Please give me your defination of clean...

[motye51]

Honestly, I would like to gather a general opinion of what people on this website consider clean?  Just looking for the differences of opinions....trying to form a decision (if that's ok)...

[nonights]

Im so glad m posted this. I like all sides to a story and then I can decide my thoughts. Right now I see anything can become addictive and this scares me. But Ill fight like hel! For recovery.

[Amandag78]

Oh, but, i take an anti-depressant and have done on and off for most my life.
I take effexor and its for my chemical imbalance, and anxiety and depression.
And i will say, i need it and in no way does it get me high.
Anyone who takes effexor knows this.
I will take it forever if i have to because i also have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder.
So am i clean, hell yes.
Anti depressants are antidepressants, its not my drug of choice, thats heroin.
And effexor cant be abused.
Antidepressants are completely different unless they are able to be addictive or alter your mind to a euphoria state.
But mine doesnt do that !!!!!
Ok im finished now : )

[Amandag78]

And in no way people am i condoning weed!!!
Im not even going to comment in case i upset someone, but like i said ABN nailed it for me !!
Of coarse i respect everyone's different opinion : )

[Amandag78]

I spose its a hard one isnt it, considering its now legal in some states.
I smoked now and then years ago, and honestly thought i was dying. Just wasnt for me. The time went backwards and all i could think about was food haha...
I was so paranoid, i hated it : )

[lulu747]

Ok my two cents.  My definition of clean is this- not using mind altering substances to escape reality.  Not trying to fill an emotional void with a substance.  I question EVERYTHING i put into my body.  My first year of recovery I did not put ANYTHING into my body including caffeine, sugar, alcohol, pot, and I put down the cigs about 4 months after detox.  I picked them up again a year later and realized "Yep, still an addict" and stopped that crap a month ago.  I did however continue to use sleep meds (one of which was a benzo) because I was completely dependent and had been for nearly 20 years.  I never abused these medications and only ever took them as prescribed.  I've been on a long slow taper from them and am proud to say I'm almost off and aside from my recent pain crises- sleeping better than I have in years.  After that first year I realized I was being a little extreme.  My addict self was addicted to being CLEAN.  Now I live in moderation.  I drink half a cup of coffee a day.  I can drink a glass or two of wine with dinner now and then.  Right now I HAVE to take pain meds to get relief or I am altered from mind blowing pain.  I consider myself CLEAN because I am in active recovery.  I am honest, open, and not abusing anything.  I question myself and check in with a therapist and support group daily.  I am working towards being the best, happiest, healthiest me that I can be.  And I feel good about this.  Still scared and conflicted about the pain meds...But making peace with it.  Personally, I hate feeling altered.  I hate not being present in the moment.  The only thing altering me right now is acute physical pain.  So I'm working on it...Always working on it.  That's what recovery is to me.
Thanks for the always interesting food for thought peeps.
Big love
Lu

[nonights]

I was considering it. Still thinking.