I'm still stuck...

[suezeeq56]

Hi,
im a new member to this site as of today and i wanted to share a problem that i have with you guys... i am a 17 year old male.. i am currently living out on my own for 2 mounths. My legal guardian who has had custody of me since i was 3 has kicked me out because i was breaking in to her house. since then i have been introduced to crystal meth. i have slipped into it 2 different times.. but have had the strength to walk away from it after feeling the symptoms of the withdrawls... i just had a benge of 5 days and i lost 6 pants sizes from 34 to 29. and lost 13 pounds. i walked away from the substance yesterday and im having the earge to make it. i dont want to go back but i feel as if im still addicted.... i almost killed myself 2 times during that 5 days.. and also almost got shot... I WAS RISKING MY LIFE FOR IT!?!?!?
the time prior to that i was stuck on it for 2 week's then left the day before the house got raided. and ended up getting my house raided which is why my guardian kicked me out. and i walked away from it and told myself stuff like "im not addicted to it" and "i olny liked it cause it was fun". but i now realize what it did to me...

Basically, i joined this forum to seek a little bit of insight on what i should do with my life..

any advice pm me.....

[bittersweet1988]

First things first. I think it was a good idea to seek out help even if it is online. Sometimes thats where the best advice can come from. Second thing, if you got kicked out where are you staying? I hope not with anyone that uses drugs of any kind? The worse thing you want to happen is to go from one substance to another and get addicted to that as well. If you aren't in a stable living environment I suggest that you move and find an alternative. If you don't have any choices I suggest a Half Way House, also known as a recovery house. Your local Community of Mental Health Office can direct and help you with that. It is a good place to start. I looked down at the idea at first but realized it isn't that bad.

Second, go to some meetings, explore and find a home meeting where you like the people and where you feel comfortable. Share where you are and find a sponsor.

On your question of where you are in life... I am not sure how to answer that honestly, I don't even know where I am in life right now. Floating from one place to another. But I can say. Make short term goals, ones you know you can achieve and them keep making bigger ones as you go. It will get you somewhere. I hope that this helps you. I have never used crystal meth, I was very close one time but I didn't do it. I am not sure what they can do for you but I am sure if the withdraws are severe enough you should probably go to the closest hospital and ask to be put into a rehab center. Good luck to you and I hope that this helps you. Any other questions feel free to message me.

[Redmayne]

Having an addiction, any addiction, whether it be to drugs, alcohol, sex or gambling is a bit like getting into a lift (elevator?) on the top floor of a tower building. You can only go down, right!

The difference is, as opposed to other people, you have no set destination, the choice is yours, you can get off at any floor you want and walk away.

Or remain in the lift until it reaches the basement, and effectively hits ,'rock bottom'!

Every addict has their own 'rock bottom', for some it might be a few floors down in the lift, or others, a few more, for some it might be the basement, but one way or another you will hit it, sooner or later, guaranteed. And only youwill know, that's if you're still alive, that is.

Until then, when you, in yourself, recognise and accept that you have an addiction, and of your own violition, learn to change your perspective on life, perhaps in the suggested 12 Step programme of recovery, all you can do, is learn from your environment. In this case, take advantage of all that is on offer through those who contribute, administer and support this site, that's not to difficult is it After all, you've taken the First Step, just by being here.

May the god of your understanding go with you....

[SentencedToLife]

join the military

[Redmayne]

I've no idea if military service is apathway tom cure addictions, like drugs, alcohol, etc.,so I really can't comment on that.

I do know, that in the UK, one of the biggest social problems is the rehabilitation of some, not all servicemen and women returning to civilian life after service inrecent conflicts, Iraq, Afghanistan to name two.

The streets and prisons, have a high proportion of ex service personnel suffering from alcohol and drug abuse with it's other derivatives, anti social behaviour.

As an ex serviceman my self, albeit some time ago, 1962-69, I can't recall that there were many teetotallers about, of course at that time the use and abuse of narcotics was rarely heard of, if ever, at all.

So it seems to me, it's the individuals choice, hey! did I hear someone say, "Peer pressure", not forgetting the demands and stress encountered when engaged in any conflict....

[Redmayne]

My advice, if you want to get off,'the elevator',

1.Keep it simple, one thing at a time, one day at a time.

2. Avoid ,'self will', any addicts biggest adversary.

3. No matter how bad you feel things are, look for help, there's plenty on here or at Narcotics Anonymous, whre you can meet, talk, share and identify with others. We've all been there before.

4. Don't take half measures in YOUR recovery. you, are doing this for you, no one else, so, 'go for it!'

5. Although it may seem difficult and alien at first, hand YOUR life and self will, over to the 'god of your understanding, not mine or anyone else's god, YOURS, do that and you will go a long way in recovery.

It's all here for you, now just,'press that elevator button.' ok.