The "Progression and Regression" Thread

[beena]

SWIM would like to start a thread for all those addicts (like SWIM-self), who keep trying to beat drug addiction but often come up against obstacles (i.e. relapse) repeatedly too.

SWIM thought it would be good to have a thread where people could share their stories about their progression (i.e. when they stopped/how long and how they're finding it) and also their regression (i.e. if they mess up and relapse). So this thread will really be for addicts to support each-other in the battle against addiction (whatever drug it's too doesn't matter either).

SWIM is addicted to crack-cocaine (for 8 long years), opiates (2 years) and heroin (1 year). SWIM is on methadone (1 month) right now but just yesterday relapsed so this next week is going to be really hard for her to get clean yet again. SWIM is quite worried about her predicament....she wants to stop so very much and yet with three addictions to contend with if it's not one drug it's another. SWIM is almost in a constant state of craving something. Also recently SWIM has noticed her alcohol use steadily increasing so she knows she has to nip that one in the bud too or she'll just end up replacing one drug with another.

Life as an addict is so hard, right?

Reputation Comments on this post:

good topic

[Spare Chaynge]

its a constant battle between swims old thought pattern and your new one.. the one that says drugs are bad and if swim uses once swim is a failure.. try not to get into the whole failure type of mind set..

swim has 7 months and things are not always peachy. compared to what they use to be it is but you adjust to normalcy..


swim is in regression mode he has not used in 7 months.. but he thinks more and more about that 14 month sober date. This is the date he has decided to "relapse" swim will see if it changes.. swim thought the longer you go with out drugs the less likely you are to use.. this is true up to about 6 months and then it goes back to normal. Swim is more likely to use now than at 4 months.

swims got sober from a very traumatic incident that happened in California.
http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/sho...light=overdose

sorry about the link please forgive.. Swim feels some background is important.
this is what has given swim the drive to not use drugs or alcohol for 7 months..

SWIY question addressed.

Swim was an opiate addict for about 5 years and used every substance besides meth is so called addictive ways. binge using for summers and such..

Swim can remember how hard it is to get those first 120 days.. It is hard just getting 3 days.
swims live just gets better and better. if you can just get those first 60 days and no longer have cravings you can beat the obsession and win .. The results are a very happy meaningful life..

keep on trucking

[blackdb1]

Swim has been clean off opiates (mainly oxycodone) for 4 months now. He is very happy with himself although he is on suboxone maintenance but he tried soo many times just to end up using again that he decided "plan c" was needed which was maintenance. However tonight swim just took 30mgs of oxy because of family issues!

Swims little brother who is 5 years younger than swim (15 years old) was admitted today and is going through detox now and rehab for 60 days after that! Swim is soo depressed about this as he was REALLY HOPING out-patient detox would be possible!!! Swim has his mind set on NOT using again at all!!! He wishes he wouldn't have slipped up tonight but you can't beat yourself up over one relapse! Swim doesn't have cravings on suboxone but today he did as he was awaken by his little brother telling him he was going to rehab! Swim knows this is the best for his bro and swim himself. Swim now has time to focus 100% on himself! Swims brother recently has been stealing swims benzos (Alprazolam and Klonazepam) leaving swim without the meds he needs for his anxiety. Swim also has had soo much of his effort going into getting his brother clean that he hasn't been able to get out and get a job, get his cars finished, etc. Swim looks at this as time for him and his bro to BOTH work on thereselves and make their relationship better than it was before!

It is just soo hard cause swim and his little bro are best friends!!! The longest they were ever apart was when swim went to Wisconsin for a month to try to get clean for the last time before going on suboxone. Swims little brother was getting really bad with his addiction to opiates that started last September when his bro got in a HORRIBLE 4-wheeler accident! He was up to 120mgs of oxy a day or 30mgs of methadone!!! Swim knows though that he and his brother will be closer than ever when they are both clean and can start riding 4-wheelers, building drag race Hondas and Acuras, fishing, hiking, etc again...

This helped swim get alot off his chest and he prays to all those struggling with addiction and asks you all to keep swim and his brother in yours as well!
-bdb1-

[Spare Chaynge]

good luck with that.. do not beat yourself up for just one relapse.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Great support!!!

[blackdb1]

Swim thanks swiy alot!!! He is focused on just staying clean and keeping himself looking forward to having his brother clean along with him!

It is just very hard to be away from him for that long!!! Like swim said they are best friends and swim quit talking to all of his old buddies cause they ALL used drugs! Swim feels very alone but his relationship with his mother has gotten ALOT better recently so he has her to talk to along with all the great people on this forum!

Thanks again swispare chaynge!!! Everyone be safe and have a great night!!!

[Spare Chaynge]

Losing ones brother can be hard but you will be gaining one back very shortly he will be happier and healthier than hes been in a while when he gets out..

relapse happen as long as they get fewer and farer in between the realapses you are making a lot of progress. sometimes we forget how far we actually have come! do not forget this.