Suggestions for coping strategies in the face of the desire to use/relapse?

[piggyinthemiddle]

Hi,

First of all, please allow me to apologise if this is an old topic. I searched through the forum for a couple of days and couldn't find any answers.

What I did find however, was lots of posts from people saying they were tempted to use or using and hating themselves for it.

S.W.I.M has only one strategy really. That is to go to the pub any time he has spare money and the desire to use, and buy a round, so the cash isn't burning a bag shaped hole in his pocket. Not very sensible or effective.

Does anyone have any better suggestions? Please?

[Junket]

Originally Posted by piggyinthemiddle

Hi,

First of all, please allow me to apologise if this is an old topic. I searched through the forum for a couple of days and couldn't find any answers.

What I did find however, was lots of posts from people saying they were tempted to use or using and hating themselves for it.

S.W.I.M has only one strategy really. That is to go to the pub any time he has spare money and the desire to use, and buy a round, so the cash isn't burning a bag shaped hole in his pocket. Not very sensible or effective.

Does anyone have any better suggestions? Please?

Do you have a girlfriend?

Going to her house when you have a desire to use is way better than a pub..

[piggyinthemiddle]

S.W.I.M just split up with S.W.I her. I guess S.W. wasn't us were co-dependant and having given up using ( in treatment still though ) had no more reason to be together! Such a traumatic time, and it's since then S.W.I.M has been struggling a bit to find ways to 'talk myself out of it' so to speak.

[tryptamaster]

Dont call me a redneck but fishing can be good. It doesnt involve drugs but goin with a friend can be very relaxing and enjoyable. Also the adredaline of a huge fish really is a drug in itself. Swim and another swim have found fishing has really helped them ween off drugs. and pm me if u need ANY fishing advice haha!!!

Reputation Comments on this post:

hahhaa... good one.

[beena]

Originally Posted by piggyinthemiddle

Hi,

First of all, please allow me to apologise if this is an old topic. I searched through the forum for a couple of days and couldn't find any answers.

What I did find however, was lots of posts from people saying they were tempted to use or using and hating themselves for it.

S.W.I.M has only one strategy really. That is to go to the pub any time he has spare money and the desire to use, and buy a round, so the cash isn't burning a bag shaped hole in his pocket. Not very sensible or effective.

Does anyone have any better suggestions? Please?

SWIM doesn't think going to the pub would be a very good idea cos if SWIY gets drunk then SWIYs inhabitions are lowered and that would probably make SWIY more likely to give into temptation. Well alcohol is certainly a trigger for SWIM anyway.

Unfortunately SWIM hasn't really found the thing that works totally for her yet either so can't really advise. The one thing that has worked on occasion for SWIM when she was craving drugs and didn't want to use was to go and see a non-drug taking friend and spend some time with them. A few times she has even told them why she has come to see them (ie cos she is craving drugs but doesn't want to give in). That way said friend knows the score and (if they are a good friend) will do all they can to support SWIY and stop SWIY relapsing.

[Lobsang]

NA and AA meetings are pretty good for that. You do not even hav to believe in the program. But you get to listen to a bunch of people. It can be like going to a show. They have them day and night.

[piggyinthemiddle]

So, if one were to discount going to the pub, that would leave:

1- Going fishing ( I don't see why that should be considered redneck) Tx Tryptamaster.

2- Meeting friends or the Girl/boy friend. ( S.W.I.M did actually set it up so his friends knew what was going on, but it took so long to stop using... S.W.I.M will speak to them again so they understand ) Thanks Junket and Beena

3- AA/NA meetings, I Guess one could add it to their list, nothing ventured,nothing gained, right?

This is SO COOL, keep 'em coming please.

[msmogadon]

Walk a mile every day
Drink water - a lot
Keep a diary or just write down the thoughts in SWIYs head then look back on them and see how far SWIY have come
Get a gym membership - and use it

Reputation Comments on this post:

some good points to prevent relapse.

[beena]

Originally Posted by msmogadon

Walk a mile every day
Drink water - a lot
Keep a diary or just write down the thoughts in SWIYs head then look back on them and see how far SWIY have come
Get a gym membership - and use it

Yes, some good ideas here: SWIM started keeping a journal a while ago and she records the periods when she is doing well and also when she relapses. This is a good way of keeping track of any changes in the pattern of SWIY's addiction too (ie if you increase drug-taking). SWIM has sometimes been shocked at her own drug-use and this can spur her into action. Also exercise is very good because it releases endorphins and serotin into the brain which are depleted by heavy drug-use and can cause depression, so exercise is a good way of combatting this (and it will fill SWIYs time - too much time on SWIYs hands will probably lead to relapse).

[jon-q]

[quote=piggyinthemiddle;461515]Hi,
Does anyone have any better suggestions? Please?
well done on getting clean,things will get easier day by day.
The thing to do is keep busy do anything read a book,go to the fliks,go shopping and treat your self,join a gym and go chill in the sauna,climb your nearest biggest hill.just do anything that will take your mind off drugs.
swim was told to write a list :all the pros of using and all the cons of using it can be a real eye opener.lastly what did you do before you got into drugs try re-visiting some of these.keep up the good work

[beena]

Oh yeah....thats another thing....Jon-Q just reminded me....SWIM wrote a list of the reasons she wanted to stop using and also some of the goals she wanted to achieve (goals that she would be unlikely to achieve if she was using) and she is carrying around this piece of paper with her on a daily basis, then if SWIM gets tempted to use again she can whip said piece of paper out and remind herself of all the reasons she has for stopping. Dunno if this will work but it was a suggestion her keyworker gave to her and she's at the stage of trying anything to stop. Hope it helps SWIY.

[msmogadon]

Originally Posted by beena

Yes, some good ideas here: SWIM started keeping a journal a while ago and she records the periods when she is doing well and also when she relapses. This is a good way of keeping track of any changes in the pattern of SWIY's addiction too (ie if you increase drug-taking). SWIM has sometimes been shocked at her own drug-use and this can spur her into action. Also exercise is very good because it releases endorphins and serotin into the brain which are depleted by heavy drug-use and can cause depression, so exercise is a good way of combatting this (and it will fill SWIYs time - too much time on SWIYs hands will probably lead to relapse).

Yeah SWIM knows exactly what she should be doing its just putting it into practice thats the hard part

[Junket]

Writing in a journal isn't too hard.

Swim does the same, he sometimes writes just what is on his mind, what he is feeling.

but more often, he writes his thoughts in rhyme/lyrics.. it makes it sort of fun to read/write and more rewarding..

[Lisa J]

For SWIM being part of an ongoing drugs program helped a lot. The first one she was in was for people who were still using but wanted help and support, the second was for those that wanted to change their use, either reduce or stop or go on maintenance. The third one was for relapse avoidance which SWIM has done for 6 months, unfortunately SWIM was told she couldn't do this anymore as her "problem has been dealt with and SWIM needs to move on". SWIM is still on methadone and has slipped on heroin a couple of times since she's been unable to do the group, she had a meeting with her key worker yesterday to discuss this but after an hours journey to get there SWIM found the woman was out sick and hadn't even bothered to let SWIM know. SWIM was in an area full of users/dealers and very much in a "fuck it" state of mind but had enough sense to call a friend and meet up with him instead. Relapse avoidance was working very well for SWIM and she thinks she should be able to continue with it for as long as needed, 6 months isn't very long compared to 25 years of opiate addiction.
Sorry SWIM'S gone off track a bit but definitely recommends getting involved in a good drugs program, you not only get help learning how to deal with the problem but SWIM found she made some good friends who understand each others worries/fears and can give support any time, day or night.

[thebige]

Well this will not work in all situations but....... When cravings are gettin the better of you.....find something to do that could/might help take your mind off of it. And then try to figure out how much time it would take you to go pick up/cop/score...go through the ER system or get to a car to huff the fumes from the gas tank. Since you are a junkie/addict you can figure this time out to the minute and you looking at the clock every couple of seconds and wondering why time is going so slow anyway,.............WELL.....by the time it would take you to do whatever to get your drug....the cravings will sometimes have passed. Your results may/will vary thebige

[piggyinthemiddle]

Any chance you could repost that thebige, its a little unclear.

[leadcoffin]

Most hobbies will take up a portion of your discretionary income without leaving your pockets totally empty. Remodel a room, knit a sweater, or if the hamster is male, try turning an old junker of a car into something that runs. Whatever it is, the hands should get dirty and cut for the best feeling of accomplishment.
Tell your friend to hang in there!

Reputation Comments on this post:

	nice suggestion
	good ideas.

[msmogadon]

Originally Posted by leadcoffin

Remodel a room,
Whatever it is, the hands should get dirty

Yeah that ones a good one. SWIY can do this as a way of 'out with the old in with the new'
The surroundings that SWIY used to use in will be changed so everywhere SWIY looks it won't remind him of gear

[thebige]

Thank you Piggy for pointing that out.Come to think of it,alot of things were unclear at the time of posting.So--- I think the bottomline is by the time it takes you to go get your drug of choice,a craving might just pass.Just say that you had to get in your car to drive to grab your doc,the driving might just take your mind off of it,and you just found something to do........better? Of course this might not work if you leave your doc sitting in front of you day and night. Your results may/will vary

[beena]

A friend of SWIMs mentioned to her the other day that accupuncture is apparently supposed to be really good for helping people deal with cravings. SWIM knows of a place near where she lives that does ear-accupuncture for drug addicts so I guess there must be some validity in this bit of info...

Reputation Comments on this post:

yeah, i've heard of this being effective as well... as weird as it sounds!

[Junket]

Ya I guess accupuncture is really good for all around well being and health.. I have a friend whose mom swears by it..

who knows though.

which reminds me of a family guy episode...

"hey doc, do you have to keep the poison tipped needles right next to the normal needles?"

asian doctor is like "WHAT DO THEY SAY??"

LOL

[Dickon]

I've skimmed through this thread rather quickly, but the one thing I didn't notice mentioned (I only skimmed so forgive me if I'm repeating someone) is spiritual practice. For me any kind of Christian worship (or conversion to Islam, Judeism) was out of the question. But I found Tai Chi, Zen Meditation, Yoga and Martial Arts all useful. Just a thought

Dr D

[msmogadon]

Originally Posted by beena

A friend of SWIMs mentioned to her the other day that accupuncture is apparently supposed to be really good for helping people deal with cravings. SWIM knows of a place near where she lives that does ear-accupuncture for drug addicts so I guess there must be some validity in this bit of info...

Auricular acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of drug & alcohol dependency. According to some of the people SWIM was in her first rehab with it can give immediate relief from cravings.
There are 5 main points in the ear and needles are inserted into these points.
SYMPATHETIC point: Promotes the body's release of endorphins, which helps with pain relief and relaxing the internal organs.
SHENMEN point: Calms the mind, reduces stress and helps promote sleep
LUNG point: Involved in immunity and protects the body from disease and also helps with breathing and circulation. Aids and accelerates the rate of detox.
KIDNEY point: Helps kidney function and digestion. Gives relief from kidney damage caused by drug/alcohol abuse.
LIVER point: Helps the liver repair from damage also cause by drug/alcohol abuse and is also believed to keep emotions and other systems working smoothly

Explinations differ as to how auricular accupunture works. The chinese tell us that by stimulating particular points in the ear, your chi energy is cleared of blockages and is free to flow naturally. Western medicine explains that nerves in the ear when stimulated promote an electrochemical response in the brain, releasing dopamine and endorphins which promote feekings of well being and rebalance brain chemistry altered through drug or alcohol use.
Auricular acupuncture offers no side effects and is non-addictive reduces anxiety, depression and aids withdrawls. Now that has to be worth the discomfort of 5 tiny pins.

This is what SWIM was told at rehab, however SWIM never stayed at rehab long enough to find out. Also it was over Christmas so the person was on holiday.
Drugs Action which is the place SWIM atends for drug counselling offers auricular acupuncture once a week. SWIM has meant to go many times but SWIM has a VERY VERY hectic life and has not yet managed to attend. SWIM is also not clean and is not sure if they would only accept those who are detoxing.
SWIM will report back when she has given it a go.

[Spaazkaz]

These are all good suggestions. I really think the gym kept me from using for a while. since ive stopped going to the gym my urge to use has skyrocketed. You keep your mind occupied psychologically as well as physically, you have all your attention on that one thing and its hard to think about anything else. Its been proven to release an intoxicating amount of happy chemicals thus creating a natural high, an awesome experience, everytime.

[Dickon]

Dickon, the pathological lier speaks.....caveat lector

A couple of other things spring to mind. The most obvious of which is to join a recovery fellowship, the biggest one being N.A. (I think....don't ask for evidence). I learned a huge amount there. Listening to tens of other people who've been through the same stuff you're going through and hearing how they got through it can be really helpful. It's also a great way to establish a network of new friends. If you're whole social network involves drug-users, it will be extra-extra-extra hard to stay clean. The advice is to distance yourself from people still using, as this is likely to lead to temptation. Give up alcohol too. It lowers inhibitions and resolve.

Speaking personally I am inordinately grateful to NA for what I learnt there from 3 1/2 years or so of membership. This time round, I'm into day 6 of a methadone detox, I'm not going to go to NA. But without what I learned there what I'm doing now would be impossible. Even if the 12-steps baffle and frighten, and if the word God presents a problem, it's God as you understand God (so God as I understand God is some fictious concept invented by other people is a valid way for you to understand God, or God is the universe, etc. etc. Atheism is NO reason not to go to NA, but is an often quoted one), it's worth a look in. A few idiots might try and push their views on you, but that is not what most members will do. I experienced love and friendship from these guys when I needed it most.

If for whatever reason you find a fellowship not for you (it's often a last resort when all else has failed) trying to establish a network of friends who are not using is all-but essential.

One other simple fact : It's better out than in. If you are being really tempted to use drugs, tell someone. Talking through insane or dangerous thoughts is the best way to disempower them. Seriously, I've no idea how it works, but it does.

Good luck

D