Friday night chat - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

**Rowan** · 01-11-2008, 09:45 AM

Tonight at 9 pm EST in the Meeting Room I will be chairing a Newcomers meeting. Discussion and topics welcome. See you there

soberbritgirl · 01-11-2008, 11:13 AM

I look forward to it. I have a battle ahead of me. I call myself a high-functioning drug addict, since I have been able to keep a pretty normal life despite smoking weed every day for close to 20 years. It had got out of control - smoking all the time and barely going to my sales job. My numbers are so high, my boss doesn't say anything to me - even if I get to the office by 4PM! Spent way too much money on it over the years.

I have now been sober from drugs (not inc. alcohol) since 1-4-08.

I also took cocaine every day for nearly 4 years, but I quit around 6 years ago though this holiday season - I was at a few parties and indulged - not good, but not worried about retunring to it - don't really like it.

Scared that I am now replacing weed with wine. Go to the gym almost every night. I run races and place in my age division -so I think my outwardly healthy appearance has enabled to justify my bad habit.

I'm just over how it is now making me feel, but I am going through something of a withdrawal at the moment and it is making me feel antsy and this week it has been tough to get to work, as I have been staying up till 3 - 4 in the morning.

I have friends supporting me, but want to be able to have some accountability and there are no NA meetings near my home.

***nandm*** · 01-11-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soberbritgirl

.....Scared that I am now replacing weed with wine. Go to the gym almost every night. I run races and place in my age division -so I think my outwardly healthy appearance has enabled to justify my bad habit......I have friends supporting me, but want to be able to have some accountability and there are no NA meetings near my home.

Have you considered going to an AA meeting. I have known people who did not have an NA meeting available to them to do this. The only thing I would suggest though is that when you refer to your drug of choice you don't specify it as many people do tend to get frustrated with talk of drugs in AA meetings. My experience has been that many people in AA have had dual addictions or problems. The AA and NA programs are both built upon the 12 Steps and 12 Principles. Glad to see you posting here and look forward to hearing more from you.

Judith

**Rowan** · 01-11-2008, 11:49 AM

Welcome to the board soberbritgirl I look forward to chatting with you tonight.

Mcribb · 01-11-2008, 11:53 AM

if you guys are around when I get off work 945 PM cst i will try to make it keep going guys

melwilson · 01-11-2008, 11:53 AM

I hope I can make it too! I'm tired of the mood swings associated with withdrawl.

GOD I need some ****ing help.

Mel

**51anna** · 01-11-2008, 12:01 PM

There's lots of support here!

bud349 · 01-11-2008, 01:05 PM

I will try to make it tonight. Not sure if I'll be home by then, but I hope I can.

chiynita · 01-11-2008, 01:19 PM

I am so excited to see that SR has live chat now. Now I really want my internet back.
Wish I could be there.
I know I can learn alot from you guys.

tkdan · 01-11-2008, 04:13 PM

That's awsome Rowan. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks!!!

soberbritgirl · 01-11-2008, 04:24 PM

I once went to an AA meeting to support a BF who had big alcohol and marijuana issues. I respect that these are people struggling with alcohol, and I wouldn't want to intrude on their recovery space - though I know we're a mixed group here.

I was watching Celebrity Rehab last night and stopping marijuana I heard the withdrawl is similar to those coming off heroin (a drug I have never touched) and that scared me. I heard it can be very difficult to quit. People think it's not addictive. It's an emotional addiction, but when you have been smoking for as long as I have then it is a problem. I am going to post at the times when I feel an urgency to call my dealer. Like now, it's Friday night I am alone at home. I don't have a BF, 38 divorced no kids - so it seems to be a recipe to not care about myself and just get 'high'. I don't have the life I want in that respect. Though I own a home, etc etc - all looks good from the outside. I left my exH due to his cocaine abuse - so drugs managed to destroy my marriage too!

I just think it would be good for me to stand up and admit 'I am a drug addict', because I have never admitted it - always thought I had a handle on it.

Going to cook dinner. See you at 9.

Philk · 01-11-2008, 04:35 PM

Hi all,

Was hoping for some advice...

I'm a total weed addict, it affects everything but I've not had a smoke now for nearly 3 weeks. The withdrawal (craving, anxiety, depression) is getting better but I still really cant face going out the house much at all. I'm just so used to sitting in my own little world.

I heard that this 'paranoia' goes away after around a month. Does anyone have any experience of this?

I just want to get back to normal so that I'm happy to come home and the first thing I do isn't smoke a joint.

Any feedback is very well appreciated. It probably doesn't help that I'm a little hungover today...

Thanks
Phil

**Rowan** · 01-11-2008, 04:46 PM

Hi Phil,

I'm glad you joined us. Please make yourself comfortable and take a look around.

nogard · 01-11-2008, 04:46 PM

hi Phil and brit girl, welcome to SR

Phil, its takes some time, might help if you laid off the booze to, good idea to go see a Doc and get checked out. Do you have any support? I go to NA and its given me a life, but there are many ways to get sober all of them seem to have one thing in common, sharing and being with other addicts in recovery.

Kevin

nogard · 01-11-2008, 04:47 PM

Also a good idea you guys to start a new thread in the Newcomers forum so that we can all welcome you

Kevin

Philk · 01-11-2008, 05:09 PM

thanks mate, i'll hang on in there.

I'm going to a drugs counsellor, and see a doctor regularly as I've been on anti-depressants since around 1 year after starting smoking weed heavily.

Yeah I've been trying to lay of the booze with mostly good sucess. Seems that since smoking heavily, when I go out I drink more than anyone else. Like I'm trying to get stoned.

I'm determined to stay off it, but I'm really hoping to feel more benefits soon. Was told that after a month I'll probably feel great.

Anyway thanks for posting, and I'll post in the newcomers section soon...

I just cant wait to find some peace, then I can just sit down and relax without smoking the way other people do. I aint had a GF for years, so thats the next step and I cant wait. But I figure I need to work on being content sitting watching tv or playing the computer before I start the old game of life properly again.

Cheers
Phil (UK)

nogard · 01-11-2008, 05:15 PM

Good luck Phil, my experience has been that it had to be compete abstinence. I had 20 years drug free and relapsed on Alcohol for 11 years.

My addiction will use any drugs even the ones I hate.

Kevin

PaperDolls · 01-11-2008, 07:53 PM

dang it: I just saw this!
I woulda been there.

Hope it was a good one!

01-11-2008, 09:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rowan Moderatin' Newf Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 8,641	Friday night chat Tonight at 9 pm EST in the Meeting Room I will be chairing a Newcomers meeting. Discussion and topics welcome. See you there
	__________________ "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

01-11-2008, 11:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rowan Moderatin' Newf Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 8,641	Welcome to the board soberbritgirl I look forward to chatting with you tonight.
	__________________ "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

01-11-2008, 12:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
51anna Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 10,594	There's lots of support here!
	__________________ Anna "I don't know what the future is holding in store I don't know where Im going, Im not sure where Ive been Theres a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me My life is worth the living, I don't need to see the end." John Denver

01-11-2008, 01:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
bud349 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23	I will try to make it tonight. Not sure if I'll be home by then, but I hope I can.
bud349 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 23

01-11-2008, 01:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
chiynita My Heart Is With The Ocean Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 4,789	I am so excited to see that SR has live chat now. Now I really want my internet back. Wish I could be there. I know I can learn alot from you guys.
	__________________

01-11-2008, 11:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
soberbritgirl Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: VA Posts: 6	I look forward to it. I have a battle ahead of me. I call myself a high-functioning drug addict, since I have been able to keep a pretty normal life despite smoking weed every day for close to 20 years. It had got out of control - smoking all the time and barely going to my sales job. My numbers are so high, my boss doesn't say anything to me - even if I get to the office by 4PM! Spent way too much money on it over the years. I have now been sober from drugs (not inc. alcohol) since 1-4-08. I also took cocaine every day for nearly 4 years, but I quit around 6 years ago though this holiday season - I was at a few parties and indulged - not good, but not worried about retunring to it - don't really like it. Scared that I am now replacing weed with wine. Go to the gym almost every night. I run races and place in my age division -so I think my outwardly healthy appearance has enabled to justify my bad habit. I'm just over how it is now making me feel, but I am going through something of a withdrawal at the moment and it is making me feel antsy and this week it has been tough to get to work, as I have been staying up till 3 - 4 in the morning. I have friends supporting me, but want to be able to have some accountability and there are no NA meetings near my home.

01-11-2008, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mcribb Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: KC missouri Posts: 96	if you guys are around when I get off work 945 PM cst i will try to make it keep going guys

01-11-2008, 11:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
melwilson Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: beaver dam, wi Posts: 31	I hope I can make it too! I'm tired of the mood swings associated with withdrawl. GOD I need some ****ing help. Mel

01-11-2008, 04:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
tkdan Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TX Posts: 394	That's awsome Rowan. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks!!!
	__________________ Life is too short to be waisted

01-11-2008, 04:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
soberbritgirl Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: VA Posts: 6	I once went to an AA meeting to support a BF who had big alcohol and marijuana issues. I respect that these are people struggling with alcohol, and I wouldn't want to intrude on their recovery space - though I know we're a mixed group here. I was watching Celebrity Rehab last night and stopping marijuana I heard the withdrawl is similar to those coming off heroin (a drug I have never touched) and that scared me. I heard it can be very difficult to quit. People think it's not addictive. It's an emotional addiction, but when you have been smoking for as long as I have then it is a problem. I am going to post at the times when I feel an urgency to call my dealer. Like now, it's Friday night I am alone at home. I don't have a BF, 38 divorced no kids - so it seems to be a recipe to not care about myself and just get 'high'. I don't have the life I want in that respect. Though I own a home, etc etc - all looks good from the outside. I left my exH due to his cocaine abuse - so drugs managed to destroy my marriage too! I just think it would be good for me to stand up and admit 'I am a drug addict', because I have never admitted it - always thought I had a handle on it. Going to cook dinner. See you at 9.

01-11-2008, 04:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Philk Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 7	Hi all, Was hoping for some advice... I'm a total weed addict, it affects everything but I've not had a smoke now for nearly 3 weeks. The withdrawal (craving, anxiety, depression) is getting better but I still really cant face going out the house much at all. I'm just so used to sitting in my own little world. I heard that this 'paranoia' goes away after around a month. Does anyone have any experience of this? I just want to get back to normal so that I'm happy to come home and the first thing I do isn't smoke a joint. Any feedback is very well appreciated. It probably doesn't help that I'm a little hungover today... Thanks Phil

01-11-2008, 04:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
Rowan Moderatin' Newf Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 8,641	Hi Phil, I'm glad you joined us. Please make yourself comfortable and take a look around.
	__________________ "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

01-11-2008, 04:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
nogard Connected at last Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne Victoria Australia Posts: 11,400	hi Phil and brit girl, welcome to SR Phil, its takes some time, might help if you laid off the booze to, good idea to go see a Doc and get checked out. Do you have any support? I go to NA and its given me a life, but there are many ways to get sober all of them seem to have one thing in common, sharing and being with other addicts in recovery. Kevin
	__________________ ...And like a bird that's on the wing and is flying free He can hear the song of home endlessly Last edited by nogard; 01-11-2008 at 05:14 PM.

01-11-2008, 04:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
nogard Connected at last Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne Victoria Australia Posts: 11,400	Also a good idea you guys to start a new thread in the Newcomers forum so that we can all welcome you Kevin
	__________________ ...And like a bird that's on the wing and is flying free He can hear the song of home endlessly

01-11-2008, 05:09 PM	#16 (permalink)
Philk Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 7	Thanks mate thanks mate, i'll hang on in there. I'm going to a drugs counsellor, and see a doctor regularly as I've been on anti-depressants since around 1 year after starting smoking weed heavily. Yeah I've been trying to lay of the booze with mostly good sucess. Seems that since smoking heavily, when I go out I drink more than anyone else. Like I'm trying to get stoned. I'm determined to stay off it, but I'm really hoping to feel more benefits soon. Was told that after a month I'll probably feel great. Anyway thanks for posting, and I'll post in the newcomers section soon... I just cant wait to find some peace, then I can just sit down and relax without smoking the way other people do. I aint had a GF for years, so thats the next step and I cant wait. But I figure I need to work on being content sitting watching tv or playing the computer before I start the old game of life properly again. Cheers Phil (UK)

01-11-2008, 05:15 PM	#17 (permalink)
nogard Connected at last Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne Victoria Australia Posts: 11,400	Good luck Phil, my experience has been that it had to be compete abstinence. I had 20 years drug free and relapsed on Alcohol for 11 years. My addiction will use any drugs even the ones I hate. Kevin
	__________________ ...And like a bird that's on the wing and is flying free He can hear the song of home endlessly

01-11-2008, 07:53 PM	#18 (permalink)
PaperDolls Miss Grumpy Pain in the Pants Join Date: May 2004 Location: Midwest Posts: 5,040	dang it: I just saw this! I woulda been there. Hope it was a good one!
	__________________ Sober Date: 07.07.2008