Message Boards and Forums Directory

Go Back   SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information > New to Addiction and Recovery? > Newcomers to Recovery
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Social Groups Chat Room [3] Mark Forums Read My Posts

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-27-2008, 03:09 AM   #1 (permalink)
Member
 
Photonic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 9
New to the site and hello.

Greetings;

People have taken to calling me nic in the chatroom, and I am relatively new here. I've had and do continue to have problems and am looking for all the support I can get. I don't want to write War and Peace but can give some background information. My problems began in childhood for me and I am not prepared to discuss those here. Later on in life I joined the military and it probably complicated my issues further. I am a chronic sufferer of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and social anxiety disorder. I have been on xanax for eight years now and an SSRI to combat this. My life returned pretty much to normal for several years. I went back to school and now work as a nurse. I recently thought it would be a good ideal to back off on the xanax and it didn't work out too well. I have learned that I am going to require extensive therapy and the thought of this is rather frightening to me. I see no other alternative if I am to reclaim my life, which is what I would like to do.
I suppose that is about it, I am always open to suggestions and would appreciate any input.

Thank You
Photonic is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 13 Users Say Thank You to Photonic For This Useful Post:
barb dwyer (04-27-2008), butterfly19 (06-13-2008), Dean62 (04-27-2008), felly79 (04-27-2008), flgirl (06-13-2008), Katecan (04-27-2008), least (06-13-2008), mattcake79 (04-27-2008), mle-sober (04-27-2008), resentful wife (04-28-2008), Rusty Zipper (04-27-2008), suki44883 (06-13-2008), Surlyredhead (06-14-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 03:11 AM   #2 (permalink)
Community Greeter
 
indigo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mid-Life Express
Posts: 8,443
I have been in therapy for years and it has been one of my saviours, if that helps. Welcome to SR, I'm sure others will be along soon with their ES&H.
__________________
When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself." Namasté
indigo is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to indigo For This Useful Post:
Katecan (04-27-2008), Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 03:25 AM   #3 (permalink)
same planet...different world
 
barb dwyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: butte mt
Posts: 6,900
Hi nic!

Welcome to SR!

Have you taken a look around?
YOu might want to go over to the Mental health Forums -
maybe read some of the 'stickies" at the top of the forum there,
and someof the threads as well.
YOu can even post a thread if you feel like it,
saying the same thing introducing yourself and all that.

You might be surprised how many PTSD and CPTSD'ers there are over there!
__________________
...THINK!!!...
(or thwim!)
barb dwyer is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to barb dwyer For This Useful Post:
Katecan (04-27-2008), Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 03:47 AM   #4 (permalink)
Member
 
warrens's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: 49 degrees north
Posts: 720
Welcome!

I hope you find a place of trust and sharing here. As suggested, the aid of medical and psychiatric help is probably essential.

Folks here are here as a result of all manner of demons. Many suffer PTSD and other traumas. In many cases, people find that sharing that in a safe place is very helpful.

This is a safe place for that should you wish to. There is little that I would hesitate to discuss on SR. All is intertwined when it comes to addiction. There are no voyeurs here, just people attempting to become whole and sharing with others doing the same.

Hope to see you here often. SR has been of immense help to me. I have yet to come across anyone who is truly "unique." As you read you will see that.

Again, welcome.

warren
warrens is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to warrens For This Useful Post:
Katecan (04-27-2008), mle-sober (04-27-2008), Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 04:27 AM   #5 (permalink)
Member
 
Rusty Zipper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: my room in ct.
Posts: 9,265
hiya nic, welcome to the joint!

good wishes to you nic

rz
__________________
Rule 62
Rusty Zipper is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Rusty Zipper For This Useful Post:
Katecan (04-27-2008), Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 04:55 AM   #6 (permalink)
Member
 
least's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 1,372
Welcome to a safe and loving place! Keep on posting your questions. You'll find a lot of support here.
least is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to least For This Useful Post:
Katecan (04-27-2008), Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 05:52 AM   #7 (permalink)
Forum Leader
 
51anna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 9,607
Hi Nic,

Welcome to the forums!

It sounds like you've made a difficult decision to try to get off the xanax. And, I can imagine that the thought of extensive therapy is scary. It's really hard to look inside and get to the root of the problems that brought us here. But, in my opinion, it's the way to do it. Then we can begin to heal.
__________________
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

51anna is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to 51anna For This Useful Post:
Katecan (04-27-2008), mle-sober (04-27-2008), Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 06:45 AM   #8 (permalink)
Let go, let God.
 
Katecan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 246
Welcome to SR nic.
__________________
I once was lost, but now I'm found - Amazing Grace
Katecan is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Katecan For This Useful Post:
Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 08:58 AM   #9 (permalink)
come, kneel with me.
 
mattcake79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 265
Thumbs up

Welcome to SR Nicky So you finally made it to the forums, I'm glad you're reaching out. As you know, I think therapy should be a mainstay of your recovery, as I believe that undefinitely masking your symptoms with medication is *not* treatment. Some issues need to be dealt with with the help of other people.



Matty
mattcake79 is online now  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to mattcake79 For This Useful Post:
ananda (04-27-2008), butterfly19 (06-13-2008), Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 11:26 AM   #10 (permalink)
just some guy
 
StayinAlive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 392
Welcome NIC(i bet matt gave you that name) and congratulations on beginning your journey to peace of mind body and soul.

"I have learned that I am going to require extensive therapy and the thought of this is rather frightening to me."

Setting out into the unknown can evoke feelings of apprehension and nervous anticapation, but the result will be great rewards in self awareness and confidence. Bring a camera

We are always here for ya at base camp
__________________
never stop growing
StayinAlive is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to StayinAlive For This Useful Post:
Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 04-27-2008, 12:09 PM   #11 (permalink)
mle-sober
 
mle-sober's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 439
Hi Nic,

I looked at your profile and saw your sobriety date is one day away from mine - You're 2/3/08 & I'm 2/2/08. So you're coming up on 90 days like me! I'm sure you've done some hard work already to get where you are. So, good job.

I have had a pretty strange life with many things I wouldn't wish on anyone. I was neglected and abused as a child. And I was raped twice as a teenager. Most of my adult life was dominated by severe undiagnosed bipolar disorder which would land me, again and again, in the locked psychiatric ward. I drank seriously since I was 14 which exacerbated my bipolar. I battled suicidality constantly. But now, today, I am stable and sober. Lithium, along with Seroqul and Depakote keep my Bipolar mostly stable. I am no longer suicidal. I can be a good mom and I'm trying every day to be a good wife.

I am telling you all this because I want you to know that there are other people who have severe situations which they've had to go to battle with. And you can come out the other side.

Therapy has been an absolutely vital part of my being able to live a "normal" life. One of the reasons I drank initially was because of my childhood and then it all got reinforced as a teen. I never could have dealt with that stuff on my own without being in therapy. As I was dealing with it, I would sometimes need to be hospitalized just because I could no longer funtion without hurting myself.

I wouldn't say it ever really goes away - I have broken pieces in me that I can't get out. But at least I know what they are and why they're there. Always before, I'd have times when I would be suffering so badly (triggered by something I couldn't even identify) and I didn't even have a name for it.

I know it is painful and difficult. And sometimes it seems impossible. But you can do this. I am certain of that. I'm glad you're here. Keep posting.

I'm sorry if my post is too much information and I should be doing this differently.
mle-sober is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to mle-sober For This Useful Post:
ananda (04-27-2008), flgirl (06-13-2008), Photonic (04-27-2008)
Old 06-13-2008, 01:08 PM   #12 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CYN COUNTRY CA
Posts: 1
hell
o this is my first day sober and boy this hearts and only half the day has gone by friday nite is comeing and boy am i scared the only good thing is i cant get anymore pills
hendu2008 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 01:22 PM   #13 (permalink)
Member
 
SoBearish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NYC - New York
Posts: 235
Hi Nic

The fear of therepy is nothing like the actual process. Some days you wont want to go some days you will. However you will always be glad that you started treatment.
__________________
Find Your Strength (and keep a lookout for mine will ya? k thx)
SoBearish is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 01:39 PM   #14 (permalink)
sct
a simple crazy thing
 
sct's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 110
Hi Nic- good to see you on the forums too.

I also deal with social anxiety, and ptsd (from a variety of sources) and counseling has been amazingly helpful. The best advice I can give is to find a therapist you trust, and to be as honest as you possibly can with them, and don't be afraid to take things slowly, because it can be a really intense process.
__________________
Ask a simple crazy thing... singing in the snow...

(EE Cummings)
sct is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 01:43 PM   #15 (permalink)
Codaholic Alcodependant
 
Astro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Phoenix, AZ, in a home filled with love
Posts: 4,884
Folks, this is a post from April and Photonic is a very active member in the chat rooms here. I'm grateful for his presence in our Sunday afternoon chat meetings, and appreciate the experience he shares.

hendu2008, welcome to SR! Perhaps you'd like to start your own post to introduce yourself? We're always happy to have another new member here.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty, and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming---*WOW-What a ride*"
Astro is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 02:26 PM   #16 (permalink)
mle-sober
 
mle-sober's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 439
Thanks for the clarification - I was confused!

mle-sober is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to mle-sober For This Useful Post:
Astro (06-13-2008)
Old 06-13-2008, 03:23 PM   #17 (permalink)
Member
 
sailorjohn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MI
Posts: 404
WELCOME!!!
__________________
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Buddha
sailorjohn is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati