Did swim drop the ball & causing drama in sobriety

[Spare Chaynge]

swims friend texted him that he was thinking about getting crack.. swim should of called him asap. but swim thought that he might be kidding.. swim called him about 2 hours later.. no answer he was smoking the crack.. did swim drop the ball..


swim also caused a large amount of drama this weekend...
swim has stock pile of drugs in a location hours away from where he lives. With a friend trusted to only allow access to it for purposes of stocking more.. don't ask why.. swim added some stuff to it and it caused a problem because swim bought them off a good friend who was presribed to them she said it was ok but her mom later found out and did not agree. to make things worse this girl is in recovery and her mom thinks she took them all.

if swim has expirence in causing more trouble in sobriety than in his using days please advise swim on how to deal with this..
swims sharp sober and on the ball with causing trouble.. nothing like stealing or anything just drugs and alcohol.

[moda00]

It's hard to say this, but I think it's clear the root of these problems is that even though swim is not using drugs now, he is still consumed with the thought of drugs and the process of getting them, and still involved with people who use or sell drugs. The actions of stockpiling drugs seem to imply that you want to have a "back-up." I know that is an easy trap to fall into in early recovery- it can be so hard to permanently close that door and not give yourself the option to use. Of course one must take it a day at a time- you aren't promising to stay clean forever, just for now, but by buying and stocking drugs swiy is setting himself up for relapse. Furthermore by being involved with people who are continuing to use, sell their meds, etc. he is also putting himself at risk, being constantly tempted or reminded. If these people are true friends, they will understand that swim needs some time away to get his recovery in order. Then, once he has his recovery straightened out, he can resume contact with them based on how he feels and where they are at. But it really sounds like everything is the same except the ingesting of drugs- stressing about drugs, using friends, buying drugs, trouble with parents, hiding things, etc. Have you heard the phrase "dry drunk?" It means an alcoholic who is not drinking but has not made any changes except cutting out alcohol- the lifestyle and mentality is the same thus one is not really moving towards recovery. I don't mean to be a downer but this can be an easy downfall in early recovery, and something you have to decisively move away from. It will be a lot easier not to "drop the ball" if the ball isn't so precariously close to being dropped Ie. distance yourself from these types of situations, get rid of the stash, get a new phone number, and let your friend with the crack know that while you want him to be happy and healthy, you need to focus on you right now and that out of respect for your safety and recovery, he simply cannot involve you in using discussion or behavior. Also, are you involved in counseling, recovery groups, etc.? I think it can be really helpful to have an objective third party to discuss these issues with. But first and foremost, you have to realize that recovery is about more than just quitting drugs. Best of luck!!!

Reputation Comments on this post:

	much wisdom, good advice
	Good advice!

[Fight Club]

^^^^^^^^
Agreed. When NIK first tried to get clean back in 2004, he just couldn't part with his "kit".

When he ran out of syringes, he would buy a new box of 100, even if he only needed a few for the "slip" he was planning, but could then never bring himself to toss the rest. They would sit in a box for a while. Then he would become obsessed with using again and play; just shooting saline or whatever.

In no time at all, he was back in the game.

If you really want to quit, get rid of all that stuff. It might make the difference between a relapse and holding off until the craving passes. When you go through that and come out clean on the other side, it makes you stronger, and better able to weather the next storm when it comes.

FC

Reputation Comments on this post:

excellent information about staying clean

[hippie_lain]

yeah listen to moda. For awhile swim thought that he would never drink or smoke again, feeling quit invinsible he started going to party just to hang out cause although swim was clean he was still glorifing the old days and was still interested in drugs just cause that was his life for so long and soon enough he had several relaspes. It was quit crushing but he just learned and learned to be more careful

as far as dropping the ball swisc might consider finding friends that will fight for you. it kind of seems friends rely on swim for some stuff so it puts him in a position of causing drama. maybe he can find a sponser that can focus on helping him out and giving him wisdom. Ill be keeping you in my prayers sc