A lot of times we come in and hear things from people that they did in active addiction that is so much worse than our own stories.
I thought I was a pretty hard case until I started hearing some stories in the meetings at this group called The Mens Center in downtown Houston.
It made me look like a high bottom addict.
It took me awhile to realize that it had nothing to do with addiction.
I know on this BB we have a large cross section of people coming on here and I would safely say a large percentage are coming in with their jobs,family's and health still intact.
My message is you don't have to take that elevator to the basement.You can stop now and salvage your life.
I think it's awesome to see people recognize they are having problems in their 20's.Just think of what a complete and fullfilling life you can look forward to.
I like this quote-
Rock bottom is nothing more than a change of perception,where abstinence is seen as a lesser distress than use of chemicals,
Do you have any more reservations?
great post Tim
At first I would look in the mirror and think to myself "you don't look like an addict" then I realized shortly after this that this addict has blonde hair, brown eyes, 5ft 1 1/2in, a job and a family.
Don't fool yourself thinking that just because you don't live on the streets etc that you don't have a problem. I used to do just that. I hit my rockbottom one morning when I was just sick and tired of this life. I thank God everyday for giving me the strength for coming off these demons. AND I thank God for all you beautiful ppl..
Heath
At first I would look in the mirror and think to myself "you don't look like an addict" then I realized shortly after this that this addict has blonde hair, brown eyes, 5ft 1 1/2in, a job and a family.
Don't fool yourself thinking that just because you don't live on the streets etc that you don't have a problem. I used to do just that. I hit my rockbottom one morning when I was just sick and tired of this life. I thank God everyday for giving me the strength for coming off these demons. AND I thank God for all you beautiful ppl..
Heath
What a great name...Heath.
You are right.It's very deceiving.That is why denial is such an ingrained component of addiction.
We will always find somebody worse until we are dead.Then it's no longer an issue.Our research is complete.
You are right.It's very deceiving.That is why denial is such an ingrained component of addiction.
We will always find somebody worse until we are dead.Then it's no longer an issue.Our research is complete.
Ditto what blonde chick said.
I think the "loss of material" aspect that addiction can sometimes bring is the one that most people focus on. I was fortunate that I didn't lose too much in that way. What I did lose was the ability to look in the mirror...I literally could not look at my eyes in the mirror because they were so VACANT.
I lost my connection to my higher self, my spirit and I couldn't really talk to God anymore. I just got to the point where I could not go on like I was anymore...I just couldn't. I really didn't believe I could stop, but I knew I had to try.
One day became two and two became three...and before I knew it, I started to believe that I could make it through each day. Now, I string all those days together and it is starting to look like a season. I like that! No, I love that!
Life really does happen, just one little ole day at a time. Living each day...for that day, keeps me in touch with the little things. It keeps me from being overwhelmed, and it keeps me humble that God has granted me this day. I am so grateful for the wise words and love and support that is shown here.
Good post Tim, as always.
Sarah
I think the "loss of material" aspect that addiction can sometimes bring is the one that most people focus on. I was fortunate that I didn't lose too much in that way. What I did lose was the ability to look in the mirror...I literally could not look at my eyes in the mirror because they were so VACANT.
I lost my connection to my higher self, my spirit and I couldn't really talk to God anymore. I just got to the point where I could not go on like I was anymore...I just couldn't. I really didn't believe I could stop, but I knew I had to try.
One day became two and two became three...and before I knew it, I started to believe that I could make it through each day. Now, I string all those days together and it is starting to look like a season. I like that! No, I love that!
Life really does happen, just one little ole day at a time. Living each day...for that day, keeps me in touch with the little things. It keeps me from being overwhelmed, and it keeps me humble that God has granted me this day. I am so grateful for the wise words and love and support that is shown here.
Good post Tim, as always.
Sarah
Sarah-You are doing so awesome.I see a lot of growth.Keep it up.
What a great post to read this morning Tim.
I too am one of the extremely lucky ones,i realised before my life became completely out of control,that i was an addict.I thank god everyday for that,it could have gone on much longer and gotten much much worse.In fact i have family members who are going through just that,rock rock bottom,and nothing anyone says or does can penetrate through their denial.I think seeing that,has helped me to analize my own situation and stop it before it got "that" bad,not that it wasnt bad enough,becasue it sure was,but....
Im so happy for those of us on this board who are making it,day by day,fighting the goiod fight,and living a better life.For those of you just starting on that journey,theres many here that are living proof,it can be done and its so much better once youve taken the steps to live a better way of life.I wish you all the best.~KIM
I too am one of the extremely lucky ones,i realised before my life became completely out of control,that i was an addict.I thank god everyday for that,it could have gone on much longer and gotten much much worse.In fact i have family members who are going through just that,rock rock bottom,and nothing anyone says or does can penetrate through their denial.I think seeing that,has helped me to analize my own situation and stop it before it got "that" bad,not that it wasnt bad enough,becasue it sure was,but....
Im so happy for those of us on this board who are making it,day by day,fighting the goiod fight,and living a better life.For those of you just starting on that journey,theres many here that are living proof,it can be done and its so much better once youve taken the steps to live a better way of life.I wish you all the best.~KIM
Yep, Tim, I didn't lose the material things, my job (in fact I was still getting promotions), my husband, my family....I was a superb functioning addict that lost my soul....For me, spiritual bankruptcy was the most horrific bottom that there is and today, I realize that if I go back out, I have the list of Yets but losing my soul is the first on the list..........No reservations here, I am done and will go to any lengths for my recovery....
And when I am in meetings, I make sure I pray to my HP to help me see the similarites and discard the differences...it's not where we went in addiction but how we feel....
Good post...thank you....
xoxo
Stacey
And when I am in meetings, I make sure I pray to my HP to help me see the similarites and discard the differences...it's not where we went in addiction but how we feel....
Good post...thank you....
xoxo
Stacey
Hey Stacey-Thanks for that e-mail the other day.
I know I get redundant with all my quoting but I read this today and it helped me understand why there is such a resistance to recovery.This was definitely true in my case.
"Alcoholics may have many excuses why AA is not for them.They may object,"I've been to AA meetings.They talk about God all the time,and I'm an atheist.I don't believe in God,so I can't use AA."
"The problem,however,isn't that the sddict doesn't believe there is a God.Most believe deep down that there is.The problem is,they think they're God."
"In order to accept a higher power,whether it be religious or otherwise,addicts must realize that they are not in control of some aspect of life.Indeed,this is what hay-fever sufferes do when they take a nonaddictive medication.
Even the worst sneezing attack doesn't make hay-fever sufferes feel like second-class citizens.To insist they control their sneezing,when in fact they can't,would be delusional."
I know I get redundant with all my quoting but I read this today and it helped me understand why there is such a resistance to recovery.This was definitely true in my case.
"Alcoholics may have many excuses why AA is not for them.They may object,"I've been to AA meetings.They talk about God all the time,and I'm an atheist.I don't believe in God,so I can't use AA."
"The problem,however,isn't that the sddict doesn't believe there is a God.Most believe deep down that there is.The problem is,they think they're God."
"In order to accept a higher power,whether it be religious or otherwise,addicts must realize that they are not in control of some aspect of life.Indeed,this is what hay-fever sufferes do when they take a nonaddictive medication.
Even the worst sneezing attack doesn't make hay-fever sufferes feel like second-class citizens.To insist they control their sneezing,when in fact they can't,would be delusional."
Great post to wake up to this morning. Thank you Tim.
I didn't lose any material items either. I didn't lose people as well. I lost myself.
Was that worse? I think so. It was damn hard to get back. But when you do the work, suit up and show up, it can be done. I think I've done did it....<smile>
I didn't lose any material items either. I didn't lose people as well. I lost myself.
Was that worse? I think so. It was damn hard to get back. But when you do the work, suit up and show up, it can be done. I think I've done did it....<smile>
There's me...
When I took the 1st step and admitted then surrendered to the fact I am powerless and my life is unmanageable, a whole new world opened up for me...
I no longer am in control, I allow my HP, whom I call God, run the show...I ask daily for him to show me his will, not Stacey's will and when I do that, I am at peace....Life has difficult times but as long as I stay in the Now and enjoy and live each moment, I've got a chance....
You keep quoting Tim, because I so enjoy your posts and my HP speaks through people, you being one of those people...
xoxo
Stacey
| QUOTE |
| "The problem,however,isn't that the sddict doesn't believe there is a God.Most believe deep down that there is.The problem is,they think they're God." |
When I took the 1st step and admitted then surrendered to the fact I am powerless and my life is unmanageable, a whole new world opened up for me...
I no longer am in control, I allow my HP, whom I call God, run the show...I ask daily for him to show me his will, not Stacey's will and when I do that, I am at peace....Life has difficult times but as long as I stay in the Now and enjoy and live each moment, I've got a chance....
You keep quoting Tim, because I so enjoy your posts and my HP speaks through people, you being one of those people...
xoxo
Stacey
hey tim-i'm in dt houston.
i think i may have mentioned that before.
thank you for sharing all of your wisdom. you are an inspiration, more than you know. i hope you know that everything you contribute to this site - does great things to everyone and (yourself).
Thank you again.
i think i may have mentioned that before.
thank you for sharing all of your wisdom. you are an inspiration, more than you know. i hope you know that everything you contribute to this site - does great things to everyone and (yourself).
Thank you again.
Skeeter-I live in Spring Branch.Where in downtown do you live?We should get together for coffee sometime.Have a great day.It's morning.I didn't see your post until now.
Later............man,it's cold here this morning.
Later............man,it's cold here this morning.
i went to spring woods. graduated in '98.
what a coincidence huh!!???
when are they going to finish I-10 ??!
what a coincidence huh!!???
when are they going to finish I-10 ??!
Skeeter ask-when are they going to finish I-10 ??!
Hey.I think they are doing a pretty good job.I've never seen a fwy.rennovated so fast.Think of how long it took them to do the Gulf Freeway.
Hey.I think they are doing a pretty good job.I've never seen a fwy.rennovated so fast.Think of how long it took them to do the Gulf Freeway.
