So I woke up on the floor this morning...

[Firpo]

Great news! I’d like to share something with you that is from personal experience as well as hearing it countless times from others. I’ve relapsed (started drinking again) three times over the past 36 years in sobriety and each time I tried to stop it was exponentially more difficult to stop and stay stopped. I’ve been sober again now 14 years and I still remember after 12 months wondering if the intense hourly cravings would ever go away. It will never be as easy as it has been this time (not that I think it wasn’t difficult) to maintain any sobriety. Each time a person decides to pick up that drink again it’s 10 X’s harder the next time to stop and another 10X’s harder the time after that. Keep up the good work and don’t give the ******* another chance.

 

[Jason Freeland]

Not the same but possibly helpful. I gave up tobacco awhile back. After making it thru the first day I decided I didn’t live thru that for nothing and I reflected on it every time I thought about giving in. Thought about my grandson picking it up after imitating me. Any tool i could use to help me succeed I used. Hope any of this is helpful.

We have better rehab rates with heroin than nicotine addiction, at least last time I looked. Good work.

 

[Jason Freeland]

Week 3, time for another update. Still going sober strong! Once I got past the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psych parts haven't been as bad as I anticipated. The cravings are becoming more and more rare. I still haven't returned to another AA meeting, but rather just spent my extra time in church and returning to a relationship with God. It hasn't been easy, but thanks to him, I'm on a 100% better path for myself and others around me. I feel better than I have in many years.

Haven't quite quit smoking yet, but I've about cut it in half at this point, using vape pens. Yeah yeah...their terrible I know, but not as bad as cigarettes. I'm on course to drop nicotine levels on said vape pens to 0 beginning of next year before shaking them off entirely.

All-in-all, the effects I'm seeing are most pronounced in the way I'm treating others. That in itself is a miracle. I've been so hateful and disrespectful for so long, that turning this corner has brought me a new appreciation for life. It isn't just about me anymore.

Best thing you can do for smoking is what you are doing, taper it down. When it comes time to quit, you will need to find something for your hands to do. It's as much a psychological addiction as it is physical. Cut lengths of drinking straws the same length as cigarettes and you will give your fingers something to hold onto that is familiar in size. Keep up the good work!

 

[Mr.Glock]

Good Job! I never had an addiction, but close kin, 2 of my brothers and many school, college men and women struggled with it. A few died. Stick with it, keep fighting it.

 

[clintbailey]

Glad you're making progress man, keep up the good work!

 

[HoLeChit]

Great to hear, keep it up!