Been clean for 6 months and still think about it

[Godsgirl481]

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[ephraimanesti]

Hi guys,
I have been clean of coke and pain pills for 6 months and I still have dreams about using and wake up craving it. Is this normal? How do you stop it? I hate craving it. Thanks

MY DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST,

i have been clean and sober for a little over 20 years, and i still have occasional drug-dreams and still experience episodes of "euphoric recall" regarding getting buzzed or high. The first year of Recovery was the worst, after that these phenomena tapered off considerably until now i only experience them a few times a year, and at that not very strong--certainly not strong enough to be tempted to pick up over.
i never got into coke--probably because it wasn't a thing with the people i hung with--but i understand that the after-effects of coke are rather unpleasant for the first year due to what coke does to the pleasure centers in the brain--messing up the production of the neurotransmitters which provide the feelings of pleasure and joy in life which we experience. These do eventually return to normal, however, depending on how much you used, how often you used, and for how long you used.
So, YES what you are going through is normal, and NO it definately is not fun! You will, however, survive--assuming you don't pick up no matter what!
Prayer really helps when the cravings hit. i use the Jesus Prayer, repeated over and over until the cravings stop--"LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME!" A little Prayer Rope to hang onto while you are doing this is cool because it gives your body something to focus on while your Spirit is conversing with the Lord.
6 months clean is WAY COOL! MAY GOD KEEP YOU CLEAN AND SOBER UNTIL HE RETURNS!

MUCH LOVE TO YOU IN CHRIST, AND ADMIRATION FOR YOUR RECOVERY,
ephraim

 

[Godsgirl481]

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[buckshowalter]

I got some prayers for you...
Drugs are a real bummer, because they totally control you when you are in a serious addiction, and that stinks because it rips you of feeling really free...

The only good thing that I have experienced from addiction is the feeling of accomplishment when you finally KICK THE HABIT...

So fill yourself with some warm-fuzzies you got 6 months in and with God's help you will get 6 more, and then 7 more after then 8 etc, etc.
anyways all the best

 

[Godsgirl481]

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[Psalms91]

Hey, I just wanted to say that my prayers are with you also. I am on the Drug Task Force on my local police department, don't worry I am not here to investigate, bust, or any of that. Nor am I here to judge you or anyone else. That being said, i know and have witnessed what you are going through. It is an extremely difficult addiction to break. One of the best ways that i am aware of is through a rehab program, i know it sounds dumb and juvenile but they really do work. Whatever your choice is with this is situation is your choice, but just know that God is always there for you and it is never too late to turn to Him. Agian, my prayers are with you. If you ever need someone to talk to or anything i would be glad to help or just be there for you, dont hesitate to shoot me a PM anytime. May God bless you and be with you

 

[cajunlady]

Hello,

My name is Sandy and I am a recovering crack-head. I agree with Psalms91 about the rehab. That was the only thing that helped me. I tried so many times on my own and couldn't do it. I finally hit my worst bottom and checked myself into a detox, then on to a treatment facility, then on to a halfway house..I am now over 8 years clean & sober..and if a crack-head like me can do it, you can, too...I still have using dreams from time to time but guess what, I just thank God that it is only a dream...I suggest that you go to 12-step meetings and stay in constant contact with the Lord on a daily basis. If you need someone to talk to about this I would gladly talk to you...You can PM me anytime...May God bless you...KEEP THE FAITH...

 

[SpankyW2]

Yup you will continue to think about it, sometimes more than others. But it will quiet down as you go on. Remember to take it one day at a time, not 2 or 3 or 4, but one day at a time. When you reach about a year you will be much stronger. Hang around with other Christians who have went through what you are going through. This is a great big help,a Christian sponsor would be best if at all possible. And do be aware of people places and things. And remember that when you get a craving, that they don't last that long, and pray. Call up someone, or come here or to another Christian forum for help, because their are plenty out there.

 

[Godsgirl481]

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[ChuckCuningham]

Thank you. I am not 100% sure a rehab is where I need to be simply because I am not addicted to the drug per-say...I am addicted to being numb....and that started as a small child. Any drug would have been okay for me, coke was just the drug of choice cause 1) it was easy to get and usually free and 2) it numbs you the best...all of you. I started hurting myself when I was around 7 to numb feelings inside, and then started cutting at 18. I never drank or did drugs (other than weed) until I met my boyfriend and he asked me to take a line. After that, the coke did a better job at numbing me than cutting. I moved and now have no connections, and a good church with a pastor that knows about the abuse as a child and the drug past and he emails me a few times a day. If I did it or wanted to do it, I would break down and tell him. I need counseling, yes....rehab though, not real sure.

Hi. I got seriously addicted to pain meds. I tried to do it on my own and stayed clean for a year. I had told my new doctor that I had an addiction to narcotics, so I thought I was safe. Eight months later while treating me for bronchitus she gave me a narcotic in liquid form. It was all I needed to go back out there. The reason that I am telling you this is that this time I have went to an Intensive Outpatient Program and meetings NA/AA. Having people around you that you know you can go to when that critical moment hits can be the difference between staying clean and using.

To be honest I have enjoyed the program and the meetings more than I can ever express. Give it a try and you may be surprised at how much you can get from them.

Good luck and God Bless.

 

[blessedmomof5]

May i ask do you not get counseling at the rehab? when i was at rehab yrsss ago, we did group 4 nights well i did*hangs head* and one on one counseling....we just did not talk about drugs? we talked about life and what brought us to the place we were at...... you do not do that there?

 

[Godsgirl481]

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[blessedmomof5]

hhhhmmmmmmm i some siting in my draw too...ok maybe the church has a pastor of counsling?

 

[Godsgirl481]

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[blessedmomof5]

ok your last paragraph? can you define intense?

 

[Godsgirl481]

ok your last paragraph? can you define intense?

lol....sorry. Nothing bad. Intense like I get mad at God for the past and scream and yell like a salior and curse God cause I am mad at him. After I am done venting, then he throws scriptures in. To me, that's intense

 

[Redstiletto]

Honey,

The only way to beat the cravings is with time and prayer. It will take a while to get rid of those cravings, but you will eventually. Soon you will be craving things like chocolate and Mcdonalds hamburgers instead of drugs.

Just keep God by your side and you will survive anything. You are extremely brave for getting as far as you are. And I am very proud of you!

Nic

 

[AngelDove1]

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hey Godsgirl....

Keep on keeping on.....

You'll have ups and downs...when things look down...God is up to something.

"Hang in there"

 

[chilehed]

Godsgirl,

Yep, what you're going through is normal, happens to everyone. Some call it the disease talking to them, some call it Satan trying to lure them back to drugs. Whatever you care to call it, it WILL pass with time as long as you do what you need to do to stay clean.

Six months clean is a long, long time. I remember how difficult it was, and the best thing I can do for you is to tell you as long as I didn't pick up EVERYTHING got better with time: the choices I made, the situations I found myself in, my ability to deal with those situations, the people I found in my life.

I've been clean for over 18 years, I've seen a lot of people stay clean and I've seen a lot of people go back out and die. Do yourself a favor and take a suggestion from an old fart who's been around the block a few times: going to treatment and/or Narcotics Anonymous is a very good idea.

 

[AngelDove1]

Godsgirl,

Yep, what you're going through is normal, happens to everyone. Some call it the disease talking to them, some call it Satan trying to lure them back to drugs. Whatever you care to call it, it WILL pass with time as long as you do what you need to do to stay clean.

Hi Chilehed,

Yes we can call it what we want,But in my nic of the woods...it's called a CURSE.

The only one that can break it is our Lord Jesus Christ. With our willingness to be willing.

There is power in prayer,be determined and willing to get sobrity.We have to be like Jacob,even if we get a broken HIP...LOL