Joe136

Hello everyone, Im 17 years old and just finshed highschool this last May. As soon as school ended all my friends found jobs and schools to attend, myself on the other hand found drugs and alcohol. With no plain or job the partying took over my life, I spent nearly all the money I had (about 2 grand) on Marijuana, Percocet, and alcohol. Not being able to afford my addiction I started selling the very drugs that had ahold of my life. Halfway through the summer my best friend (Stuck in the same problem still) asked me to go to a full weekend party. I went all out buying 10 Percocet, 1/4 ounce of weed and 2 handles of vaca. The first night was the typical party ending with me throughing up and drinking 20 mins later. We wanted to do something during the day before ppl got ready for round 2, so we plained on going to the beach. Needless to say I was high before I got dressed and smoked a few more times before we arrived, after 30 mins of fun in the sun one of the people I went with pulled out a duffel bag full of budweiser. never one to turn anything down I accept a beer. 5 mins into the beer the beach police started down the beach, Running or hiding the beer went out the window becuase it took them 2 seconds flat to get to where we were at. Not even the coozie could save me know and I got arrested. My 18 birthday is less then 2 months away but that didn't matter the police station called my parents and my mom had to come and pick me up 2 hours away from home. I sat in jail for 6 hours on a cement stool until they told me my mom was there. On the ride home I decided to tell my mom how far my addiction had really come and now im working on sobriety. I have a 300$ fine to pay (the rest of the money I have) and my mom dosn't trust me to walk to the end of the street. going as far as checking my pack of cigarettes everytime I walk out the door. Sitting at home the last 3 days without the drugs I once relied on to get me through the day. It starting to become harder and harder and I dont know what to do with myself. Sobriety is the only chance I have for a future, and its harder then I thought.

Dee74

Hi Joe

I know it might be hard to imagine but I kinda wished I'd been busted when I started. I'll never know, but maybe things might have turned out different.

Have you thought of getting some real life support happening?

SR is great, but why not look into other avenues of support too - whether that be a recovery group like AA or SMART, or maybe some addiction counselling?

I know from my own experience you can never get enough support. Give it some thought anyway

D

CarolD

Wellcome Joe....

I moved your story to our Newcomers Forum so members could
offer support and information. The Stories Forum does not
allow replies.

Glad you have joined us....

Wilde10

Welcome Joel!
I am 20 years older than you - And in early sobriety. Think about your next week, then next, next... seems funny how it can make 20 years more.
Wish you luck and strength!

least

Welcome to SR! Have you thought of going to any AA or NA meetings? You'll find people there from all walks of life who have the same problems you do. You can find lots of support there and ways to stay clean and sober. I wish you well in your sober journey.

Fandy

Hi Joe;
your story is a big red flag and you are smart enough to be waving it around because I think you really do NOT want to go down this road. You KNOW you are destroying any future you have by constant partying and heavy drinking. (you are also damaging your almost perfect young organs)...one thing at a time, get away from your so-called friends who are dragging you down with them....hang with those who indulge in other activities.

I'm glad you told your mom...and she CARES, that's why she keeps checking you.

wow, you blew a LOT of $$$ in a short amount of time and you do need to be held responsible...I'm with Dee, in sense it's good that you got snagged NOW instead of a year from now when you would be bogged down by more addictions.

pay your fines, really look for a job to concentrate on, the economy is tough, but you could be inventive to earn $$$...( in my neighborhood we pay to have someone help out with yardwork, dog-walking while we are at work, etc). you can't be *proud* to do mean tasks, think of it as part of your recovery and it keeps you occupied.

If you can, talk to your mom about getting some counseling to find out WHY you jumped into this lifestyle.

I don't want to lecture you, but i speak from experience, (I'm 53), you do not want to waste your life and educational opportunities....think how lame it will be to have to depend on your parents in 10 years because you are too fried to support yourself and women you WANT to date won't be interested.

best of luck, congrats on joining and we all support you.

Joe136

Thanks everyone for the warm welcomes I would just like to let everyone know that the night I came home from jail I applyed to many places around town and got a job today. staying away from Percocet is still a big struggle for me. The days seem never ending but when I feel I need drugs I come back and read a few stories from this website. This has helped im happy their are websites like this and caring ppl around the world.

least

Congrats on getting a job! That's quite an accomplishment these days.

Balou

Congrats on staying clean 3 or 4 days? I am also on Day 3, I feel horrible. I'm glad you are up walking around, getting a job, good for you. Don't worry about your mom, she's just being a mom, better to have one that cares then one that doesn't.

Every waking minute is a chance to turn it all around.

artsoul

Welcome, Joe! Glad you decided to come here and share your story. Better to get caught on the beach with some friends than on the street after killing someone with your car.

It's hard to deal with the cravings at first, but it gets better. Try to just take it one day at a time and concentrate on getting through that day. The first few days seemed really long for me, too, but just give it time. The longer you stay off the drugs, the easier it will get.

It's great that you have a new job to focus on, too. Just don't overwhelm yourself and try out an NA or AA meeting - it's alot like coming here and talking/listening to others working on their recovery. SR is great, too - I spend a lot of time here and it really helps.

NEOMARXIST

Hi there. I have no experience with Percocets. I had never heard of people taking prescription opiate derivative pills and such like before SR. I did love my pills back in the day but they weren't like those USA pills that many seem to take recreationally where we would take Ecstacy or BZP/Amphetamine. I would have gladly snapped those up if they were around back when i was still drinking and drugging but like I say pillhead in England(Certainly where I come from) refers to E's and such like.

I am a recovering alcoholic. I think you have recognised where your drinking and drugging is heading. You are 17 so have the chance to really turn your life round. It has its own difficulties being so young as there are a million excuses you can make as to why you can't quit. So it's vital you can accept yourself as an addict/alcoholic (assuming you are of course) Imo. Otherwise I would imagine you will take the first drink/hit eventually and then you're back off again.

I got sober at 23 and I am 24 now. I have over a year sober and clean now. My main drugs of abuse were Cocaine, BZP, Ecstacy, Speed, cannabis (back in the earlier days) + lsd, shrooms, lsa, Ketamine. Though it was cocaine which really took over and was heading in a similar dark direction as my alcohol abuse. I am first and foremost an alcoholic. Alcohol was my preferred drug.

I can sometimes feel like I missed out on certain things in a way as I literally never went out or socialised without wanting to and getting wrecked. I feel like I am where I should have been when I was 16-18 and I'm 24. But it's all good and I wouldn't change my journey.

I have rebuilt my life back up 'one day at a time' as I accepted that I was an alcoholic and addict. Drinking was destroying my life and my mind. Drink would kill me. No doubt about that.

If you're an alcoholic/addict then committing now and living sober 'one day at a time' will save you a lot of heartache and problems.

All The Best. Peace

Fandy

great news Joe...and when I have a hard time, I also read and post here a lot. it is so fortunate that there is always someone on this website who gives help and encouragement.

congrats on the job and your strong resolve.

Ann

Welcome, Joe. Glad you found us.

LaFemme

Congrats Joe on getting your act together young. You are lucky you have your wake up call now instead of 20 years from now! I am slightly jealous:-) good luck!