Meth Addiction

Question: How do you stay sober? (meth addiction)?

(Posted by: k on 2009-01-15 11:17:49)

Is there anyone that is addicted to meth? Why is it so hard to get long term sobriety? I have been through so many programs including 12 step programs. How long have you been sober? What has worked for you?

Posted by: monkey on 2009-01-15, 12:10:31

Hi there. i've been off meth for 16 years. i did it myself - no programs and i didn't relapse. i say this only because i know that a lot of people put off quitting until they can get into a 'program' of some sort. no matter what - it all comes down to YOU. no one can stop you from doing it - but you. (oh, that doesn't mean that i don't think programs don't work - they're great for some and not for others. no matter which way you choose to go - it all comes down to YOU.) having said that...the first thing i did when i knew i had to stop was to move away from where i was living and not tell any of my meth-friends that i was leaving or where i was going. it wasn't easy - but you have to get away from it. it's amazing how many people will throw down free lines for you once you say you're trying to quit. it's just way too tempting. somehow, someway, you have to get away from that crowd. i only moved about 15 miles away - you don't have to move cross country. then, and this can be as easy or as complicated as you let your mind make it....you just have to gut it out. you WILL begin to feel better. if you're deep into meth - you're probably feeling like crap most of the time already. you're probably just doing it to feel a little less crappy than you feel when you don't do it. you'll start to eat and sleep - and eventually you'll accept that those are two things you'd rather DO than NOT do. you'll start to think more clearly. you'll realize that going to the grocery store of art supplies at 3:ooam is not normal :Q you just have to keep in mind that that sh** is poison, literally. i've seen them make it and i've seen what goes into it. i believe it's the worst drug out there. if you've been doing it for a while then you've no doubt been spending a lot of time thinking about it. like how much you've got left, how long it's gonna last, where you're going to get more and when - plus how you're going to come up with the money for it. it consumes your life. so, when you stop, you're going to free up a lot of your time thinking about it and doing it and feeling sick from it. it's probably best if you can figure out something to do with that extra time. something to distract you - because you're going to need something to fill up all that time that you used to spend thinking about meth. try to find something you enjoy doing. whatever that may be. maybe volunteer for something - at an animal shelter or something. i don't know, whatever it is that'll occupy your mind. i like to make plush animals/ dolls for children's hospitals. no lie, it's not easy. that's just how it is. but you CAN do it. i'm not a person with huge willpower - not at all. but you've got to realize that there is absolutely nothing good that can come from continuing to do meth. NOTHING...think about it. sure, it's fun at first, but it doesn't stay fun for long. after the short 'honeymoon period' it's downhill. i lost most of my teeth to it - not to mention several years of my 20's to it. i'll tell you the moment that made me quit...i was watching my boyfriend lay next to me and i could see how fast his heart was beating through his chest and i just thought "We can't live much longer like this...it's going to kill us. " i thinki was more concerned about him than myself...or how my parents would feel if i died. so, when it comes down to it - it's all in YOU to do this. if you want to do it - you CAN do it. it's just as simple and just as complicated as that. for me, i think the key was getting away from the people who did it and the people i could get it from. sorry this is so long - but it's a tough problem. i wish you the absolute best in this. it's not easy - but it's soooo worth it. . after a while you ARE meth. you run on it. you CAN get your life back and the sooner the better. good luck to you.

Posted by: Alex W on 2009-01-15, 11:25:08

Other people forcing you to be sober doesn't always work because you have to want to be sober. Going to a 12 step program feels like work probably, but if you find a reason FOR YOURSELF to stay sober, it will be a lot easier. Family, friends, kids, work, health. Any of these things should be enough for you to want to stay sober.

Posted by: Taf on 2009-01-15, 11:27:55

I am ex-alcohol only. Though 26 yrs sober, first 12 in AA. I left as I didn't agree with the 12 steps. If I was getting sober again (or clean) I would take a look at smartrecovery.org. Good luck.

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Posted by: catlady on 2009-01-15, 11:49:43

I have been sober 14 years using AA. I never tried meth; never even heard about it until after I was sober. I did sponsor women in AA though, who were meth users as well as drinkers. They were all in a live-in treatment center that lasts 9 months. It is a work-program; there is no "charge " to stay there but they find you a job and the money you make goes to the facility. You may be able to find something similar in your area. They teach you how to live your life without drugs in the long term. 30 days of treatment isn't long enough for a serious long-term addict. I think the key to staying sober is committing to it one day at a time or one second at a time if necessary. I personally have the mindset that alcohol and drugs are no longer an option for me (I used to smoke pot too and tried lots of other stuff). Using a mind-altering chemical only made things worse, never better. Support is also very important and helpful. AA and NA are free and you won't believe how understanding and helpful people are. You said you've been "through " so many programs, but did you try being "in " them? Like actually reading the literature, actually taking the steps and attending meetings, doing service work etc.? There is no magic answer. Maybe AA or NA isn't for you. But if you don't want to die, you will find SOMETHING that works for you. There is a new meth hotline in Oklahoma--you just have to dial 211. Maybe there's something like that in your area. Good luck and God bless.

Posted by: ps@yahoo on 2009-01-15, 12:33:05

You yourself know only too well what the answer to your question should be.Stop any form of drugs, unless they have been professionally prescribed.

Posted by: Ted F on 2009-01-15, 12:44:34

My good friend's cousin was addicted to meth for a while. He first started experimenting with it his sophomore year in college and from there things just went down the drain. Although he tried to recover multiple times on his own and through those twelve step programs, he said the (and this is funny cause it's your exact question) that the hardest part was every time he thought he was making progress, he would be tempted to do it again, and since it was so easy to access he would just get it and start using again. Therefore, we sent him to rehab, where he could recover in a temptation-free environment, and it REALLY helped. So I would recommend doing some research on different rehab centers, places where you can recover in a temptation-free environment. The internet is a great place to start; sites like recovery connection.org have lists of rehab centers for your local area. Hope this helped!

Posted by: phlebogal45 on 2009-01-15, 14:56:06

I am not a addict but my daughter is. she is in jail now and is being charged with drug posession, burglary, stolen vehicle, receiving stolen property. her husband is in jail with 11 county against him. Their 3 yr old child is living with the grandparents. He is wondering where his mom and dad are. He hasn't seen them in 2 months. This drug WILL destroy your life and your family's life. Just think of what your mom is going thru. I haven't stopped crying since she got arrested. The worst thing was seeing my daughter shackled in chains.