Understanding It

[WifeofAddict]

Hi Everyone,
I am the wife of an addict as you can tell by my name.  He is addicted to codiene.  He has been taking this for maybe 2 years now, and what i know is that he is up to at least 12 a day.  He is only 24, and is experiencing great health problems.  I need to understand this disease if this marraige is going to work.  We are going today to tell our family and going to the doc to get something to mask his withdrawal symptoms, as he quit 5 days ago.  He has enrolled in a 21 day rehab clinic.  He starts that beginning of January.  So he will be gone for 3 weeks...good break for me!  I feel like i have to watch him 24/7 and i have a life too!  I am really frustrated, but i am trying to be there for him the best i can.  This is the second time i have found out.  He has been lying to me about it for a long time.  He seems sincere in his quest to stop.  I just don't understand addiction, although it runs in my family.  I can only understand it from my point of view, having being hurt by it over and over again by many people.  Please help me understand this, so i can calm down and be more supportive.  
Wishing you all luck and happiness,
Catherine

[Rex1]

Thanks bud.

Perspective is always essential.

Rex

[MethMan]

Kell,
You can help me I think.  For the past two weeks, I have been TRYING to find a way to send out a care package and a thank you letter to the troops on the ground in that God forsaken hell hole.

Do you have a means by which I can contact someone and mail something?  I don't want it to go to the higher ups, but the grunt on the ground.  My Dad fought in Korea, my grandfather was at Omaha Beach in WWII.  They said that "SOMETHING" from home helped them through the hard spots.

Thought I'd share the following.  It's from a troop on the ground where your husband is.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF FREEDOM
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

All the best,
MethMan

[kell737]

Good morning.   Yes, it's good to be back.  Missed posting with you guys.  Learned so much in here.  I see  we both made it through the detox!!  I wondered about you everyday.  

My husband is in Afganistan right now.  No, he wont be home for Christmas.   I just ask that everyone pray for those guys over there that they do come home safe!  

I'll be here a lot more now because I find this forum keeops me sane.  LOL   Talk to you soon.  

~kell

[bmac]

Now thats a deal my friend.
God bless you,and He does!!!
Peace,  bmac

[MethMan]

Rex,
Do not give me any of the credit.  It is ALL yours brother. YOU did it.  If I was capable of brightening the path a little, it was only because of the power given to me by bmac.  And like Percs said, he walked with bmac, bmac gave it to me and I simply passed it on.  I am nothing more than another person fighting this hell.
To see a true miracle beyond measure, check out the people JUST ON THIS THREAD.  Is it not amazing to see miracles working in each dark corner?  I've got goosebumps just thinking about the strength these people have in this fight.
Look at what you've done my friend.  You've organized an army of warriors against the cause.  Do you feel special? I doubt it.  More like grateful, appreciative and a new found kindness for your fellow man.  What strength. Determination.  It is simply awesome and overwhelming to see it happen before my eyes.
You, above all are walking in the light.  Shine on brother.

Peace,
Mike

[percsnomas]

You are Welcome!!