How to stop relapsing

[ejgregory]

I want to share with everyone who has tried to quit using crack how to program yourself to never use again. As a chronic crack ,user who relapsed more times than I want to admit I fianally had to figure this system out for myself. I have shared this with many crack users with unbelievable results.
Before my system can work you must stop any relationship you have with people using crack, change your phone number, move in with a family member or close and supportive 'never used' friend, (hopefully you still have one

The only reason we do anything is motivated by pain or pleasure. Even though crack use has brought alot of pain to our lives, the euphoric feeling experienced early in each crack binge over-rides the pain brought upon our lives by its use. Because we still relate to crack use ,especially when reflecting on re-using after a few days or weeks, without pain attached relapse is almost certain.
To stop the euphoric feeling or 'pleasure' and replace it with pain. Here's what you must do.
Write down the worst three things you have ever done while on crack or trying to get crack. You DO NOT have to share this with anyone. Reflect on the shame, mistrust, guilt, and PAIN each action brought to yourself and others.
Everyday,and many times each day reflect on at least one of your 'painful' actions and relate it directly to using crack.
Allow yourself to feel BAD about your actions and realize its all because of crack.
Continue reading your list and acknowledging the bad feelings for as long as it takes to replace a pleasure feeling with a feeling of remorse and PAIN. I have found after approximately 3 weeks the brain will start to replace PAIN with pleasure when thinking about using crack.
When your brain acknowledges pain for an action, like putting your hand on a hot stove, it does NOT facilitate a dopamine drip or good feeling from entering your thought process and makes stopping or being fearful of an action the most likely response. Its how our brain works and how we survive in the real world too.
I have not used crack for almost ten years. I was using over 3g a day and relapsed everytime I got out of a rehab/detox situation. Since figuring out a long term plan to rid my life of drugs I have returned to school,graduated as a nurse and currently help those to still out there to get and keep drug free.
If you need any support or suggestions please feel free to email me k.
Good luck, EJGREGORY

[moda00]

Thank you for your post and advice.

Swim finds that this is one of the most important aspects of relapse prevention- the ability to think the action through to the end and acknowledge the negative consequences of use (rather than glorifying past using and thinking only of the positives of using)

This is why AA/NA place emphasis on helping others who are in early recovery, because by doing this one is continually exposed to the negative consequences of use and addiction, although there are certainly multiple ways to approach this.

Also, simple things like you said, making using more difficult, can help- a new phone number, getting rid of old lifestyle choices and habits, not carrying cash, etc. Of course if swiy decides to use, they will find a way, one cannot make it impossible to use, but by removing the easiest routes to relapse one builds in a window of time during which one has more opportunities to think things through and take alternate action like calling someone or getting out and doing another activity.

Best of luck to all who are struggling with staying sober from crack and/or other drugs!~

[ejgregory]

Thanks Moda00 - you got it !!
You are making a difference.
Cheers, Eric