But vicki's right.  You are beautiful.