Trying Again
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 21
Trying Again
Hi,
I am 48 years old and I am addicted to marijuana and cocaine. I have been for the last 10 years. When I first started using crack 10 years ago, I smoked it from the glass pipe. It only took about 3 or 4 months before I was in big trouble. I was spending about $1500 a month. I got in trouble with the law and went to jail for 7 days. Fortunately, I had the money to pay a good lawyer so I wound up with only probation. I went into rehab (outpatient) and stopped crack for about 6 months. I was still smoking pot though. I had smoked pot off and on since I was 13 years old and I did not feel that it was that destructive. It was when I got involved in crack that I lost all control.
After being clean for 6 months, I got the brilliant idea to mix crack in my joint. The high was not as good but it made things easier to control. I could still work and not go crazy as I had before.
I continued this practice since 1998. I averaged spending about $50-$75 a day for all those years. While I had a good job (which I recently lost), I thought I could afford the price. But the toll has really added up. I have over $100K in credit card debt now.
I decided that I MUST stop now. I am too old and too tired to do this nonsense any longer. I stopped on Feb. 1st but then gave in again on Feb. 7th. I also gave in on Tuesday of this week. After coming home, I told my wife to take my keys and my credit cards, etc. I am basically a prisoner in my own house right now but I don't know what else to do.
I hope to find some help and encouragement on this site.
--JPHartford (not my real name)
I am 48 years old and I am addicted to marijuana and cocaine. I have been for the last 10 years. When I first started using crack 10 years ago, I smoked it from the glass pipe. It only took about 3 or 4 months before I was in big trouble. I was spending about $1500 a month. I got in trouble with the law and went to jail for 7 days. Fortunately, I had the money to pay a good lawyer so I wound up with only probation. I went into rehab (outpatient) and stopped crack for about 6 months. I was still smoking pot though. I had smoked pot off and on since I was 13 years old and I did not feel that it was that destructive. It was when I got involved in crack that I lost all control.
After being clean for 6 months, I got the brilliant idea to mix crack in my joint. The high was not as good but it made things easier to control. I could still work and not go crazy as I had before.
I continued this practice since 1998. I averaged spending about $50-$75 a day for all those years. While I had a good job (which I recently lost), I thought I could afford the price. But the toll has really added up. I have over $100K in credit card debt now.
I decided that I MUST stop now. I am too old and too tired to do this nonsense any longer. I stopped on Feb. 1st but then gave in again on Feb. 7th. I also gave in on Tuesday of this week. After coming home, I told my wife to take my keys and my credit cards, etc. I am basically a prisoner in my own house right now but I don't know what else to do.
I hope to find some help and encouragement on this site.
--JPHartford (not my real name)
Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 100
Hi, I am also in my 40s and today am trying yet again to get sober, alcohol is my addiction, I have drunk for 30 years and have had a problem for at least 15 of them. I have tried to get sober many times. I just wanted to say that you are not alone and I am sure that you will get lots of help and support from people who are dealing with the same issues as you. Good luck.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome to SR!
My drinking did not get out of hand
until I was 43. I started AA at 48.
Finally quit drinking at 53.
I'm giving you the ages so you can
see....Recovery is possible for you too.
I'm now 72 and enjoying life...
Out of the house and into NA.
That is my suggestion.
Blesings to you and your wife
My drinking did not get out of hand
until I was 43. I started AA at 48.
Finally quit drinking at 53.
I'm giving you the ages so you can
see....Recovery is possible for you too.
I'm now 72 and enjoying life...
Out of the house and into NA.
That is my suggestion.
Blesings to you and your wife
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 21
Hi folks,
A little update on myself. I made it through the weekend without using. I now have 6 days sober. I also started a new job today. Believe me I was worried, I am so far in debt that if I didnt get a job soon, I would lose my house.
My wife and I watched the HBO series on Addiction: Why Can't they Just Stop? this weekend. I got a lot out of it and she did too. I think she understands the nature of addiction a little better now.
Anyway, I am encouraged about the future and I hope this encourages someone else too.
JPHartford
A little update on myself. I made it through the weekend without using. I now have 6 days sober. I also started a new job today. Believe me I was worried, I am so far in debt that if I didnt get a job soon, I would lose my house.
My wife and I watched the HBO series on Addiction: Why Can't they Just Stop? this weekend. I got a lot out of it and she did too. I think she understands the nature of addiction a little better now.
Anyway, I am encouraged about the future and I hope this encourages someone else too.
JPHartford
God is my benzo
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte, nc
Posts: 198
Glad you made it through the weekend. I'm an alcoholic, but I also spent a few years in my early twenties addicted to coke and meth. It's not an easy thing to go through.
What worked for me, was 2-3 weeks in an inpatient treatment, followed by 6 weeks in intensive outpatient. Then, to be honest, I basically locked myself up in my parents house for the better part of 6 months. I had to stop hanging out in the same places, with the same people etc.
For alcoholism, I worked the 12 steps of AA. And let me tell you friend, it was a much easier recovery. I have not had to white knuckle it, I don't live in feer of alcohol as I did the drugs long after I had quit. The obsession was removed.
Hope this helps you make a decision. Pm me if you have any questions, and good luck.
What worked for me, was 2-3 weeks in an inpatient treatment, followed by 6 weeks in intensive outpatient. Then, to be honest, I basically locked myself up in my parents house for the better part of 6 months. I had to stop hanging out in the same places, with the same people etc.
For alcoholism, I worked the 12 steps of AA. And let me tell you friend, it was a much easier recovery. I have not had to white knuckle it, I don't live in feer of alcohol as I did the drugs long after I had quit. The obsession was removed.
Hope this helps you make a decision. Pm me if you have any questions, and good luck.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by 29a 
Glad you made it through the weekend. I'm an alcoholic, but I also spent a few years in my early twenties addicted to coke and meth. It's not an easy thing to go through.
What worked for me, was 2-3 weeks in an inpatient treatment, followed by 6 weeks in intensive outpatient. Then, to be honest, I basically locked myself up in my parents house for the better part of 6 months. I had to stop hanging out in the same places, with the same people etc.
For alcoholism, I worked the 12 steps of AA. And let me tell you friend, it was a much easier recovery. I have not had to white knuckle it, I don't live in feer of alcohol as I did the drugs long after I had quit. The obsession was removed.
Hope this helps you make a decision. Pm me if you have any questions, and good luck.
What worked for me, was 2-3 weeks in an inpatient treatment, followed by 6 weeks in intensive outpatient. Then, to be honest, I basically locked myself up in my parents house for the better part of 6 months. I had to stop hanging out in the same places, with the same people etc.
For alcoholism, I worked the 12 steps of AA. And let me tell you friend, it was a much easier recovery. I have not had to white knuckle it, I don't live in feer of alcohol as I did the drugs long after I had quit. The obsession was removed.
Hope this helps you make a decision. Pm me if you have any questions, and good luck.
Thanks for the encouragement. I do wish that I could go to an inpatient treatment facility but I can't because I can't be out of work that long. My wife is basically running a rehab for me in our house. She has my keys, my credit cards, everything (I am able to work from home via computer).
I bought the HBO series on Addiction over the weekend and Have watched the whole 14 hours. I found it helpful. I am talking on the phone with a friend who has been sober for 2 years. I am coming on this site to find help. I really, really, want to make it work. This is my plan for the moment but I know at some time, I will have to go out on my own and face the temptation head on. I am not strong enough today.
JPHartford
God is my benzo
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte, nc
Posts: 198
My parents basically did that to me as well. I stayed locked up in their basement for like 6 months. Which sounds bad, but there was a pool table and a big screen, so it wasn't a dungeon or anything. It was tough love and it worked.
It seems strange that I would say it worked even though I later had to go to aa, but I was brought up believing certain drugs were acceptable. mi vida loca.
When I went to AA, it was much easier than that. I went not only for booze but for other drugs as well, mainly weed and benzo's(like xanax, valium).
I definitely prefer the latter method. In my experience, working a 12 step program does much more for you than just taking away the obsession to use. It helps you build a life worth living while cleaning up the mess I made of my life and my relationships.
See where the NA groups meet in your area, it might be good for your wife to look into some alanon as well.
and again, let me know if I can do anything to help, and don't worry about staying clean forever, take it one day at a time.
It seems strange that I would say it worked even though I later had to go to aa, but I was brought up believing certain drugs were acceptable. mi vida loca.
When I went to AA, it was much easier than that. I went not only for booze but for other drugs as well, mainly weed and benzo's(like xanax, valium).
I definitely prefer the latter method. In my experience, working a 12 step program does much more for you than just taking away the obsession to use. It helps you build a life worth living while cleaning up the mess I made of my life and my relationships.
See where the NA groups meet in your area, it might be good for your wife to look into some alanon as well.
and again, let me know if I can do anything to help, and don't worry about staying clean forever, take it one day at a time.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stuttgart, Arkansas
Posts: 3
Whew!! I am glad I found this site. I am addicted to cocaine,pills and alcohol. I am hoping to become sober for good this time. I have been addicted for going on 11 years now and have had brief periods of sobriety. The most was a 30 day period while in rehab. That was almost 6 years ago. I lost custody of my children when I went to rehab. I have not seen them in several years. To make things even more complicated, my current husband is an addict as well. I have left him several times in order to get my own life together, but my disease always leads me back. I hope that I can get some feedback from people. This time I have been clean for 4 days. HELP
God is my benzo
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte, nc
Posts: 198
He wanta. Glad your here. It is definately a good first stop on the recovery highway. It is amazing the lengths we will go to for our disease, and how far down we have to go to get sober. Sharing with others is a good start. I have found the more I contribute to this site, the more I get from it.
I have been sober for nine months now. No pills, no pot, no booze. I did it with AA but there are many options out there.
I wish you the best and hope to see you around.
I have been sober for nine months now. No pills, no pot, no booze. I did it with AA but there are many options out there.
I wish you the best and hope to see you around.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by wantanewlife
Whew!! I am glad I found this site. I am addicted to cocaine,pills and alcohol. I am hoping to become sober for good this time. I have been addicted for going on 11 years now and have had brief periods of sobriety. The most was a 30 day period while in rehab. That was almost 6 years ago. I lost custody of my children when I went to rehab. I have not seen them in several years. To make things even more complicated, my current husband is an addict as well. I have left him several times in order to get my own life together, but my disease always leads me back. I hope that I can get some feedback from people. This time I have been clean for 4 days. HELP
It will be next to impossible to stay clean while living with an addict. If there is anyway to get into another rehab--do it. Just because the first one did not "take" does not mean its a waste of time. If you cannot, then I would suggest getting out and living with someone who is not an addict (another family member or friend). Even if its only for a week or so to get your head together.
Find an AA or NA close to you and go. Get a sponsor. Be willing to receive help. IT WILL NEVER GET BETTER ON ITS OWN
God is my benzo
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte, nc
Posts: 198
just to point out why this site is great, jphar posted this thread one of his first posts
after 10 or so responses, he is helping someone just trying to get sober
even though he does have some sober time, he is newish here
thought it was great
after 10 or so responses, he is helping someone just trying to get sober
even though he does have some sober time, he is newish here
thought it was great
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