Weekenders - What’s it like to be an addict? 28 April - 01 May 2023
 

Weekenders - What’s it like to be an addict? 28 April - 01 May 2023

I can across this post from Weasel and thought it too interesting to not share with you.



“You don’t have to be curious to ask a question. You can be uncomfortable and ask the same question.



What does it feel like to be an addict? To want drugs or drinking?



When I answer and you’re uncomfortable you look away. Curious people don’t look away. They want to see your answer as well as hear it. But that’s ok. I respect the question regardless of it origins. To me the answer doesn’t change. The meaning is steady. My purpose to explain is forthright in all cases. The question is less about me and very much about the person asking. They say to themselves am I like you? Could I be like you? The answer for me is always yes, you are and you can. But thats not the answer they want to hear. No. They want to hear there is some mysterious reason for the condition that will never come to prey on them like it has me. That my internal issues are the effect and the cause.



I respond the same… It feels like hell. A betrayal of your own mind and more so of your own heart. I would say its painful but that’s just an after thought. A mere side effect of the condition.



I proceed to tell them that all conditions can change. By your own hand or by circumstance, it can change and most certainly does. For better or for worse it always changes because nothing stays the same until you’re an addict that is. Addicts stay the same. For much longer than they want to be. Addiction is the most steady element of the human condition that can exist. A stasis of a kind. You stop when you start and you start when you stop.



Change happens when you want it to happen. That’s the simplest form of recovery that I know”.



Thanks @Weasel1966



If this is your first weekend sober, or many, come join us for support and chat...as we know the weekends can be a struggle sometimes. (We’re here all week too!) :)

"You stop when you start and start when you stop." So dang powerful. Thanks Mags. In for a sober weekend.

thanks Mags (and Weasel) :)

D

Shotgun! Good one Mags. Got to be clear with ourselves that we have an addictive personality.

End of Day 528 for me - Good night from Seattle.

Congratulations on shotgun calmself :You_Rock_

Thanks Mags.

Thanks Mags. I'm IN for a sober weekend.

It's another long holiday weekend here in the UK and it's also the same in a number of other countries too as Monday is May Day, also known as Labour Day or International Workers Day. I plan to have a lazy holiday weekend. Ideally the weather would be nice too but unfortunately rain is forecast.

What's it like to be an addict? it's very difficult and, for me, recovery is a work in progress. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is a better life out there for me if I want it, which I do.

Very nice!

We are in the season of Spring fishing trips here and the big annual trip with my buddies is next week. It has long been the tradition to drink extraordinary amounts of beer. Three years ago, I didn't drink but was a ball of nerves the whole time. Two years ago, myself and one other, who had recently gotten a DUI, didn't drink. Last year I didn't go (covid). This year, there are others saying that they aren't going to drink, which feels very positive. Is it because of my example? Probably not entirely, but surely it didn't hurt.

"Change happens when you want it to happen”. I love this!

Cityboy, I am sure you are a great example which I am sure helped a lot
"Change happens when you want it to happen" I love this too and it is so very true. You can't go half @@@@@ thinking things will get done or get better. Does not work that way.
Mags, Once again thanks!!:tyou

Here for the weekend and beyond. Thanks Mags. Mrs D. leaves tomorrow, she is very excited to hug our daughter. I have a ton of stuff to deal with regarding dads estate to keep me busy. Including surrendering the cats to a shelter. We've tried to find a home, but no luck. I feel bad about it and have been procrastinating.

Hi Dragon :wavey:
It's ok to have a break here and there to breathe between two emptying / cleaning / surrending (etc) tasks.
Sorry for the cats, at least you tried.

Thanks for the new Weekenders chapter Mags!

I'll go à la Sao! https://www.animatedimages.org/data/...image-0097.gif
https://i.imgur.com/C3pw2TF.jpg

St, that is a lot to deal with, I would have to think the shelter will find a good home for them. Big hug to you.

Thanks Alpine for the encouraging words yesterday. 🙏
GM all from Seattle, time to login

Pledging for today and the weekend. Day 207

Thanks Mags and friends :wavey:

In for another weekend! :headbang:

https://i.postimg.cc/7LpKx5w1/A09806...41-A2-EA89.jpg

In for a Sober Weekend.

Dragon, it would be ideal if the shelter could adopt them out as a bonded pair. :). It's bad enough they lost their human. :(.

I'm in for the weekend. :). I've been sleeping so much the past couple weeks, I barely know what day it is.

Hi PJ. :wavey: How's her ladyship today? Give her a tummy rub from me. :hug:

Saw my doctor Monday and told him of my feet still being terribly numb. He referred me to a neurologist. When I finally get an appt with the NS I will ask if they can diagnose and treat my carpal tunnel which came back 21 yrs after my surgery on both hands. I hope they can do something cause my fingers hurt and have no strength at all anymore.

Calmself, anytime and always

Weekend check-in, thanks!

An active addict feels like (insert negative self description here).
We used, so we wouldn’t feel hurt, shame, depressed, lost, lonely……………

In fact, I think that’s ALL active addicts DO feel.


For me, self love, happiness, just being content, or energetic or enthusiastic was non existent.

Now I have all the self love and acceptance that I need.

Thanks, Mags 🎁