If you've been an addict for 15+ years & have somehow stayed clean & sober for a long length of time (like over a year), can you please post your story. I am starting to lose hope for my daughter who is only 33 years old. I just feel like she's been doing it so long, she doesn't know any other way to live. We just (again) sent her a bus ticket to come visit after jail & she never came. The pull of the drugs is just too strong, even after being clean & sober in jail for 4 months. How did you quit? And why? What was your bottom?
She has hiv & hep c too. That didn't even make her quit. In fact it seems to be more of a reason to continue, unfortunately.
Thanks in advance for sharing. You can email me at laffstore@yahoo.com if you want.
I should tell you she has tried suboxone and has been in many many rehabs, sober houses, mental hospitals etc but not for any length of time to make a difference. Also counseling, meetings, etc.
HB it hurts me to hear you sounding so desperate. I wish I had words of comfort, but I can find none. Sending up prayers for you and your daughter.
Much love, Maddy x x x
Much love, Maddy x x x
I'm not desparate Maddy. I would just like to know from other's experience if there is any hope for her at all. It's been a lifestyle for her for so long. Thanks for your concern.
39 years here HB, clean for over 2. It took till I was 46 to get clean, I started smoking pot and drinking when I was 12.
I'm not going to tell you anything you don't know. You have to want to get clean. I'm having a problem with smoking cigs. I quit last year in Oct. and am on my 3rd relapse. I am stopping again today.
Oh and now I have a food addiction. I have put on 30 lbs since I quit using, but it's the lesser of 2 evils.
oops, had to do some math and change that number.
I'm not going to tell you anything you don't know. You have to want to get clean. I'm having a problem with smoking cigs. I quit last year in Oct. and am on my 3rd relapse. I am stopping again today.
Oh and now I have a food addiction. I have put on 30 lbs since I quit using, but it's the lesser of 2 evils.
oops, had to do some math and change that number.
Heavenbound
My man is 46 also he started on the gear at 22 it's only been the last year or so that he's been ready to quit. I know it may sound pathetic but I firmly believe that when it is their time it is their time and not before.
Hope is always there.
k
My man is 46 also he started on the gear at 22 it's only been the last year or so that he's been ready to quit. I know it may sound pathetic but I firmly believe that when it is their time it is their time and not before.
Hope is always there.
k
Wow 39 years. I hope my daughter will stop & make something of her life before the hiv turns into aids or the hep c gets worse. It's such a bleak future for her unless she 1) stays clean & sober and 2) gets on medicine for her conditions.
I can't future trip about it, it's just too sad.
One thing I know, God is in control. There are reasons for all of this even though I sure don't see them.
I can't future trip about it, it's just too sad.
One thing I know, God is in control. There are reasons for all of this even though I sure don't see them.
I'm 47 and I started on hard dope at 33 yrs. of age. (needle dope) I was drinking and doing hallucinogens at 13 though. I tried everything to get off of heroin. I even tried hypnotism! I have been on methadone for around 5 years. I've had a few relapses but all in all, it's a much better life. I can hold a job now and pay my bills. And my family trusts me again. That means the world to me.
my bf first tried heroin at 14 and he is now 31...so 17 years. He has had periods of being clean (the longest being just over 2 years...but 1 1/2 of that was in a long term rehab) has had periods of being clean but on methadone. Now he had detoxed from the methadone, took naltroxne for 3 months and since the beginning of september nothing. But for the past 3 months (whilst on the naltronxe) was still using cocaine about once a week, then once every 10 days then about once every 2 weeks, but 2 weeks ago used both cocaine and heroin (after 3 months without using heroin).The times between using are getting longer, so in sept only used once, and since then nothing. He has started sleeping better now, and more normal hours, and has started studying for an exam he has to get a estate agent license. But apart from that he is not doing much in terms of recovery, and has stopped councelling sessions. He has made lifestyle chages in the last few years...cut off contact with friends, doesn't use any other drugs (that he used to use), is trying to organise a sober life etc. He wants a life without drugs, that i believe, but if he has the strength to follow this through 100%???
Hopefully one day J will arrive at the point where she is ready to give quitting drugs 100%. It takes each individual person their own time to get there. Until that time stay strong xx
Hopefully one day J will arrive at the point where she is ready to give quitting drugs 100%. It takes each individual person their own time to get there. Until that time stay strong xx
I was 26 when first addicted to heroin....i had run the gamut of other drugs before then...but smack changed everything.Im 38 now with just over one yr.clean time .....although im on a l/t methd.script....which with all its doubters has saved my life....i work...am a single parent....i just get on like a regular guy....although i know im tied to methd.but without it its beggers belief.So if i can give up sticking a spike into myself.....anyone can.............ATB.........Davey
Thank you everyone who responded. I was wondering if you could post what your bottom was, or what was the determining factor, what was the catalyst that started you on the road to "real" recovery (long-term recovery)?
Congratulations to all who have stayed clean & sober. I can't even imagine what a battle you faced & probably still face. It must make you feel so good to be living a "normal" life -- what we all do, pay bills, go to work etc. J had one period in her life when she had a good job & was doing well. I think she was clean & sober for like a year. It was when she was married for one year. Didn't last long. He disappointed her badly & had led her to believe things about himself that weren't true & she was devastated. She's been using since with only about 3 months of (free will) clean time now & then (not counting jail.) I don't see jail as "clean time", it's just "not able to use at this moment" time. She told me they had drugs in jail but I doubt they had heroin & needles.
J did well on the suboxone for a very short while but would rather do heroin so stopped it. She said she would never take it again unfortunately. She has heard alot of bad things about methadone -- don't you have to go to a clinic of some sort every day & wait your turn or something? Or is that not true?
Thanks again one & all.
Congratulations to all who have stayed clean & sober. I can't even imagine what a battle you faced & probably still face. It must make you feel so good to be living a "normal" life -- what we all do, pay bills, go to work etc. J had one period in her life when she had a good job & was doing well. I think she was clean & sober for like a year. It was when she was married for one year. Didn't last long. He disappointed her badly & had led her to believe things about himself that weren't true & she was devastated. She's been using since with only about 3 months of (free will) clean time now & then (not counting jail.) I don't see jail as "clean time", it's just "not able to use at this moment" time. She told me they had drugs in jail but I doubt they had heroin & needles.
J did well on the suboxone for a very short while but would rather do heroin so stopped it. She said she would never take it again unfortunately. She has heard alot of bad things about methadone -- don't you have to go to a clinic of some sort every day & wait your turn or something? Or is that not true?
Thanks again one & all.
There are some who believe that addicts are born not made. That is to say there is a dormant gene that some have at birth ,from mom or dad or uncle Joe or aunt sally or whoever.
When you start using ,this gene become activated and addiction is very likely. Although some are affected more than others.-
There are others who believe that this is just psychological mumbo jumbo
Ive been an addict ,by that I mean ,I started using weed & alcohol in my teen years right up till methadone in my 50,s. Of course there were lengths of time when I was totally clean ,usually in a county jail or a rehab environment.
However,I stopped using my drug of choice (heroin) for good about 15years ago-with a slip once or twice.
Again,methadone has helped me get my life together when all looked very lost.
I wont condone nor condemn this medicine ,I do know that it has helped me become a productive member of society.
Someday Ill find the strength to try and go totally drug free. However,I dont feel guilty for choosing this type of treatment ,because of the dramatic difference it had in turning my life around.
just a different take,
jack
When you start using ,this gene become activated and addiction is very likely. Although some are affected more than others.-
There are others who believe that this is just psychological mumbo jumbo
Ive been an addict ,by that I mean ,I started using weed & alcohol in my teen years right up till methadone in my 50,s. Of course there were lengths of time when I was totally clean ,usually in a county jail or a rehab environment.
However,I stopped using my drug of choice (heroin) for good about 15years ago-with a slip once or twice.
Again,methadone has helped me get my life together when all looked very lost.
I wont condone nor condemn this medicine ,I do know that it has helped me become a productive member of society.
Someday Ill find the strength to try and go totally drug free. However,I dont feel guilty for choosing this type of treatment ,because of the dramatic difference it had in turning my life around.
just a different take,
jack
Both of you, Davey and Jack, should be well proud of all you've accomplished with your lives. Both single fathers, fighting the good fight for your children everyday. The fact that you use mdone to help you stay clean is to be commended. It has worked wonderfully for you. Maybe you wish you weren't on it, but it has worked as advertised. You are shining examples on here and offer hope to so many. God Bless you both!
Beck
Beck
I thank you Beck- -not many see it in the liberal, compassionate light that you do -
much peace&respect to you!!
jack
( & I think I can speak for Davey here also)
much peace&respect to you!!
jack
( & I think I can speak for Davey here also)
Absolutly...Jack....and thank you Becks for your kind words ...all the best to you both...........Davey
Dear HB, as you probably know from the families board where I post, my daughter started on methadone last november, after she went to detox for a week.
she too had heard all kinds of negatives about methadone treatment, but she found it actually to be a life saver.
Yes, it is necessary to go daily for a dose, and there are periodic drug tests, but her treatment was a result of court ordered action, and hence the drug tests and series of counseling sessions she had to attend.
It's not easy, it interferes with your daily life, especially if one likes to sleep in every morning (her problem) and the dosing is from 6 to 12 noon, and only for an hour or so on holidays.. However, she says she was really grateful for the clinic, and the counseling. (I am taking all this gratitude with a grain of salt, I'm sure you can relate) .
She is now on suboxone, and off probation, so she is not on such a rigid schedule of dosing, etc
I believe that no matter what the treatment is, or for any amount of time, if keeps our loved onws from committing crimes to get the drug they crave, it is worth it, any chronic disease needs long term medication, and if methadone is the one that works, thank God for it.
I am hoping that my daughter will stay drug free, but of course, it is all up to her.
She is a fifty year old woman, and has wonderful children who love her dearly.
reading this board, ( i first started posting here, because her dug was heroin)
I have followed the struggles of so many who are trying, and are succeeding in getting clean. I admire especially the Dad's who post here, and who express the love of their children so eloquently.
I hope both our daughters will have a better future, healthy and drug free.
rita
she too had heard all kinds of negatives about methadone treatment, but she found it actually to be a life saver.
Yes, it is necessary to go daily for a dose, and there are periodic drug tests, but her treatment was a result of court ordered action, and hence the drug tests and series of counseling sessions she had to attend.
It's not easy, it interferes with your daily life, especially if one likes to sleep in every morning (her problem) and the dosing is from 6 to 12 noon, and only for an hour or so on holidays.. However, she says she was really grateful for the clinic, and the counseling. (I am taking all this gratitude with a grain of salt, I'm sure you can relate) .
She is now on suboxone, and off probation, so she is not on such a rigid schedule of dosing, etc
I believe that no matter what the treatment is, or for any amount of time, if keeps our loved onws from committing crimes to get the drug they crave, it is worth it, any chronic disease needs long term medication, and if methadone is the one that works, thank God for it.
I am hoping that my daughter will stay drug free, but of course, it is all up to her.
She is a fifty year old woman, and has wonderful children who love her dearly.
reading this board, ( i first started posting here, because her dug was heroin)
I have followed the struggles of so many who are trying, and are succeeding in getting clean. I admire especially the Dad's who post here, and who express the love of their children so eloquently.
I hope both our daughters will have a better future, healthy and drug free.
rita
hello
i started on drugs an drink when i was 13 yrs old,didnt get to heroin till i was 22 ,but it was heroin that really got me,took everything,my mum and dad i cant find fault with them in any way really,they tried their best ,were always there fior me,i have no reason i can think of for being a heroin addict,i am 30 yrs old now with two girls,and i am in day 26 of being off heroin and every day is a battle,its not physicall(spelling?)its in my head,and i dont kno how to get it out,sorry,for being negative on your post
seren
i started on drugs an drink when i was 13 yrs old,didnt get to heroin till i was 22 ,but it was heroin that really got me,took everything,my mum and dad i cant find fault with them in any way really,they tried their best ,were always there fior me,i have no reason i can think of for being a heroin addict,i am 30 yrs old now with two girls,and i am in day 26 of being off heroin and every day is a battle,its not physicall(spelling?)its in my head,and i dont kno how to get it out,sorry,for being negative on your post
seren
Seren, are you doing any support meetings? I am sure they would help.
Please give them a try if you haven't, or if you have in the past.
take each day as a gift, and look forward.
I will keep you in my prayers
rita
Please give them a try if you haven't, or if you have in the past.
take each day as a gift, and look forward.
I will keep you in my prayers
rita
