How to address relapse

[Mikey1223]

I was a heavy h user 8 months ago and have been clean ever since and didn't really have much problems. I changed my friends and wouldn't hang around users and got involved in different activities , etc.  The past week I have been having thoughts and they wouldn't go away and I actually ended up relapsing yesterday.  I'm trying to talk about the situation with some people close to me but I really feel ashamed of all the hard work flushed down the drain.  I can't really talk to my friends/girlfriend because they don't know about that aspect of my past. The only people who know besides old friends who are still doing the same **** and I have no contact with are my immediate family, and I don't really want to start a phone call of w/ the bulk of the subject. I just don't even really know where to start.

[Mikey1223]

Thank you all for all your comments. To start off with what I was going through, I've been enduring a lot of stress with work and homelife ( don't really want to get into that) and slipped back in an old coping mechanism ( not making excuses just telling how it is). I've been to NA before and had an ex gf in there which made it not work but I'm am willing to try it again and I appreciate you guys' suggestions and concern. I put my call help line in my wallet that should of been there and the first place, and will keep my sponsers number next to it. I did talk to my family to and feel much better after doing so. Congratulations on all of you guys' successes and I appreciate you holding a stern voicing and not being to easy ( not that you guys were harsh by any means, i'm the same way with giving help and i appreciate it because it shows actual concern.)  Sorry I didn't address your replies seperately, i figured it would be less confusing to make one big reply. Thanks again, Mikey.

[recoveredfromamonster]

You did not relapse. You played with death. Think of it that way. It's more realistic. Stoping the drugs and changing what you do and who you do it with is just a part. It's a whole metal change. The best advice has already been given. Get your arse to an AA/NA meeting. From what you wrote I can almost assure you this was the missing piece of your sobriety. Sit and listen and share but do not compare. Find someone who has what you want, preferably with at least a year of sobriety, and ask them to sponsor you and start working a program. Relapse is just a cuddly word for I almost died. I've been there. Nothing worked until I got serious and worked a program. Everything else is just being dry. Good luck to you. You can do this.

[Htownnofrown]

I'd suggest getting into NA. It gives us a place to talk to other addicts about our problems, and instead of scheming on how to get drugs we get together and scheme on how to stay sober. I know my family doesn't really understand addiction, that's why I'm so glad I have a large support group in AA/NA that I can go to in times of need. That week when your struggling, thats when it is essential to have a group of sober people in your support system so that you can call them and tell them whats going on in your head without being judged, because we've all been there. It can be done, man. I've been clean for almost 15 months now thanks to NA.

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

I am sorry to hear that you relapsed. You don't need to feel ashamed. We are addicts and the thing that we do best is use drugs.

I think what you need to feel is worried. I would be worried about how the relapse happened. I have learned from many times around the block that a relapse starts long before you pick up a drug. What was going on in your life that you felt you need drugs for? Or what was it that you weren't doing that caused the relapse?