What do you replace the pills with???

[Jebs317]

For years I took pills............I took pills to get out of bed, I took them to give me confidence.  I couldn't do anything without taking a couple of pills.  I would think that it was time to do laundry........so I would take a couple and wait for them to kick in and have the energy to do laundry, clean the house, wash the car, and pretty much do it all.  I am on day 13 of no pills.  I want to know what to replace the pills with to have the energy to do all of this?   I am so used to relying on them for everything!!  I feel so good that I have decided to stop taking them, but I am having a hard time having the stamina to go to work, take care of the house, the car, my son, grad school and so much more.  I am hoping that eventually find another source of energy.........
Any suggestions??  
Thank you to everyone here for getting me through the last 13 days..I couldn't have done it alone!!

[Jebs317]

Thanks to both of you!  This is my second detox.  To make a long story short, I detoxed in August for all the wrong reasons.  I detoxed because my ex threatened if I didn't go to a detox in a hospital, he would call the police and tell them I bought on the street. It scared me enough at the time so I did it.  What an awesome experiernce it was to sit in a room with others who had the same problems that I did.  I stayed clean for 30 days and went to a meeting every day.  My heart wasn't in it though.  I was there because HE told me to go there.  This time I am clean for me.  I am afraid to go back to a meeting..I fear that it will feel the same.  I think I need to give it a chance.  
I kicked him out after 2 months...........and feel so free of his abuse.........now I need to free myself from the pills' abuse.
Thank you for your help..........I am going to look up a meeting today.

[Addict63]

I agree with Ga Guy on the meetings. First I wanted to change, most important. And then going to the meetings gives me the help, tools and support to help me change. It's about stopping, but then changing the person who started up in the first place... by working the steps. IT WORKS! Years ago I started going for alcohol and remained clean from that via AA and now it's time to get off of 18 months of pain meds from a back injury. So far so good. also, you folks on here have no idea how you've also helped me. We help each other on here.

[GA Guy]

I'm coming up on 10 months now. I tried for 4 years to get clean while everybody on here screamed about aftercare to me. A dear gal named Fladdict told me to go to NA meetings almost 3 years ago and I made every excuse not to. So, on April 29th I entered rehab and have been in the rooms of AA and NA ever since. Two things I have learned are that I've yet to see anyone stay clean long term without some form of aftercare. And, the reason aftercare works is my second thing...you can't keep this a secret and stay clean. Please, consider a couple of meetings a week, and addiction counselor, or some group therapy. It will change your life.

[Jebs317]

I am not in any type of aftercare or meeting yet.  I don't want to make excuses, but I teach full time, go to grad school, teach a night course and am a single mom.  I have learned enough through internet and also from you all that without some help, relapse will more likey occur.  This is my second time with detox.  The first time was this past summer and I didn't do it for me.  I am definitely quitting this time for myself to become a better mother to my son.  
I agree with you about the false sense of self worth....it's just insane that something so small can have such a huge impact on our lives.

How long have you been clean Ga Guy?  

[Addict63]

I got into recovery (NA). I also belong to AA. in the 12-step programs you actually end up helping others, which in turn helps you.  

[GA Guy]

I know the feeling. I completed college while high most every day. It's hard to make yourself believe that you can function without the. Believe it or not, the pills give a false sense of self worth. It does get better. Are you doing aftercare of any type yet?

[Jebs317]

Thanks for your help!  I really appreciate the advice.  I think the hardest thing for me to replace is that false sense of confidence that it gave me.  I hid behind that feeling of being able to conquer anything.  I know that's part of what got me hooked in the first place.  I have been trying a few different things and I do get a little extra energy from l-tyrosine.  It seems to help for the morning, but by noon (at work) I am dragging.  It still feels so much better than walking around popping pills!  

[GA Guy]

OK, here's the magic little secret everyone's looking for....time! Yeah, I know it *****, but time is pretty much the only thing that heals this. You can take aminos, protein shakes, and vitamins until everything you excrete is neon yellow and it won't be a tenth effective as allowing yourself time to heal. Your best bet is exercise. That and working hard on recovery can energize you.