WOW - I'm just waking up out here on the Left Coast of the USA (hours change as of Monday; back to work and will have been up for hours by this time, then) - and what a wonderful set of posts to wake up TO! Thank you all, and may your Higher Power (be it God, Truth or Winnie-the-Pooh*) Bless You with the strength to get through the day, and get clean, stay clean and/or take action steps of some kind toward getting help, and most of all, to have PEACE.
If you take a moment, and find a quiet place (even if it's the bathroom for five minutes), and even if you have DT symptoms (feeling sick, body shaking, even crying or depressed) -- get really quiet, and take a step back from everything, even those racing, negative thoughts ... one step back ... and just watch it all as an observer, "Hm, I notice my hands are shaking. Wow - that thought "I'm a rotten addict!!" sure was powerful ... but it DID go on by" ... that kind of thing.
In doing this, you can find a GREAT surprise, even if you're still using or DTing, and that is: the divine Peace and Silence are ALWAYS who we really are, and available to us, no matter WHAT our body, mind or emotions may be doing at the moment - and even a 1-2 minute "peace reminder" can be a GREAT help in the times we all go through.
And I'm not speaking from the stump on this, either -- there've been times this past week when I've been a tortured wreck for a little while, like almost all of us ... but then I remember this tool, and it helps. [smile]
*Oh yeah, re: Winnie - it's rumored that in later years, he kicked honey, dropped 40 pounds, and became an inspiration to the entire forest; even got Tigger off meth [snork].
(Ya GOTTA keep & find the humor! [smile])
As my thank you for this wonderful welcome, here are a few more SERIOUS spiritual / recovery resources that I've found helpful (and please note: if you have your own strong religion / denomination / type of belief -- I am NOT here to evangelize mine; simply to share ... and in almost every case, the resources I promote do NOT conflict, in any way, with any other religion or system, unless it's extremely rigid and fundamentalist. <-- and that's not a criticism, just what I believe is an accurate statement [smile]).
"Health is peace of mind". - Dr. Jerry Jampolsky, Center for Attitudinal Healing
www.attitudinalhealing.org
I highly recommend this group, and especially Jerry's book "Out of the Darkness, into the Light" which chronicals his own journey out of alcoholic hell.
His son, Lee, has a great site, too - http://www.motivationalworks.com - click on the Books link, and scroll down to the bottom to see his great book "Healing the Addictive Mind". (he was an opiate addict for years).
Finally, check out www.pillsanonymous.com/ a mostly on-line 12-step group (they have some F2F meetings) dedicated purely to pill users -- almost all, it seems, who use(d) pain pills -- so you may find some more online support and friendship there.
Finally Finally [smile] - I've added the link to my spiritual teacher's site to my sig. file. He doesn't address addiction too much directly, but if you feel drawn to do so, I HIGHLY recommend ordering a tape, video or DVD (to see here what he's like as a person ... he's the only truly & fully enlightened, yet down-to-earth American suburban guy I know ... so he has a way of bringing timeless Truth through in a way that many of our culture [like me - {smile}] can "get"). He doesn't promote any theology or path (don't let "zen" throw you --- he doesn't teach Zen, but used to practice it; they just never changed the web address, I guess).
But, anyway, his teachings, books and poetry (and other materials mentioned above) have been the most powerful spiritual resource in my life, and are what got me to commit to being clean and sober and taking action, so just wanted to share, literally.
Thanks all -- have a clean, sober and/or happy & peaceful day,
Sat
Sat,
You have made my DAY!!!! Thanks for those positive thoughts !!!! I hope you have a wonderful day ;o). Great information and a wonderful post. Thank you! Take care, Best Wishes
You have made my DAY!!!! Thanks for those positive thoughts !!!! I hope you have a wonderful day ;o). Great information and a wonderful post. Thank you! Take care, Best Wishes