stoping and starting back up and stoping

[headhunterxxx]

when u stop for long time do you have to start all your days over when f--  up one night

[CadillacJack]

Maybe that is the confusion. I tend to make my remarks on the basis of the given situation. The guy was on vic. I agree about the power of a relapse. And if a person is going to justify using every other day, then he hasn't quit. He's actively using. I respect your opinion. I don't see any right or wrong between our views. This guy used for 1 day. And he uses pills. Nothing is justified in using, but there are those that really start using again, and most of us have done the one time thing, at some point. Unless it's for a serious health issue, there is no justification for such behavior. It happens, and like you said, you can't take away his clean time. My comments were for headhunter's benefit alone. Your views are well taken, Addicted. You have a good evening, and thanks for the conversation. That's a big piece of what this place is about.

[addictedme]

You cant take away his clean time. Maybe thats where the confusion is. After a relapse I personally think that person has more to offer then someone who hasnt relapsed cause lets face it ,,more relapse then not but again I think that in dealing with addicts who tend to justify and manipulate anyway minimizing any part of useing is a mistake. " an addict who uses one day then pulls up and stops the next day" as an addict I can take that (justify) as if I use every other day then I"m ok? It is a great thing that we can agree to disagree,,,keep reaching out and thnx

[CadillacJack]

I'm sorry. You took my "judgment" statement wrong. I was in no way trying to imply that you were being judgmental. What I said was that I would not be judgmental, no reference to you. The guy is ashamed, and no one else should pile any more on him. Does calling this a relapse really help this person? I think not. We have a difference of opinion on a play of words: "relapse", take away all his clean time, or "bump", and cut him some slack. Which is more beneficial?

cj

[addictedme]

I in no way was making a judgement on anyone and the word shame shouldnt even be used when talking about relapse. The dictionary defines relapse as an INSTANCE of backsliding. Also this is an addiction forum not a pill forum so when discussing relapse every drug should be considered. Justifying a relapse by calling it anything but what it is DOES indicate shame and again theres nothing to be ashamed of. I"m in a program that encourages people to return after a relapse not to be shamed but to be helped.

[CadillacJack]

That's an interesting question. In my opinion, it seems very unlikely that a guy making a living as a truck driver ever took enough to od on at on time anyway. I believe in the odds. Another person, who had a 30 pill habit at a time, that has been clean for some time,.  very well could od, if they happened to take that much at a time. I think it depends on what you do that constitutes a relapse. I a per takes 4-8 pills for one day, and has the sense to pull up and stop the next day, so what? Clean time has a psychological value, and I don't think something like this constitutes a relapse. I think it constitutes a short period of bad judgment. People tend to be harder on themselves over something like this than is warranted. Clean time is something we all need, and I wouldn't pass judgment on a person for this misdemeanor. He's ashamed enough without anybody else adding to that. It's a bump. But I agree, for some, a bump could be deadly.

cj

[addictedme]

Thnx for the reply but it wasnt really a question,it was sarcasm and I apoligize for that but I do feel that minimizing a relapse based on how much or how long can send a dangerous message. Your last sentence was right on the money.,,again thnx for the input.

[broknbck]

no, that is considered a catastrophy!
a head-on collision
a reason for friends and family to get together- a funeral

we may all think it will never happen to us. but the amounts we use to take could easily over dose a normal person. when we have been off for a long time- who knows.

[addictedme]

So I read that prescription drug od"s outnumber illegal drug od"s ,,so if someone uses just one time and od"s is that considered a "bump"?

[10356]

Hi Headhunterxxx
I would not count it has a relapse.. To me a relapse is a slide, you my friend had a bump.. You worked hard for that clean time and you keep it, with one bump one night..
                                                                                           lesa

[broknbck]

well how far along are you. you could always look at it as part of a taper?
i am sure that if it was only a one time thing that it would not set you back all the way to the beginning. but a little here and a little there will surely turn into A LOT.

now you just have to convince yourself that you must of lost your mind and just cannot do that again. it is far too risky and continue on your way. we did not go through all this hell just to return and slap ourselves in the face, right? we are smarter than that. a stupid little pill right?

[worried878]

agree.....to me a relapse is when u use and take back off into the wile black yonder and lose control...u did for a bit..but not to a nth degree at all...using like that can lead quickly to that tho...u will think u can do it again and again and u will end up on the dark side again if u dont watch out... full blown relapse to me is another episode of using and withdrawals ..this point has been dicussed before on the forum and there is no right or wrong answer..the safest thing is to never take another mind altering substance again in ur life...but few actually do that..that means alcohol, smokes, caffeine if u want to get to the nitty gritty, muscle relaxers, lyrica, sleep meds includint tylenol pm...could go on and on...i do know addicts that have reached the point where they had to this...will not even touch sudafed when they have a cold...they just can not touch anything or they will abuse it...leaving those dirty pills alone is ur best and safest bet tho..i am not an extremist and do not abuse everything i touch...but some do....so there are different lines/fine lines as stated above..for everyone and only u know ur boundaries

[FriaryGrad]

I think for some people (not me) there can be a "lapse" (i.e. one use) that doesn't grow into a full blown relapse, because you immediately regain control.  Not that I could ever do that...I am too far addicted to ever touch another drop........good luck...

[worried878]

I am not as technical in my thinking and believe in a bit of "slack"...to me one night of using and u catch urself..u stop and get on track is a "bump in the road" and not a relapse...keep moving forward and dont look back...I would forget it other than the lesson i learned from it..i would not take a way my clean time for that as i am not sure it is mentally positive...we need to stay positive

[mimi1313]

That is a good question. I would personally because its a fine line and for me its only been 6 moths. You might forgive yourself the one time but the next time its 2 or 3 days and then weeks, etc.

But that doesn't take away from the fact you were clean for x amount of time.

How much time do you have?

[dominosarah]

If it was me i would consider it a relapse and would start over but that is only my opinion unless it was for a medical reason.  did that make any sense??!!!!!  Are you talking about you here?