detox/recovery timeline?

[Iceberg]

Hello again,

I have a question: My couselor outlined a timeline for detox and said it would take 3-7 days to detox and then for about 30-90 days as your body heals you will experience "the honeymoon" phase where everything feels great. However, sometime after that you "hit the wall" and she described the situation as "If this is what sobriety is all about then forget it!" She has suggested I start antidepressants now so I am prepared when that time comes.

What is it all about???, anyone want to share what is it like?

Thanks!

[Anna]

Hi Iceberg,

I think everyone's situation is different. But, many people have a 'honeymoon period' which then fades. Personally, I never did, because I was trying to deal with my guilt and put my life back together. It doesn't sound like your counsellor is a dr and I guess her point is to prepare you for the time when you realize, that "yeah, all the same problems are here even though I'm sober". Have you had depression in the past and are you depressed now? You should probably talk to your dr about this. Again, for me I do take antidepressants but I drank because I was depressed and when the depression was treated I stopped drinking. The depression was there before, during and after the alcohol. I don't know what your situation is, but if you're uneasy, talk to your dr and ultimately do what you feel is right for you.

Keep us posted about your detox!

Love, Anna

[namommy]

Iceberg,

We relate to the 'honeymoon' as being on a 'pink cloud' and I've heard it said that if you are on a pink cloud, you better have on a pink parachute when it dissipates. By the pink parachute we are referring to a firm foundation of recovery, 90 meetings in 90 days, sponsor, homegroup, step work, and a support network. I've never heard of anyone going on anti-depressants just because they 'think' they might get depressed in the future. I would talk to an MD about that before i go through with it if I were you. Like Anna said, I take anti depressants, but I was on them long before I got clean. Stay realistic and optimistic and you will be fine, good luck with your detox.

Love ya

Laurie D

[bubblze30]

Every one is different. I think she is going by statistics. When I first got into recovery I was feeling ok, then crying, then well angry at missing the drug and it was well up and down one week to the next. Luckily I have a great counselor who works through these phases with me. three years in recovery now every four or five months I go through a depression phase but I have support groups womens groups and counseling. Each time I go through a situation I am stronger for the next time it hits. All people in recovery or not go through similar situations where they have to work through it. Thats life. Sure us addicts carry more baggage but its life plain and simple. Don't set yourself up thinking its going to be hell. Its life. It is up to you how you want to react or how you want to handle situations that arise. Do you want to use? Do you want to stay clean and deal with lifes situations as the come about? The longer we stay clean the stronger we get and the more tools we learn to deal with situations as they come into our lives. I told you very fopur or five months or so I go through a depression phase. Well latley the are less frequent why because I learned with the support of others to deal with them without using. The first time hard, then the next a bit less now when they come about I am ready for them and get through them alot quicker. What ever the reason why I just continue to stay away from a drink a day at a time and know that the moment I use I through all my work away. I am not ready to lose all I have learned and throw all my recovery out the window. Recovery is a life changing experience. It has giving me things I never knew possible. I just want you to know that all of us are different some get it quick some it takes a while but don't fret and worry you will be miserable give yourself a chance. You deserve it !!!!!!!!

As for the medication are you depressed? If no why take a pill. If I got a cold I take medication if I dont have a cold but think I will in two months I am not going to take cough medicine now because I know I will have a cold in two months. Just doesn't make sence to me to take something if nothing is wrong.